Sport and fitness
Indulge your passions or try something new. At York, sport is all about having fun, being social and giving everyone the opportunity to get involved.
Sport and physical activity has a massive role to play in improving the health and wellbeing of our entire university community. At York, we are guided by our Strategy for Sport and Active Wellbeing (2023 - 2028) which forges a sense of belonging and inclusion within all sporting and physical wellbeing activities, whatever an individual’s circumstances, capabilities or aspirations.
, 7,009kb)Related links
- York Sport Union (yusu.org)
- Sports facilities (york-sport.com)
- Explore our societies
Facilities
Our award-winning sports facilities are recognised as some of the best in the region, helping you to unwind and stay fit and healthy. Elite athletes, clubs and national teams regularly use our campus facilities. The University was even the training home of competing nations and winners in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
Facilities include a competition-standard swimming pool, floodlit 3G football pitches, an Olympic-sized outdoor velodrome, a floodlit road cycle circuit, an athletics stadium, dance studios, squash and tennis courts, the York Sport Arena, 39 acres of grass playing fields on campus and a boathouse on the nearby River Ouse.
RLWC Champions, the Jillaroos, are indebted to the University of York Sports for access to their world class facilities during preparation for matches at the 2021 tournament. The warm and accommodating community and access to expertise and assistance, ensured the teams highest standards were delivered. Leading a successful World Cup campaign from these facilities was made all the easier with the staff’s desire to assist in any possible way, and the support shown by others within the community left us with a very humbling experience.
Brad Donald, Australian Women's Rugby League Team Manager
University sports clubs
We aim to provide you with a sporting environment that engages, supports and inspires you, regardless of your ability.
The University of York Students' Union (YUSU) supports more than 65 University sports clubs, offering comprehensive and inclusive opportunities to participate, and to represent York at a local and national level.
Take your pick from skydiving to triathlon, sailing to American football, potholing to rowing, cheerleading to fencing, surfing to volleyball.
Being part of the University football team has been one of the highlights of my time here at York. The variety of sporting activities available here means that you can just try things out or even compete at a high level. There’s a brilliant social life to match, with regular training and social events, which creates a great atmosphere within the clubs. I’ve had the privilege of making friends for life through football and have loved every minute.
Tom, Men’s Football Club President 2019, MPhys Physics
Volleyball is truly inclusive and accessible and has introduced me to a range of people of diverse nationalities, ages and skill levels. I’ve developed my leadership skills and travelled to national competitions and sport events. As an Italian student, I’ve benefitted from the close-knit international community at York.
Sofia, BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics, University of York Volleyball Club
College sport
College sports are open to everyone and provide an engaging, inclusive, and affordable opportunity to play for fun or compete against other York colleges. If you’re new to sports or don’t fancy university-level competition, college sports offer a great way to make friends and keep fit.
Every week, colleges compete in over 20 sporting leagues. Regular training and coaching is available for all team members, from beginners to seasoned pros, meaning that you can take part whatever your sporting ability.
You can also take part in College Varsity - the only inter-university college competition in the UK - in which our best teams take on the colleges of Durham University
I was born partially sighted and always wanted to take part in the Great North Run. As a student at York I was able to pursue sport for the first time and I started completing half marathons. People at York were so supportive, showing me that friendship is more important than winning. In 2008 I was asked to join the Great Britain disability triathlon team. In 2012 we won gold in the European Paratriathlon Championships.
Charlotte Ellis, Athlete (BA Language and Linguistics, 2005)
Working out
Gyms and exercise studios are available at York Sport Centre on Campus West, and York Sport Village on Campus East. Facilities include:
- a 120-station fitness suite (York Sport Village)
- a strength and conditioning suite (York Sport Centre)
- over 75 classes a week
- a health suite with sauna and spa pool
- spin and fitness class studios
- 25-metre, 8-lane swimming pool
- discounted personal trainer programmes for members.
Annual sporting events
Whether you want to take part in the action or cheer from the sidelines, there are plenty of sporting events in York.
Our Students' Union run the sporting highlight of the year, the annual Roses tournament against Lancaster University – the largest inter-university competition in Europe. Roses is a memorable weekend of fun and exciting competition, whether you’re taking part in the action or supporting our talented athletes. There are also opportunities to get involved backstage as a student volunteer.
We also host and support a variety of events, including weekly park runs on campus, the annual York Triathlon, National Cyclo-cross events, the Yorkshire Marathon and Brownlee Brothers schools triathlon.
YorActive outdoor fitness trail
Stretching across campus, the YorActive Trail is a 5km route with outdoor gym equipment along the way.
Open 24 hours a day and completely free to use, you can run, walk or cycle the route to get your fitness fix.
Related links
- York Sport Union (yusu.org)
- Sports facilities (york-sport.com)
- Explore our societies