The wait is over. Varsity Football is back, and the University of the Free State is ready to begin defending its title.

After a historic 2025 campaign that saw the University of the Free State (UFS) lifting the Varsity Football trophy against all odds, the defending champions are preparing to launch their title defence when they host the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein on Friday 7 August 2026.

With Varsity Football officially underway, the university is calling on students, staff, alumni, and the broader Bloemfontein community to rally behind the UFS Blues as they embark on another exciting campaign.

Varsity Football has grown into one of South Africa's premier university sporting competitions, drawing support from campuses across the country. As defending champions, the UFS enters the new season with the weight of expectation, but also with the confidence that comes from a successful campaign and months of preparation.

A new season, a new challenge

The team begins the season knowing that every opponent will be eager to topple the reigning champions. However, head coach Mokete Tsotetsi, who guided the team to Varsity Football glory in 2025, believes his squad is ready for the challenge ahead.

"Going into the tournament as defending champions is not easy. Obviously, we need to be confident and believe that we can retain the championship. The confidence is there because of the way we've been preparing."

The former professional footballer says the team has focused on building on last season's success while ensuring that the attention remains firmly on the future.

"We need to put last year behind us as history and focus on the future.

"We take what we did right and try to improve on it, while also looking at where we can be better. This is a new year and a new tournament."

According to Tsotetsi, the success of the 2025 campaign has changed the way opponents will approach matches against the UFS.

"Teams will approach games differently now because we are the champions. We're not forgetting what happened, but we're taking the positives from last year and building on them."

Strong foundations for the title defence

The UFS squad retains much of the core that delivered last season's championship, while welcoming several new faces.

"We still have about 70% of the squad that participated last year, with some new players coming in. It's a good balance. The core of the team is still there, and the new players have added to the group."

That continuity could prove crucial as the team navigates a tournament renowned for its competitiveness and fine margins.

For the players, however, success will not depend solely on what happens on the pitch.

The champions need their supporters

One of the defining features of Varsity Football is the atmosphere created by the supporters. 

As the UFS Blues begin their quest to retain the title, the university encourages the entire Kovsie community to come out in numbers and transform Shimla Park into a sea of blue and white.

Friday's fixture presents an opportunity for supporters to send a strong message that Bloemfontein remains the home of the defending champions.

Match details

University of the Free State vs University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks)