The 2024 Men’s Scottish Varsity Match
We are delighted to announce details of the Men’s Scottish Varsity Rugby Match for 2024.
The event is supported by official event partners Campus Living Villages and run in partnership with Edinburgh Rugby.
University of Edinburgh v University of St Andrews
This year we are excited to be working with Edinburgh Rugby to bring over 7000 students, staff and the wider communities of both Universities to Hive Stadium, Edinburgh for what is believed to be the oldest varsity match in the world. The game will kick-off at 2pm on Saturday 21 September, at Hive Stadium, Edinburgh with tickets from £10 for students/ U18s and £15 for adults.
Tickets will go on sale Monday 19 August 2024 with more information on how to purchase coming soon.
Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director Douglas Struth said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting the historic 2024 men’s Scottish Varsity Match at Hive Stadium, helping us kick-off the new season in the Scottish capital.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the deep-rooted traditions of Scottish university rugby, while supporting the match aligns perfectly with our collaborative values.
Hosting the men’s varsity match further strengthens our excellent partnership with The University of Edinburgh, and we look forward to welcoming a passionate crowd of students and supporters to Hive Stadium.”
An Ancient Rivalry
Formed in 1857 and 1858, respectively, Edinburgh University RFC and the University of St Andrews RFC are two of the oldest rugby clubs in the world, with only Edinburgh Academical FC claiming a longer existence in Scotland. The fixture between the two clubs, dating back more than 160 years, is believed to predate the annual Oxford versus Cambridge Varsity Match.
Mark Munro, Director of Sport & Active Health at the University of Edinburgh, said:
“We are deeply grateful to our partners, Edinburgh Rugby, for facilitating this match at the magnificent Hive Stadium, located in the shadows of Murrayfield. The University of Edinburgh and St Andrews boast two of the oldest rugby clubs in the country, and this event marks the world’s oldest known varsity fixture.
Last year’s match was a thrilling contest that went right down to the wire. I strongly encourage everyone to purchase their tickets early, as this year’s game promises to be a spectacular event with a full house anticipated. We are hoping to see a strong turnout of UoE supporters to make the day even more special!”
Dave Morris, Director of Rugby at the University of St Andrews, said:
“It is very exciting to bring the Scottish Varsity to Hive Stadium. It will be a great occasion between two very motivated and proud teams playing hard for the bragging rights for their respective university. We hope for a big crowd so we can showcase Scottish student rugby.
On behalf of Saints Rugby we would like to thank Edinburgh Rugby for hosting the game. We are also very appreciative for the hard work and collaboration by so many at St Andrews and the University of Edinburgh to bring this event to life.”
The event was reintroduced in 2011 at the Richmond Athletic ground in London before returning to Scotland, on the International Pitch at BT Murrayfield, between 2014 and 2019. Following a two-year hiatus, due the global Corona virus pandemic, the fixture returned in 2021 played at University home grounds before moving to Hive Stadium for 2024.
Following a closely contested match last year on St Andrews home soil which saw Edinburgh take the title with a 32-29 win, both teams are eager to take to the field again.
Fergus Cato, 1st Team Captain at the University of St Andrews, said:
“After a closely fought contest last year, the Saints are eager to begin their pre-season campaign. We look forward to competing at what will be a great spectacle. The privilege of playing in the Ancient Rivalry, at a sold out Hive is going to make the competition for jerseys extremely fierce. We can’t wait.”
Henry Turnbull, 1st team player at the University of Edinburgh, said:
“For EURFC, the varsity game has always been a momentous occasion in our rugby calendar. Firstly, to settle the score with our closest rivals, but also in allowing players to become part of the rich history we share with St Andrews. This year is particularly special, and the boys are really excited as the game returns to Murrayfield (Hive Stadium). Playing in a stadium grows the occasion for both the boys playing and the crowd watching. Hopefully we can pack the stands, building excitement around the game and create an atmosphere which places varsity back at the top as the premier social occasion in the university calendar.”
The Women’s Scottish Varsity match
Equality is at the heart of both the University of Edinburgh and University of St Andrews sporting ethos and both Universities are completely committed to supporting their women’s rugby programmes, women’s rugby and women’s sport.
Since the introduction of the Women’s Varsity match in 2014, it has become clear that there is a clear disparity between the two women’s teams. We have therefore made the difficult decision, in consultation with, and supported by, both the Edinburgh and St Andrews Women’s Rugby Clubs, that to protect player welfare and safety we will be unable to stage a Women’s Varsity fixture this year.
Both Universities will be offering alternative support during this year to their respective clubs.