Trinity Rugby Colours Festival 2026 group photo with the Provost Dr Linda Doyle

The 2026 Rugby Colours Festival of Rugby returns to College Park the week commencing Monday 9 February. This year’s festival has been expanded beyond rugby matches to include intervarsity social events and entertainment. The intervarsity rivalry will extend to off-pitch activities such as Table Quizzes and the Battle of the DJ’s and there will be traditional Irish Music after the matches in the Pavilion. Community-focused events will take place such as a Trinity Access Programme (TAP) tag rugby morning for local inner-city secondary schools.

The Colours matches are annual rugby fixtures between local rivals Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. The Men’s match was inaugurated in 1952 and this year marks the 72nd edition. The Women’s Colours is more recent, with the Women playing for the Colours Cup for the first time in season 2014/15. The women’s fixture is scheduled for Wednesday 11 February at 7:30pm while the men’s fixture will take place on Thursday 12 February also at 7.30pm.

Trinity Men’s rugby team are looking to regain the Colours title after a narrow 37 v 36 loss last year. The Men’s Colours match doubles as a Dudley Cup Challenge match this year, with Trinity the current holders. Trinity women’s rugby team are also on the hunt for silverware.

The Men’s Colours will be live-streamed to London and New York venues for the first time. For further details please see the club website.

The Provost of Trinity College, Dr. Linda Doyle presided at the Rugby Colours Festival launch which took place on Tuesday 20th January in Trinity College, attended by the Presidents and Captains of both Clubs and Michelle Tanner, Head of Sport & Recreation in Trinity College.

The Provost, Dr Linda Doyle, shared: "I am delighted that Trinity is hosting the Rugby Colours Festival on College Park once again.  The Colours fixtures are a cherished part of our sporting history and it is wonderful to see them now at the heart of a broader, week-long festival that brings together sport, music, social events and community engagement.  This expanded programme reflects the inclusive and vibrant spirit of Trinity and the important role sport plays in connecting students, alumni and the wider community."

Greg Duffy, President of DUFC, commented at the launch, “We’re really excited about this year’s Colours which is being expanded considerably to become a week-long festival with a whole new set of events including quizzes and music events.  We’re also inviting participation from a much broader community including students and alumni.”

Willie Burns, UCD Rugby Club President, added, “This year's match is really, really important for both teams and it's the highlight of university rugby every year and a great honour for both Trinity and UCD students to get their Colours.”

Aoife Nixon, Trinity Women’s Rugby Captain commented, “After playing last year, we really wanted to build and grow a lot together as a team.  We're looking forward to the match against UCD, to pushing each other to be the best we can.  Being at home in College Park and all the support we're getting from D.U.F.C. and the College really means a lot to us.”

David Walsh, Trinity Men’s & Club Captain said, “It's a really important and historic game.  I remember being in secondary school and coming to this game.  It's never an uneventful match to watch - it's always edge of your seat matches and you never know what's going to happen!”

Evelyn Donnelly, UCD Women's Rugby Captain added, “There's a lot of pride on the line.  Our team would love to produce a great performance at College Park in front of our friends and families.  It's a great opportunity to bring girls together on the college team that maybe play for different clubs or different standards, some in the AIL or Leinster Division 1, 2 or 3.  It's a great opportunity to all come together and play some fun rugby.”

Daniel Barron, UCD Men's Captain said, “This Colours match means a lot to me and my team.  It's just a great week for a lot of teams in the college and everyone is excited and looking forward to competitive games.  It means a lot to us, both in terms of the history of the game and the fact that our families and friends can come out to watch.”

We encourage students, staff, parents and alumni to come out and support both Trinity Teams in what will no doubt be hotly contested matches.

Further information