Sport in the city
Into playing or watching sport? Get on your bike (or boat or board) to Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a great city for sport.
Surrounded by the sea and the South Downs national park, the city is an ideal location for sailing, scuba diving, kite surfing and other water sports. It's a great location for outdoor sports like mountain biking, orienteering, triathlons and running, and we're home to more than 40 sports teams – ranging from football to volleyball. (Our Sport at Portsmouth site has even more to discover.)
Whether you're an elite athlete, keen on a weekly Parkrun or looking to enhance your social life, there's something for you in Portsmouth.
Sport on campus
Sport and fitness facilities
- A 125-station gym with free weights, functional equipment, resistance machines and cardio machines
- A sports centre with cardio and multi-use studio spaces, boxing bags, treadmills and free weights
- Fitness classes, courses and workshops, led by our skilled fitness staff – including cardio cycling, yoga fitness, cardio conditioning and pilates
- Indoor sports halls and courts where you can play volleyball, badminton, tennis, squash and more
- Outdoor courts and pitches for sports including football, rugby, netball and tennis
- Ravelin Sports Centre opening in 2022, will offer an 8 lane swimming pool, 175 station gym, climbing wall and ski simulator
Health, fitness and sport at the University of Portsmouth
Video with upbeat music introducing Health, Fitness and Sport at the University of Portsmouth. Reach your personal best. There are a range of health fitness memberships available. Over 30 competitive sport clubs for you to join. Play, Train, Compete. Your best begins at University of Portsmouth.
Gym membership for students
Get Sweaty. Make friends. Save the Bees. Health and fitness membership for students.
Access Ravelin Sports Centre, our brand new multi-purpose sports facility, at great value.
Experience everything the building has to offer, including gym, swimming, fitness classes, climbing, squash, and exclusive discounts, plus a £50 discount on sports club memberships, with an Ultimate membership for £22.50 per month. Play, train and compete with monthly memberships starting from £15 per month, with no joining fee.
Competitive sport
Our sports teams regularly take part in leagues and competitions against other universities. Most of our larger clubs compete every week.
We have over 35 competitive teams, including rugby, football, hockey and netball. If you get picked for a team, you could represent the University in British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) competitions.
University sports leagues
You can pit yourself against other students and staff teams in our campus leagues, including 5-a-side football, badminton and tennis.
Taking part in our leagues is a great way to stay fit and healthy while playing a sport you love, without the commitment. You can play with your friends, course mates or make new friends. The winners of our leagues get the chance to compete in Varsity against Southampton University in the Intra Cup.
PLAY sessions
Looking for something casual, fun and sociable without the commitment?
Our PLAY sessions offer the flexibility for you to get involved whilst not interfering with your studies and other commitments. Even if you're a member of our sports clubs or you're involved in campus sport leagues, you can still book onto PLAY sessions whenever you feel like it.
Campus sport
If you're looking for something slightly more competitive, but still without the BUCS commitment then Campus sport is your opportunity to get involved in sport socially. You can play in leagues and tournaments against other students within the university. Play with flatmates, housemates or course mates, get your team and get involved.
Varsity
Every year our sports teams compete against their opposite numbers at the University of Southampton across more than 50 competitive fixtures in the Varsity Cup.
Students from both universities converge for a day of sports, uni spirit and healthy neighbourhood rivalry. Whether you're competing, spectating or tagging along for the official after-party, it's one of the biggest events of the year.
Boxing Society Fight Night
The Boxing Society hosts a series of boxing nights fully affiliated and licensed with England Boxing, featuring men's and women's bouts.
The society's events team transforms the venue into a professional-style boxing arena with all the hype and pomp you'd expect in a pro match, including a pop-up bar. With sell-out crowds of up to 400 people, the nights are always a popular drawcard among students.
Sports clubs
We have lots of sports clubs and societies you can join – the list here is a snapshot. If you don't find something you're interested in, you can set up your own club or society.
Freshers' Fair is a great place to meet club reps and find out more about teams. Or you could go to a club social to get to know your team mates better. Many club socials take place on our official student night – Purple Wednesdays.
Fancy a taster before committing to a sports club? Our Give Me Sport weekend gives you the chance to try over 35 sports over 4 days.
If you're new to sport, our clubs offer full equipment and support in every session, and are a great opportunity to socialise.
Here are some of the sports clubs you can join at Portsmouth:
- American football
- Archery
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Break dancing
- Cheerleading
- Cricket
- Cuban Salsa Society
- Cycling
- Fencing
- Football
- Mountaineering and climbing
- Netball
- Polo
- Powerlifting
- Rowing
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Taekwondo
- Ultimate frisbee
- Volleyball
Performance sport
We have a history of sporting success. We've taught athletes at the peak of their game and supported them to excel at their sports. With our high quality coaching and support, you could also achieve your sporting ambitions.
