BUCS Big Wednesday

BUCS Big Wednesday 2026 will take place on the 24th and 25th March at Loughborough University, with the team finals event showcasing Championship and Trophy finals across 16 league sports.

The University of Nottingham had the highest representation of any UK university with a record 31 teams reaching finals in 2025, providing incredible memories as 11 #GreenandGold Nottingham teams won national championships.

BUCS Big Wednesday 2025
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What is BUCS Big Wednesday?

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With thousands of university sport teams taking part in the BUCS leagues every year, only the very best make it through to the BUCS Big Wednesday finals which will take place on Wednesday 25th March 2026. The Championship finals see the top student Premier League teams in the United Kingdom battle it out to be overall National champion. In the Vase and Trophy competitions, squads from the second tier of the BUCS leagues compete for the coveted titles. 

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With 16 sports and over 50 fixtures played across BUCS Big Wednesday, there is plenty of opportunity for University of Nottingham students to enjoy a fantastic sporting event and hopefully cheer on plenty of #GreenandGold to victory!

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The majority of BUCS Big Wednesday fixtures will be live streamed on YouTube so that you can enjoy all of the action from wherever you are! You can view all of the 2025 finals streamed here.

Road to the 2026 BUCS National Championship Finals

The BUCS Championship sees the very best of university sport battle it out to be crowned national champions. You can check out our teams progress on the road to the finals below.

American Football

Open 1st

Semi-Final | vs. UWE (A) | 15th March

Badminton

Men's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Durham 1st (H) | Won 8-0

Semi-Final | vs. Bath 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (H) | Won 6-2

Semi-Final | vs. Strathclyde 1st (A) | 11th March

Fencing

Men's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Lancaster 1st (H) | Won 135-66

Semi-Final | vs. Oxford 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. St. Andrews 1st (H) | Won 132-88

Semi-Final | vs. Durham 1st (H) | 11th March

Football

Men's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Exeter 1st (H) | Won 3-2

Semi-Final | vs. Hartpury 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Edinburgh 1st (H) | Won 2-1

Semi-Final | vs. St Andrews 1st (H) | 11th March

Futsal

Women's 1st

Round 1 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Northumbria 1st (H) | Won 2-1

Semi-Final | vs. Derby 1st (H) | 15th March

Hockey

Men's 1st

Quarter-Final | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st (H) | Won 6-2

Semi-Final | vs. Loughborough 1st (A) | 18th March

 

Women's 1st 

Quarter-Final | Bye

Semi-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (H) | 18th March 

Lacrosse

Men's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Loughborough 1st (H) | Won 19-4

Semi-Final | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st (H) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (H) | Won 21-3

Semi-Final | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st (H) | 11th March

Netball

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Exeter 1st (H) | Won 39-26

Semi-Final | vs. Hertfordshire 1st (A) | 11th March

Squash

Men's 1st

Last 16 | vs. Bath 1st (H) | Won 5-0

Quarter-Final | vs. Warwick 1st (H) | Won 5-0

Semi-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | vs. Exeter 1st (H) | Won 4-0

Quarter-Final | vs. Bath 1st (H) | Won

Semi-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (A) | 11th March

Table Tennis

Men's 1st

Quarter-Final | vs. Swansea 1st (H) | Won 17-0

Semi-Final | vs. Imperial 1st (A) | Won 16-1

Final | vs. TBC at BUCS Big Wednesday | 25th March

 

Women's 1st

Quarter-Final | vs. Bath 1st (H) | Won 5-0

Semi-Final | vs. Edinburgh 1st (H) | 18th March

Tennis

Men's 1st

Quarter-Final | Bye

Semi-Final | vs. Loughborough 1st or Leeds Beckett 1st (H) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Quarter-Final | vs. Bath 1st (H) | Won 4-0

Semi-Final | vs. Loughborough 1st (A) | 11th March

Volleyball

Men's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Bristol 1st (H) | Won 3-0

Semi-Final | vs. Essex 1st (H) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. UCL 1st (H) | Won 3-0

Semi-Final | vs. Essex 1st (A) | 18th March

Water Polo

Open 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | Sheffield Hallam 1st (H) | Won 48-4

Semi-Final | vs. Manchester Met 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Oxford 1st (H) | Won 39-0

Semi-Final | vs. Bristol 1st (A) | 11th March

Wheelchair Basketball

Open 1st

Quarter-Final | vs. Worcester 1st (N) | 7th March

Winner will then play:

Semi-Final | vs. East London 1st (N) | 7th March

American Football

Open 1st

Semi-Final | vs. UWE (A) | 15th March

Badminton

Men's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Durham 1st (H) | Won 8-0

