Sport and recreation in Portsmouth

Sport at the university

Get active, meet new people and find a sport you enjoy. Whether you’re looking to compete, try something new or keep fit, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to get involved at the University.

Fitness and facilities

Explore Ravelin Sports Centre and access a 175 station gym, eight-lane 25 metre swimming pool, eight-court sports hall, fitness classes, workshops led by our skilled fitness staff, and other facilities.

Discover our indoor sports halls and courts where you can play volleyball, badminton, tennis, squash, and outdoor facilities for sports including football, rugby, netball, and more.

Competitive sport

We have lots of sports clubs and societies you can join. We have 32 competitive teams who regularly take part in leagues and competitions against other universities.

Every year our sports teams compete against their opposite numbers at the University of Southampton across more than 60 competitive fixtures in the Varsity Cup.

Recreational sport

Our Play sessions offer the flexibility for you to get involved and play casually whilst not interfering with your studies and other commitments.

If you're looking for something slightly more competitive, then Campus sport is your opportunity to get involved in sport socially.

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.

Explore our sports scholarships

Sport in Portsmouth

We've got the sea and national parks on our doorstep, and several sports centres across the city, so you'll have lots of opportunities to get active when you live in Portsmouth. Including:

Front photo of Man swimming lengthRavelin Interior

Swimming and sauna

Portsmouth has great pools across the city, including:

Ravelin Sports Centre
Mountbatten Centre
Charter Community Sports Centre
Pompey Health and Fitness
Hilsea Lido

Skating

There are indoor and outdoor options for skating, including:

Southsea Skatepark – an outdoor skatepark with a premier cable wake system and wide range of equipment and hire gear for a range of wheeled sports.
Pitt Street Indoor Skatepark – a state-of-the-art indoor wheeled sports facility, open all year round.

Water and beach sports

Portsmouth has plenty of opportunities to get out on the water, including:

Andrew Simpson Centre – courses and activities including sailing, rowing, powerboating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
Southsea Coast Wakeboard – cable wakeboarding with equipment and hire gear available for all abilities.

Football

Whether you’re watching the action or getting involved yourself, Portsmouth has plenty to offer football fans, including:

Fratton Park – the iconic home of Portsmouth FC, known for its passionate fans and lively match-day atmosphere.
Langstone Sport Site – home to two FIFA-accredited 3G pitches and a range of grass pitches for 5 to 11-a-side games.

Racket sports

Get involved in team and racket sports at venues across the city, including:

Southsea Tennis Club – home to floodlit courts, coaching, competitions, weekly social play and an on-site cafe.

Langstone Sport Site – a comprehensive outdoor site with two hard-court netball courts and two 5-a-side astro courts.

Yoga

Unwind, build strength or find your new favourite class at one of these inspiring yoga spots.

LANO Southsea
Hotspot Yoga

Running and walking

Get outside and explore the city on foot, from running clubs and Southsea Parkrun, seafront routes to local parks, walking trails and the South Downs.

Climbing

At Ravelin Sports Centre you can enjoy a 10-metre climbing wall with auto-belays and around 120 square metres of bouldering, with routes for beginners and experienced climbers.

Why not try taking in some of the beautiful seaside scenery by riding your bike along the seafront or going for a hike at The South Downs National Park? Alternatively, you could set sail around the Solent or participate in community events like the Southsea Parkrun.

Make friends through sport

From joining a competitive team to trying a new activity with friends, sport is a great way to meet people and make the most of student life in Portsmouth.

Join a Sports Club