Our previous Sports Scholars
- Lauren Steadman, Para-Triathlete – 4x paralympian (competing at London 2012, winning silver at Rio 2016 and Gold at Tokyo 2020), triple world champion and 6 time European champion in para-triathlon
- Ben Khor, Double Trap Shooter – Delhi 2008 Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist
- Holly Jane Myers, Rugby Union Player – England Rugby Union and Rugby League International
Sports Scholarship Scheme
If you compete at regional or international level, you could get funding worth between £250 and £3,000 from our Sports Scholarship Scheme. Around 20 students a year receive this scholarship, regardless of nationality, year of study or academic course.
The scholarship aims to help you balance your competing and training with your studies.
If you receive a sports scholarship, you'll get free access to:
- 1-to-1 Strength and conditioning sessions
- Expert sports nutrition advice
- Free gym membership and access to facilities
- Free physio and sports massage
- Media promotion and experience
- Expert sports psychology advice
- BUCS affiliation for your sports club
- Regular 1-to-1 mentoring
- Academic support and flexibility
- Lifestyle support
- University of Portsmouth branded sports kit
You can apply before you join us – visit our Sports Scholarship Scheme page to find out more.
One of our Sports Scholars, Lauren Steadman, gained a first class BSc (Hons) Psychology degree from us in 2014 and a distinction in her MSc in Business and Management in 2017. All while training as a para-triathlete.
Sport around Portsmouth
You'll have lots of opportunities to get active when you live in Portsmouth. We've got the sea and national parks on our doorstep, and several sports centres across the city.
Get active now
Portsmouth is flat, so cycling is an ideal way to get around. Whether you're going from A to B, or taking in some of the beautiful seaside scenery, riding your bike is a great way to stay active.
Whether you're interested in mountain biking or road cycling, our Cycling Club has got you covered. All levels of skill are welcome and you can get involved in a variety of cycle disciplines, including:
- Road social
- Road competitive
- Trail/Enduro mountain biking
- Downhill mountain biking
- BMX and Street
There are several options to swim across the city and we’re not just talking about the sea. Whether you’re a short or long course swimmer, or just want to swim socially with other students, our Swimming Club has everything you’ll need. All skill levels are welcome and travel to the pool is often arranged within the club, so you don’t need to worry about finding your way there.
Ravelin Sports Centre, opening mid-December 2021 includes the University's own swimming pool. This is where the swimming club will train throughout the week. You can swim as part of your core, super or ultimate membership or simply pay as you go. You can swim in lanes, take part in aqua classes, take some lessons to improve your swimming, and try activities such as water polo.
From Southsea Esplanade to Milton Common, there are lots of places to run in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth hosts many running events throughout the year including the Southsea Parkrun (which we helped fund and setup), the Great South Run, and the Portsmouth Coastal Half Marathon, Marathon and 50km Ultra.
You can join a community running club or get involved in running through our Athletics Club. The club specialises in middle and long distance running, and also trains sprint. The Club competes in local, regional and national meets and runs a beginners club if you're new to the sport.
The South Downs National Park, the Isle of Wight and the New Forest are ideal locations to hike for stunning views and beautiful flora and fauna. And they're all a short distance from the city.
Or you can go on less challenging walks in the city along Southsea seafront or at Milton Locks Nature Reserve.
Our Equestrian Sports Club gives you an opportunity to ride with like-minded students.
As you'd expect from an island city on the UK's south coast, you'll have lots of opportunities to engage in water sports – from sailing around the Solent to stand-up paddleboarding along the shoreline.
Some of the UK's major water sports events take place near Portsmouth, including the Hayling Island Kitesurfing Armada Festival and Cowes Week Regatta.
Joining one of our student sports clubs or societies is a great way to get involved and into the water – whether you're an expert or a novice. We have clubs for sailing, rowing, kayaking, scuba diving, swimming and surfing.
Or you can get water sports training from local businesses such as the Portsmouth Watersports Centre. They offer classes in sailing, windsurfing, powerboating, paddleboarding, foiling and kayaking.
Feeling limber? Head to Hot Spot Yoga
Discover Hot Spot Yoga
Emphasising the importance of wellness and community.
Hear from Yoga teacher Claire Alker and owner Valeria Horvath on why they love Portsmouth and Hot Spot Yoga.
Find out more about life in Portsmouth
Take a closer look at more of the exciting things on offer in our amazing city.
Beaches, piers and parks
Portsmouth is a bustling city with the sea on our doorstep and green spaces all around.
Places to eat in Portsmouth
Hungry for adventure? Here's a taster of the great food and drink you can savour in the city.
Portsmouth's music scene
Want to get involved in Portsmouth's music scene? Here's all you need to start.
Shopping in Portsmouth
We're home to great independent businesses, so shopping in the city is a real treat.
Virtual Experience
Get a feel for life on campus without leaving home. Discover panoramic views of the campus, watch course webinars, look at accommodation, browse facilities like labs, workshops and studios, explore our leisure facilities and more.
