The National Schools Rugby Festival
The pinnacle of school rugby
As we approach our 40th year of the National Schools Rugby Festival, hosted by St Joseph’s College, players prove themselves and let their game do the talking. Every pass matters. Every hit counts. And big moments show real character.
Dates
Get ready for the action
- 8.00am: Gates Open
- 9.30am: U15 Round One
- 11.00am: Bar Opens
- 11.30am: U18 Girls Round One
- 12.30pm: U15 Round Two
- 2.30pm: U18 Girls Round Two
- 3.30pm: U15 Round Three
- 6.00pm: OB Netball Match
- 6.30pm: OB Rugby Match
- 9.30pm: Gates Close
- 8.00am: Gates Open
- 8.30-10.30am: VIP Breakfast Buffet
- 9.15am: U18 Round One
- 11.00am: Bar Opens
- 11.15am: U18 Girls Semi-Final
- 11.40am: U15 Semi-Final
- 12.00-2.00pm VIP Lunch Buffet
- 12.05pm: U18 Round Two
- 2.05pm: U18 Girls Final
- 2.30pm: U18 Round Three
- 2.55pm: U15 Boys Final
- 5.30pm: VIP Closes
- 6.00pm: Gates Close
- 8.00am: Gates Open
- 8.30-10.30am: VIP Breakfast Buffet
- 9.00am: U18 Quarter Finals
- 11.00am: Bar Opens
- 11.00am: U11 Round Robin
- 12.00pm: U18 Semi-Final
- 12.00-2.00pm: VIP Lunch Buffet
- 2.00pm: U11 Round Robin
- 2.15pm: U18 Final Matches
- 4.15pm: U18 Final
- 5.30pm: VIP Closes
- 8.00pm: Gates Close
Teams
The best teams turn up here
This is where players prove themselves and everyone’s held to the same standard. Talent gets tested properly and we are proud to announce the inclusion of Girls Rugby to the festival for the very first time.
Competitors
See who is competing in the 2026 Festival
U18 Participating Schools
We thank all participating schools for their continued commitment to the 40th National School Rugby Festival. Their support helps bring together the nation’s finest school rugby talent in a competition that demands resilience, discipline and determination, testing players and teams at the highest level. Together, we look forward to marking this historic milestone in the Festival’s proud legacy.
The VIP package
Enjoy the festival in style
Your ticket also includes:
– Complimentary Parking
– Exclusive Access to the Festival
– Luxury All Day Buffet
– Networking & Hospitality
– Comfort & Atmosphere
The Good, The Bad & The Rugby
The Good, The Bad & The Rugby Join the National Schools Rugby Festival
We’re thrilled to welcome The Good, The Bad & The Rugby to the 40th National Schools Rugby Festival, hosted by St Joseph’s College!
On Saturday 17 October, England rugby legend James Haskell and fellow podcast host Alex Payne will bring their trademark humour, rugby expertise and behind-the-scenes stories to the festival.
Now in its seventh season, the hugely popular podcast will come to life with a festival-wide meet and greet, a player village tour, live match co-commentary and an exclusive festival podcast, live-streamed across campus.
VIP guests will also enjoy an exclusive Q&A with James and Alex, offering a unique opportunity to hear from two of rugby’s most entertaining voices.
VIP tickets are limited and selling fast. Book now to be part of this unforgettable festival experience!
Festival Map
Live Streaming Partners
A special thank you to NextGen, our live-streaming partners for the Rugby Festival, for helping us share the action with a wider audience. NextGen showcases the next generation of sporting talent, bringing live streams, rankings, results and stories from schools and clubs around the world
Videos
Watch the 2025 Festival
Partners
We'd like to thank our partners for their ongoing support as we bring the 40th National School Rugby Festival to life.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Why sponsor the rugby festival?
Livestream
The festival’s livestream views extend the reach of sponsors beyond the physical event. This broad online visibility allows brands to engage with a wider audience who are actively interested in the event’s content. Livestreaming provides a dynamic platform for showcasing products and services, ensuring that the brand message resonates with fans in real-time, driving immediate engagement and interest. Livestream views increased 16% in 2025 showing strong and sustained audience engagement.
Social Media
Last year we received 1.2 million social media views offering extensive brand visibility across various platforms for our sponsors. This level of exposure helps to amplify the sponsor’s presence, engaging a diverse audience through impressions, likes, shares, comments, and interactions. For sponsors this coverage translates to enhanced brand awareness and engagement, creating a ripple effect that extends the sponsor’s reach far beyond the initial event. Channels include LinkedIn, TikTok and Meta.
Programme Readership
Sponsoring the rugby festival also provides valuable opportunities for brand visibility through physical placements such as shirts, banners, and face-to-face networking . These touchpoints ensure the sponsor’s branding and message are prominently displayed throughout the event, creating continuous exposure to attendees and viewers. This high-visibility branding reinforces the sponsor’s presence, making it a memorable part of the festival experience.
Website Visitors
The festival in 2025 attracted 25,238 views. This reflects a growth in traffic of 26%. This online traffic presents another channel for exposure, allowing sponsors to reach a targeted audience who are actively seeking information about the event. Featuring the sponsor’s logo on the festival’s page ensures ongoing visibility and brand recognition even before and after the event, providing sustained promotional benefits.
Sponsorship Benefits
How did previous sponsors profit?
Available Sponsorship Packages
Kit Sleeve Sponsor: Feature your logo prominently on the players’ kit sleeves, ensuring visibility throughout the festival.
Ball Boy/Girl Shirt Sponsor: Have your brand worn by our dedicated ball boys and girls, seen by all attendees.