Semi-Final | vs. Bath 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (H) | Won 6-2

Semi-Final | vs. Strathclyde 1st (A) | 11th March

Fencing

Men's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Lancaster 1st (H) | Won 135-66

Semi-Final | vs. Oxford 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. St. Andrews 1st (H) | Won 132-88

Semi-Final | vs. Durham 1st (H) | 11th March

Football

Men's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Exeter 1st (H) | Won 3-2

Semi-Final | vs. Hartpury 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Edinburgh 1st (H) | Won 2-1

Semi-Final | vs. St Andrews 1st (H) | 11th March

Futsal

Women's 1st

Round 1 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Northumbria 1st (H) | Won 2-1

Semi-Final | vs. Derby 1st (H) | 15th March

Hockey

Men's 1st

Quarter-Final | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st (H) | Won 6-2

Semi-Final | vs. Loughborough 1st (A) | 18th March

 

Women's 1st 

Quarter-Final | Bye

Semi-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (H) | 18th March 

Lacrosse

Men's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Loughborough 1st (H) | Won 19-4

Semi-Final | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st (H) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (H) | Won 21-3

Semi-Final | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st (H) | 11th March

Netball

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Exeter 1st (H) | Won 39-26

Semi-Final | vs. Hertfordshire 1st (A) | 11th March

Squash

Men's 1st

Last 16 | vs. Bath 1st (H) | Won 5-0

Quarter-Final | vs. Warwick 1st (H) | Won 5-0

Semi-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | vs. Exeter 1st (H) | Won 4-0

Quarter-Final | vs. Bath 1st (H) | Won

Semi-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (A) | 11th March

Table Tennis

Men's 1st

Quarter-Final | vs. Swansea 1st (H) | Won 17-0

Semi-Final | vs. Imperial 1st (A) | Won 16-1

Final | vs. TBC at BUCS Big Wednesday | 25th March

 

Women's 1st

Quarter-Final | vs. Bath 1st (H) | Won 5-0

Semi-Final | vs. Edinburgh 1st (H) | 18th March

Tennis

Men's 1st

Quarter-Final | Bye

Semi-Final | vs. Loughborough 1st or Leeds Beckett 1st (H) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Quarter-Final | vs. Bath 1st (H) | Won 4-0

Semi-Final | vs. Loughborough 1st (A) | 11th March

Volleyball

Men's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Bristol 1st (H) | Won 3-0

Semi-Final | vs. Essex 1st (H) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. UCL 1st (H) | Won 3-0

Semi-Final | vs. Essex 1st (A) | 18th March

Water Polo

Open 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | Sheffield Hallam 1st (H) | Won 48-4

Semi-Final | vs. Manchester Met 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Women's 1st

Last 16 | Bye

Quarter-Final | vs. Oxford 1st (H) | Won 39-0

Semi-Final | vs. Bristol 1st (A) | 11th March

Wheelchair Basketball

Open 1st

Quarter-Final | vs. Worcester 1st (N) | 7th March

Winner will then play:

Semi-Final | vs. East London 1st (N) | 7th March

Road to the 2026 BUCS Vase & Trophy Finals

In the Vase and Trophy competition, University of Nottingham squads from the second tier of the BUCS leagues compete for the coveted National Vase and Trophy titles. You can check out our teams progress on the road to these finals below.

American Football

Open 2nd | Trophy

Last 16 | vs. Stirling 1st (H) | Won 35-23

Quarter-Final | vs. Edinburgh Napier 1st (A) | 8th March

Badminton

Men's 2nd | Trophy

Last 32 | vs. Warwick 2nd | Won 7-1

Last 16 | vs. Loughborough 3rd | Won 6-2

Quarter-Final | vs. Southampton 1st (H) | Won 6-2

Sem-Final | vs. Surrey 1st (H) | Won 6-2

Final | vs. Loughborough 2nd at BUCS Big Wednesday | 25th March

Fencing

Men's 2nd | Trophy

Last 64 | vs. Oxford 2nd | Won 135-84

Last 32 | vs. Cambridge 2nd | Won 135-85

Last 16 | vs. Nottingham 3rd | Won 135-83

Quarter-Final | vs. Bath 1st (A) | Won 135-97

Semi-Final | vs. LSE 1st (A) | Won 135-102

Final | vs. Manchester 1st at BUCS Big Wednesday | 25th March

Futsal

Men's 1st | Trophy

Last 32 | vs. Loughborough 2nd | 3-3, Won on penalties

Last 16 | vs. Swansea 1st | Won 5-3

Quarter-Final | vs. Solent 1st (A) | 8th March

 

