Roses is an annual competition between Lancaster and York Universities, organised by the host Students' Union, with over 45 different sports over one weekend.
A major highlight of the University calendar, Roses is the annual intervarsity tournament between Lancaster University and our sporting rivals, the University of York.
Roses 2026 is hosted by Lancaster University Students’ Union and will take place from Friday 1 May to Sunday 3 May, right here on campus.
The Roses competition hosts many non-traditional sports.
Named after the historic War of the Roses, the first tournament took place in 1965, when York challenged Lancaster to a boat race. It quickly grew into a much larger event and has remained a valued tradition ever since.
Every year during the Early May Bank Holiday, Lancaster and York take turns hosting one of the biggest intervarsity competitions in Europe. Over three days, the two universities go head-to-head in more than 140 fixtures across more than 45 sports.
Students, staff, alumni and the local community come together for a celebration that’s about more than just sport. It’s about standing together and showing pride in Lancaster.
Lancaster has won the Roses for four consecutive years. This year, we have the chance to make history by securing a fifth victory in a row and proving once again that roses are red.
Every student should experience Roses because it،¯s when Lancaster University truly turns into a community where everyone has the same goal.
Photograph: Lancaster University Students' Union
The Roses 2024 competition featured a wide range of events.
Students can represent the University and show their pride for Lancaster by competing in the tournament. Every sprint, every leap, and every play reflects the determination and passion of our sporting community.
Alongside traditional sports such as netball, football, rugby and cricket, Roses features a range of other events. These cover sports from archery to karting, and events such as ballroom dancing, esports and tabletop gaming.
Beyond the competitions, the weekend offers a festival-like atmosphere, with street food stalls and merchandise in the Roses Village, as well as live music and society performances.
There are plenty of ways for everyone to get involved beyond competing on the pitches and courts. You might wear your colours and cheer on friends from the crowd, or join one of our student media teams.
Over the weekend, is broadcast across our student television station (LA1TV), radio station (Bailrigg FM) and newspaper (SCAN), bringing the action to audiences on and off campus.
The buzz leading up to Roses can be felt across the whole campus, as our Students’ Union, Sport Lancaster, student athletes and societies work tirelessly to make Roses an unforgettable experience. So get involved, show your support, and soak up the electrifying atmosphere at this unmissable event.
This year, Lancaster University Students’ Union is hosting Roses in partnership with the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), helping to raise money for this important cause.
