Meet the teams
Introducing our teams, ready to take on their Varsity rivals.
Varsity lineup
American Football
After dropping out of Varsity last year, American Football make a big return, and there’s already a storyline. In their only head-to-head this season, UoM edged Man Met 16–14, a tight one that showed just how much fight Man Met have.
Archery
A Varsity newcomer – UoM arrive with a reputation for consistency and tight grouping under pressure, while Man Met have spent the year sharpening their technique and building depth in their squad. We’re excited to see this action unfold.
Badminton
UoM claimed last year’s Varsity point, but this season tells a different story. Across the head‑to‑heads, Man Met women took a standout win while the men fell short. It makes for an overall unpredictable picture. Both sides know they can beat each other, and both will arrive ready to graft for every rally.
Basketball (men’s)
A Varsity favourite. Last year, the men’s 1s opened Varsity with a Man Met win – and they’ve carried that swagger into this season. Head‑to‑head, Man Met 3s secured a solid win and the Men’s 1s also took the National Trophy meeting. UoM did snatch a close one back in a different tier, but overall Man Met enter Varsity slightly ahead on form. Expect noise. Expect tempo. Expect chaos.
Basketball (women’s)
One game, full fire. Man Met Women’s 1s have dominated the rivalry this season with two clear wins. UoM are capable of big performances but will enter Varsity as the ones with more to prove. Sparks will fly – but will they be purple or blorange?
Cricket
A brand‑new addition this year, and both squads are buzzing for the chance to bring cricket into the Varsity spotlight. Although the teams haven’t met head‑to‑head this season, both sides have built momentum in their own leagues. With nothing but fresh ground between them, it’s set up to be one of those fixtures where anyone could make the first mark in this new Varsity chapter..
Darts
Another new sport for 2026 – and because these two sides haven’t faced each other this season, this is truly a wildcard fixture. Expect that classic pub‑sport tension: steady hands, quick maths, and a whole lot of whisper‑level drama until someone nails the winning check‑out.
Dodgeball
Only a single head‑to‑head this season, but it was a spicy one. Man Met took it 15–13 in a tight, scrappy affair. That gives them momentum, but dodgeball is unpredictable at the best of times. Expect last‑person‑standing drama.
Football (men’s)
Always a Varsity headliner. Last year’s penalty‑shootout “technical” win for UoM still stings for Man Met – especially because this season, the story has flipped completely. Man Met 1s have beaten UoM two times already, including a composed 2–0 National Trophy victory.
This one is set up perfectly: two sides who know each other inside out, both with big‑game players, and both desperate to write the next chapter of the rivalry.
Football (women’s)
A mixed set of results this year. Man Met 1s put in some huge scorelines against other unis, and in the rivalry itself, they delivered a strong 13–1 win over UoM 3s. With Man Met holding the Varsity title, UoM enter this with something to prove – the perfect recipe for drama.
Futsal
A lively rivalry this season. Man Met took a big win in the men’s 2s meeting (7–2), while UoM edged the men’s 1s clash (10–9) in a thriller. With both teams having tasted victory, the Varsity fixtures feel set to be equally frantic and full of goals.
Golf
Man Met took the early-season meeting (4–2) but UoM answered back in later competitions. It makes this Varsity matchup quietly tense – two well-matched groups who both fancy their chances on the day.
Hockey
UoM have taken several key wins this season – including victories in women’s Tier 2 and Open fixtures – but Man Met have hit back in others, such as their 8-4 win in the Open Northern Tier 2. It’s a beautifully chaotic mix: some narrow losses, some heavy wins, swings in both directions. Expect fast, physical games with plenty of needle.
Karting
New and guaranteed to be chaotic in all the best ways. With no previous head‑to‑heads this season, it’s impossible to call – but both teams have been talking this one up. Expect nerves, overtakes, spins, and more. Not to be missed.
Lacrosse
This year’s head-to-head meetings have been tough for both sides – close contests in some tiers, big scorelines in others. Based on last year, UoM women look set to dominate whilst Man Met’s men took an easy win, which leaves Varsity wide open. It’s a sport where momentum can flip in seconds, and these teams know that more than anyone.
Netball
One of the busiest rivalries this season. Results have see-sawed: Man Met 6s grabbed a tight one (49–42), UoM 1s hit back in higher tiers, and middle-tier clashes like 35–33 show how evenly matched many of these teams are. Expect a loud hall, 50/50 calls, and after last year’s UoM clean sweep, absolutely no one giving an inch.
Padel
New, fun, pressure-free – and with no prior meetings between the two sides, it’s pure vibes. A great watch for fast rallies and easy atmosphere.
Rugby League
A single rivalry game this season, and UoM took it 22–6. Man Met will want revenge and a repeat of last year’s Varsity victory. Rugby League is always high-impact and this fixture will be no different.
Rugby Union (men’s)
A busy rivalry this year with mixed fortunes. Man Met grabbed a strong early-season win but UoM answered back in the Northern Tier 2 clash. In the men’s headline fixture, Man Met go in as firm favourites after last year’s clear victory but playing on home turf, UoM won’t go down easy.
Rugby Union (women’s)
UoM 1s faced a heavy loss in the National Trophy and Man Met 1s also took their previous meeting. That puts Man Met as favourites – but with both fixtures on UoM home turf as the Varsity opener, anything could happen. The action will set the tone for the whole event and both sides are more than ready for it.
Squash
Man Met have shown real strength in the rivalry this season, including a standout 5–0 win in the men’s Tier 1 meeting. UoM have had their moments too, particularly in women’s fixtures. The exhibition match will let both sides show their flair pressure-free, but the scoring fixtures will be properly competitive.
Swimming
No direct head-to-heads this season – but both universities have strong swim programmes and regularly put on some of the most supportive, feel-good Varsity atmospheres. Man Met head into this as twice-varsity swimming champions – can they do it for a third year running? UoM will certainly want to make it difficult for them.
Table Tennis
These sides have met a few times this season, with UoM typically taking the edge in men’s fixtures while Man Met women’s 1s secured strong wins elsewhere. Expect blisteringly quick rallies and tiny margins.
Tennis
A very active rivalry. UoM men’s 1s took multiple head-to-heads, while Man Met women’s 1s held UoM to a 3-3 draw. It paints a picture of a rivalry split by gender – one side dominant in men’s, the other highly competitive in women’s.
Volleyball
A really mixed bag this season. Man Met men’s 1s took all their rivalry fixtures, while UoM women’s 1s have been strong in earlier seasons but haven’t faced as many direct matchups this year. With a packed Varsity crowd, volleyball always feels electric and the men’s 1s finale at Platt Lane looks set to be an absolute scorcher.
Water Polo
One rivalry match in the file shows UoM taking a tough loss. This, combined with last year’s victory gives Man Met all the confidence heading into Varsity. But water polo is chaotic by nature, and one big quarter can flip momentum completely. The ongoing rivalry between these two sides will make this an absolute spectacle and not one to be missed.