Women's 2nd | Trophy

Last 32 | Bye

Last 16 | vs. Worcester 1st | Won 17-0

Quarter-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (H) | 7th March

Hockey

Men's 2nd | Vase

Last 16 | vs. Bristol 1st (A) | Won 4-2

Quarter-Final | vs. Edinburgh 1st (A) | 11th March 

 

Women's 2nd | Vase

Last 16 | vs. Cambridge 1st (A) | Won 3-1

Quarter-Final | vs. Loughborough 2nd (H) | 11th March 

Squash

Men's 2nd | Trophy

Last 32 | Bye

Last 16 | vs. Birmingham 2nd (H) | Won 4-1

Quarter-Final | vs. Birmingham 3rd (A) | Won 5-0

Semi-Final | vs. UWE 2nd or UWE 3rd (A) | 11th March

Table Tennis

Women's 2nd | Trophy

Last 32 | Bye

Last 16 | vs. Loughborough 1st | Won 5-0

Quarter-Final | vs. Lancaster 1st (A) | Won 5-0

Semi-Final | vs. Newcastle 2nd (A) | Won 3-0

Final | vs. Nottingham 3rd at BUCS Big Wednesday | 25th March 

 

Women's 3rd | Trophy

Last 32 | Bye

Last 16 | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st | Won 3-2

Quarter Final | vs. Bristol 1st (H) | Won 4-1

Semi-Final | vs. KCL 1st (H) | Won 3-0

Final | vs. Nottingham 2nd at BUCS Big Wednesday | 25th March 

Tennis

Men's 2nd | Vase

Quarter-Final | vs. Bristol 1st (H) | Won 6-0

Semi-Final | vs. Stirling 2nd (H) | 11th March

 

Women's 2nd | Vase 

Quarter-Final | vs. Bristol 1st (H) | Won 4-2

Semi-Final | vs. Essex 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Men's 3rd | Trophy

Last 32 | vs. Loughborough 4th | Won 5-1

Last 16 | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st | Won 5-1

Quarter-Final | vs. Cardiff Met 1st (H) | Won 5-1

Semi-Final | vs. UCL 1st (H) | 11th March

Water Polo

Women's 2nd | Trophy

Last 32 | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st | Won 20-1

Last 16 | vs. Sheffield Hallam 1st | Won 20-12

Quarter-Final | vs. Leeds 1st (A) | Won 16-9

Semi-Final | vs. Durham 2nd (A) | 18th March

American Football

Open 2nd | Trophy

Last 16 | vs. Stirling 1st (H) | Won 35-23

Quarter-Final | vs. Edinburgh Napier 1st (A) | 8th March

Badminton

Men's 2nd | Trophy

Last 32 | vs. Warwick 2nd | Won 7-1

Last 16 | vs. Loughborough 3rd | Won 6-2

Quarter-Final | vs. Southampton 1st (H) | Won 6-2

Sem-Final | vs. Surrey 1st (H) | Won 6-2

Final | vs. Loughborough 2nd at BUCS Big Wednesday | 25th March

Fencing

Men's 2nd | Trophy

Last 64 | vs. Oxford 2nd | Won 135-84

Last 32 | vs. Cambridge 2nd | Won 135-85

Last 16 | vs. Nottingham 3rd | Won 135-83

Quarter-Final | vs. Bath 1st (A) | Won 135-97

Semi-Final | vs. LSE 1st (A) | Won 135-102

Final | vs. Manchester 1st at BUCS Big Wednesday | 25th March

Futsal

Men's 1st | Trophy

Last 32 | vs. Loughborough 2nd | 3-3, Won on penalties

Last 16 | vs. Swansea 1st | Won 5-3

Quarter-Final | vs. Solent 1st (A) | 8th March

 

Women's 2nd | Trophy

Last 32 | Bye

Last 16 | vs. Worcester 1st | Won 17-0

Quarter-Final | vs. Birmingham 1st (H) | 7th March

Hockey

Men's 2nd | Vase

Last 16 | vs. Bristol 1st (A) | Won 4-2

Quarter-Final | vs. Edinburgh 1st (A) | 11th March 

 

Women's 2nd | Vase

Last 16 | vs. Cambridge 1st (A) | Won 3-1

Quarter-Final | vs. Loughborough 2nd (H) | 11th March 

Squash

Men's 2nd | Trophy

Last 32 | Bye

Last 16 | vs. Birmingham 2nd (H) | Won 4-1

Quarter-Final | vs. Birmingham 3rd (A) | Won 5-0

Semi-Final | vs. UWE 2nd or UWE 3rd (A) | 11th March

Table Tennis

Women's 2nd | Trophy

Last 32 | Bye

Last 16 | vs. Loughborough 1st | Won 5-0

Quarter-Final | vs. Lancaster 1st (A) | Won 5-0

Semi-Final | vs. Newcastle 2nd (A) | Won 3-0

Final | vs. Nottingham 3rd at BUCS Big Wednesday | 25th March 

 

