Varsity Polo Match

About the Tournament

The Varsity Polo Match between Oxford and Cambridge Universities is one of the oldest inter-varsity sporting contests in Britain, with a tradition dating back to 1878 — predating many of the major polo tournaments that exist today. The match is played annually and represents the pinnacle of British university polo, bringing together the two most famous universities in the world in a sporting rivalry that has produced many of the sport's future stars and enthusiasts. The fixture carries the weight of 140-plus years of history and is an important social occasion in the British polo calendar, attracting former players, university polo supporters, and polo enthusiasts who value the continuity of tradition in a rapidly changing sport. Both Oxford and Cambridge maintain active polo clubs with strong coaching programmes and the support of the USPA and HPA polo development structures. The match is typically played at one of England's leading polo clubs and is accompanied by the social festivities that characterise the best British sporting occasions. For participants, playing in the Varsity Match is an achievement that stays with them throughout their polo careers.