Warm-Up Top Sponsor: Showcase your company on the warm-up tops worn by players, gaining pre-match visibility.
Pitchside Advertising Boards: Position your advertisements around the pitch for maximum exposure to our audience and visibility across live streaming.
Pitch Sponsor: Be the standout sponsor with your brand name associated with our main pitch, offering unparalleled exposure.
For more information please see our Partnership Brochure.
If you are interested contact : [email protected]
"Initially what attracted us to become a partner of the Rugby Festival was the opportunity to take part in an event that aligned with our own values. It gives us a platform to connect meaningfully with local families and businesses and to support youth sport which is something we're passionate about."
"We've been attracted by the Rugby Festival for many years, being Suffolk born and bred. We've known and supported the festival through our younger years so to now be an official part of elite schoolboy rugby is very exciting."
"Our partnership with St Joseph's College and the Rugby Festival has really pushed our business on. It's all about visibility, highlighting your own brand. It's certainly heightens our brand within Suffolk and, with the way the festival works, country wide."
Gallery
The biggest stage in school rugby
History
Our most iconic years from the last 4 decades
2026 Fixtures and Results
Respect is earned through how we play
Follow the action as the tournament unfolds. Click the link below to view live scores and results on our dedicated results microsite, provided by our partners at SOCS.
Map
Navigating St Joseph's
PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON NEIGHBOURING STREETS OR IN UNAUTHORISED AREAS.
DOING SO BLOCKS ESSENTIAL ACCESS ROUTES, CAUSES SAFETY CONCERNS AND CREATES SIGNIFICANT INCONVENIENCE FOR OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
PLEASE USE THE WHAT3WORDS KEY BELOW:
Main Gate – sober.token.stews
Birkfield House Reception – appeal.reap.print
Emmanuel Close Gate – calms.looked.added
Goldrood Gate – filled.second.slice
Goldrood House – panels.exists.flats
Mews Office – noisy.trips.poem
Staff Car Park – chat.supply.deaf
Prep School Gate – rocks.ramp.both
Chantry Car Park – drill.aura.shirts
FAQs
FAQs
Can I bring dogs?
Unfortunately, as St Joseph’s College is a school, safety is of the utmost importance and whilst we are sure you will clear up after your precious pooches, it takes just one to make it unsafe for pupils.
Can I park on site?
Festival Parking Information
Please do not park on neighbouring streets or in unauthorised areas. This can block essential access routes, create safety concerns and cause significant inconvenience to local residents.
Parking arrangements for the festival are as follows:
- Friday: General festival parking will be available at Goldrood Car Park only. There is no parking available at Chantry Car Park on Friday.
- Saturday and Sunday: General festival parking will be available at Chantry Car Park. Goldrood Car Park is strictly reserved for VIP parking on both days.
Chantry Car Park charges:
- £15 per car for one day.
- £25 per car for all three days.
Please use the following what3words location to find Chantry Car Park: drill.aura.shirts.
Please note that payment is card only.
Car park closing times:
- Friday: 9.30pm
- Saturday: 6pm
- Sunday: 8pm
All vehicles and their contents are left at the owner’s risk. Please ensure your vehicle is removed before the relevant car park closing time.
Is there a charge for entry?
Yes, there is a small entry fee of £2 per person for visitors arriving on foot. This contribution helps support the running of the festival and enables us to monitor attendance accurately, helping us manage visitor numbers and maintain a safe environment for everyone on site.
For visitors arriving by car, the parking charge includes entry to the festival for all occupants of the vehicle.
Can I get food at the event?
We have a number of street food suppliers serving a variety of delicious options:
- Sportrition Ltd
- Good Vibes Coffee
- JB ICES
- Jills Jackets
- Kokorozashi
- Sarah Smy Coffee
- Suffolk Spice Fusion
- Smashburgers
- Wok n Roll
- Yoohoo Donuts
- Topdogs
- M&M Sweet treats
- Tuck Shop
- Mylos pizza
- FourFive
How does a school apply to take part in the National Schools Rugby Festival?
Schools must formally register their interest by completing the official registration form before the published deadline. Unfortunately, late applications cannot be considered under any circumstances.
What happens after a school registers its interest?
Once registration forms have been submitted, each school is assessed against a set of selection criteria. This process ensures the Festival maintains its high standards, competitive quality, and unique spirit.
What criteria are used to assess applications?
Applications are reviewed based on three key areas:
Geographical Representation
We aim to include schools from across the United Kingdom to ensure a diverse mix of playing styles and team cultures. We are also working towards welcoming international schools to enhance the global profile of the Festival.
Previous Participation
Preference may be given to schools with a history of involvement in the Festival, particularly those that have shown a strong commitment to its values and traditions.
Recent Rugby Performance
A school’s rugby performance over the past 12 months will be carefully considered, including match results, consistency and the strength of opposition. Schools demonstrating strong form, discipline and a high level of play will be prioritised to maintain the elite standard of competition.
Who decides which schools are selected?
Applications are reviewed by a dedicated Selection Committee comprising:
The Director of Rugby
The Director of Sport
Members of the Senior Leadership Team at St Joseph’s College
Key representatives from the Festival organising team.
This committee ensures a fair and balanced assessment of all applications, considering both quantitative data and qualitative factors.
How will schools be informed of the outcome?
All schools will be notified in writing once the assessment process is complete. Those selected will receive a formal invitation to participate in the Festival.
Why are these entry criteria important?
The entry requirements are in place to uphold the quality, tradition and inclusive spirit of the Festival. They help ensure a high-calibre competition and a memorable experience for all involved.
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