'University Celestial 7s' - Unmissable Uni Sevens Day Festival is happening THIS FRIDAY in Richmond

Thursday, 12 June 2025 at 18:42

byTom Sansom

Tomorrow (Friday, 13 June 2025), the hallowed turf of the Richmond Athletic Ground, the home of Championship Rugby clubs London Scottish and Richmond, will erupt in the electric atmosphere of the inaugural University Celestial 7s.

From the opening whistle at 11 a.m. until the finals under the Friday Night Lights at 8 p.m., this one-day sevens spectacular promises elite university competition, live music, vibrant crowds, and a celebration of rising rugby talent. The action will also be live streamed on RugbyPass TV, with the best of the BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) sides all gunning for glory.

What’s Happening on the Day?

Over 50 men’s and women’s teams, featuring nearly 1,000 student-athletes from top universities such as Loughborough, Bath, Durham, Exeter, Cardiff Met, Swansea, Edinburgh and more.
Five competitive brackets across seven pitches delivering non-stop, high-octane sevens rugby.
Kick-off at 11 a.m., knockout rounds beginning at 5 p.m., and marquee finals from 8 p.m.—all accompanied by food stalls, bars, and live tunes running until midnight.
GB Sevens selectors will be on-site scouting future Olympians, following seven alumni who competed on the SVNS circuit in 2024.

Spotlight on the Elite Competitions

The heart of the day’s action will be the Men’s and Women’s Celestial Championship Competitions. The elite-level brackets have drawn the top university sevens outfits in the country. On the men’s side, powerhouses like Loughborough, Durham, and Exeter will battle for supremacy, while the women’s draw promises fireworks with Cardiff Met, Bath, and Hartpury fielding stacked squads.

These championship brackets are the prime showcase for sevens excellence, and are expected to be fiercely contested from the first kick to the final whistle. With silverware, bragging rights, and GB Sevens scouts watching closely, expect nothing less than top-tier intensity.

Adding extra spice to the day is the Capital Cup, a standalone tournament featuring London’s university rivals in a battle for city bragging rights. With teams like King’s College London, UCL, Imperial, and St Mary's Twickenham going head-to-head, the Capital Cup promises local pride, fierce matchups, and plenty of derby-day drama.

Why You Should Be There

A vibrant student energy - whether you’re cheering on mates, reliving uni days, or just soaking in the atmosphere, the event is built for community and rugby passion.
Historic venue meets next-gen talent - Richmond Athletic Ground offers the perfect stage for university stars under the watchful gaze of GB Sevens scouts.
Pre-match buzz for Twickenham - with the Premiership Final at Twickenham the next day, this is the ultimate rugby warm-up.
Social hub - expect a lashing of good vibes in the bar, “Pretty lively,” says founder Joe Byrnes—and a next-gen sevens showcase.

From the Organisers

Richmond Rugby Interim CEO Philip Beard shares,

“We’re delighted to welcome the University Celestial 7s to Richmond Athletic Ground for the first time. It’s a superb reflection of our ambition to be a home for top-tier rugby at every level. Showcasing the next generation of talent in such a historic setting makes this a truly special event.”

University Celestial 7’s founder Joe Byrnes: “It’s going to be an awesome exhibition of uni talent and with GB present, the chance to see potential future Olympians. I’d imagine it’ll be pretty lively in the bar too!

Richmond’s always thrived on and off the pitch when there’s been a strong nucleus of uni players at the club so to make The RAG the home of uni 7s in the UK is pretty cool.
If all the supporters can get behind this event, get The RAG bouncing and show Richmond in all it’s glory, I’m certain we’ll be top of every graduating player’s list of clubs to join when they move to London.”

Tickets & Travel Info

What to Expect

Expect scintillating rugby, roaring crowds, and an unmissable atmosphere of festivity. With powerful student performances, scouting eyes on the pitch, and the electric vibe of the Premiership Final weekend, tomorrow’s event is your ticket to witness future stars shine. Whether you're there for the sport, the scene, or the chance to discover the next international sevens talent, the Celestial 7s at The RAG has it all.