The wait is finally over! The electric atmosphere, the roaring crowds, and the sheer brilliance of university football return for the 2026 Varsity Football tournament. The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Senior Men’s Team is aiming for a second title after five years, while the ladies wish to rectify their mistakes from the 2025 final to clinch a third championship medal.
With both the Men’s and Women’s teams geared up for action, UJ is positioned to be the heartbeat of the tournament. Here is a look at the thrilling journey ahead and why the orange flag will fly higher than ever this year.
The Men’s Campaign: Lighting up the UJ Soweto Stadium
The UJ Men’s team is heading into the tournament with maximum visibility and the massive advantage of playing in front of their passionate home crowd. Out of their campaign, UJ has secured 4 massive, televised matches (2 home and 2 away) and will be hosting 4 high-stakes games on their own turf.
The road to glory begins with a blockbuster opening night, right in the heart of home fortress on Friday night, 7 August 2026 against regular rivals Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Men’s Team – a tough clash to ignite the season. The epic curtain-raiser (Round 1) kicks off at 19:15 live on SuperSport TV. The UJ Soweto Stadium will transform into a cauldron of noise and colour.
Speaking ahead of the tournament Campus launch at UJ, the men’s team Head Coach Karabo Mogudi says, “We have a better experienced team compared to last year. The guys are battle scarred from last season’s campaign and raring to go all the way this year. University teams are always in transition, but we have stabilised well this year. We have built a solid team that will carry us for a good few years. I expect an exciting edition this year. Our motto says it all and we aim to go All The Way.”
In Round 2, follows the away tests. UJ hits the road to face the Durban University of Technology in Pietermaritzburg on 14 August at the Harry Gwala Stadium (TV game, 19:15). In Round 3, the UJ Men welcomes new kid on the block, University of Limpopo (UL), to the UJ Soweto Stadium. Round 4 brings a massive Johannesburg derby against Wits on 28 August at Wits Stadium (TV game, 19:15) before welcoming the University of Free State in Soweto on 04 September at 18:30 to wrap up their home round-robin games with a televised spectacle against UWC on 11 September at 17:00.
The final push (Round 7) will conclude with a thrilling away clash against the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) on 18 September (18:30) at the Tuks Stadium, setting the stage for the semi-finals on 25 September and the grand final on 02 October.
The Women’s Campaign: Seeding the top spot
The UJ spectators would be please to know that the last three matches of the Women’s Varsity Football tournament will be played at Wits University – this proximity would likely attract the home crowd to the neighbours’ turf for support. The UJ Ladies step into the 2026 tournament with a fresh memory from losing to the University of the Western Cape in the final in 2025 at the UJ Soweto Stadium.
The female Orange Army kicks off Women’s Month with the highly anticipated “Tuks Bumper Weekend Fixtures” on 01 and 02 August in Tshwane, followed by the “Wits Bumper” the next weekend.
In the same breath as their male counterparts, the UJ Ladies take centre stage at the TUKS Stadium for a massive televised opening match against rivals TUT 01 August 2026 at 17:30.
In Round 2, UJ keeps the momentum going the very next day, 02 August 2026 at 15:00, facing another Tshwane side UP-Tuks Ladies at the B Field. Round 3 and 4 action moves to the Wits Bumper, where UJ meets iUyunivesithi Walter Sisulu (IWS) on 08 August 2026 at 15:00 (Bozzoli Fields), followed by a televised encounter against the UL Ladies on Women’s Day (09 August 2026) at 17:30 at the Wits Stadium.
“We are proud of the history we have built in this competition, but our focus is firmly on the opportunity ahead. This group has worked exceptionally hard and is determined to represent the University of Johannesburg with pride, passion, and excellence,” says Nthabeleng Modiko, Head Coach: UJ Women’s Team.
With the semi-finals locked in for 10 August and the final scheduled for 19 August 2026, the UJ Women’s Team has everything it takes to go all the way and bring the silverware home.
On the cards, community pride and rewriting history make up the strategic intend of all participating eight teams in this year’s season.
Modiko also praised Varsity Football as a platform that provides a valuable opportunity for showcasing the quality of football at UJ. “We look forward to seeing our supporters rally behind the Orange Army as we pursue our goal of bringing the trophy back to Johannesburg,” she says.
Visit www.varsityfootball.co.za to purchase match tickets and follow UJ Sport on Facebook, X and Instagram for daily updates.