Women's 3rd | Trophy

Last 32 | Bye

Last 16 | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st | Won 3-2

Quarter Final | vs. Bristol 1st (H) | Won 4-1

Semi-Final | vs. KCL 1st (H) | Won 3-0

Final | vs. Nottingham 2nd at BUCS Big Wednesday | 25th March 

Tennis

Men's 2nd | Vase

Quarter-Final | vs. Bristol 1st (H) | Won 6-0

Semi-Final | vs. Stirling 2nd (H) | 11th March

 

Women's 2nd | Vase 

Quarter-Final | vs. Bristol 1st (H) | Won 4-2

Semi-Final | vs. Essex 1st (A) | 11th March

 

Men's 3rd | Trophy

Last 32 | vs. Loughborough 4th | Won 5-1

Last 16 | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st | Won 5-1

Quarter-Final | vs. Cardiff Met 1st (H) | Won 5-1

Semi-Final | vs. UCL 1st (H) | 11th March

Water Polo

Women's 2nd | Trophy

Last 32 | vs. Nottingham Trent 1st | Won 20-1

Last 16 | vs. Sheffield Hallam 1st | Won 20-12

Quarter-Final | vs. Leeds 1st (A) | Won 16-9

Semi-Final | vs. Durham 2nd (A) | 18th March

Re-watch matches from BUCS Big Wednesday 2025 on BUCSsport YouTube
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Our 31 BUCS Big Wednesday 2025 finalists 🏆

Our 18 National Championship finals

  • Men's Tennis 1's vs. Stirling 1's | RESULT: Won 4-2 - National Champions 🥇 | 🎥
  • Women's Badminton 1's vs. Loughborough 1's | RESULT: Won 5-3 - National Champions 🥇 | 🎥
  • Wheelchair Basketball 1's vs. Loughborough 1's | RESULT: Won 59-49 - National Champions 🥇 | 🎥
  • Women's Table Tennis 1's vs. Newcastle 1's | RESULT: Won 3-0 - National Champions 🥇
  • Men's Table Tennis 1's vs. Nottingham Trent 1's | RESULT: Won 9-3 - National Champions 🥇
  • Men's Fencing 1's vs. Durham 1's | RESULT: Won 120-98 - National Champions ����
  • Women's Fencing 1's vs. Durham 1's | RESULT: Won 103-99 - National Champions 🥇
  • Women's Hockey 1's vs. Loughborough 1's | RESULT: Won 2-1 - National Champions 🥇 | 🎥
  • Women's Lacrosse 1's vs Exeter 1's | RESULT: Won 12-3 - National Champions 🥇
  • Men's Hockey 1's vs. Loughborough 1's | RESULT: Won on shuffles (2-2) - National Champions 🥇| 🎥
  • Women's Water Polo 1's vs. Durham 1's | RESULT: Won 15-8 - National Champions 🥇 | 🎥
  • American Football vs. UWE 1's | RESULT: Lost 12-42 🥈 | 🎥
  • Men's Badminton 1's vs. Loughborough 1's | RESULT: Lost 2-6 🥈 | 🎥
  • Men's Water Polo 1's vs. Durham 1's | RESULT: Lost 11-12 🥈| 🎥
  • Women's Squash 1's vs. Birmingham 1's | RESULT: Lost 1-4 🥈 | 🎥
  • Men's Football 1's vs. Loughborough 1's | RESULT: Lost 0-1 🥈 | 🎥
  • Men's Lacrosse 1's vs. Nottingham Trent 1's | RESULT: Lost 9-12 🥈
  • Women's Football 1's vs. St. Andrews 1's | RESULT: Lost 1-2 🥈 | 🎥

Our 13 National Trophy & Vase finals

National Vase
  • Men's Hockey 2's vs. Edinburgh 1's | RESULT: Lost 4-1 on shuffles (3-3) 🥈
National Trophy
  • Women's Tennis 2's vs. Bath 2's | RESULT: Won 4 -2 - Trophy Winners 🥇
  • Men's Fencing 2's vs. Exeter 1's | RESULT: Won 128-118 - Trophy Winners 🥇
  • Women's Table Tennis 2's vs. Imperial 1's | RESULT: Won 3-0 - Trophy Winners 🥇
  • Men's Rugby League 1's vs. Liverpool John Moores 1's | RESULT: Won 34-4 - Trophy Winners 🥇
  • Women's Netball 1's vs. Bath 2's | RESULT: Won 69-34 - Trophy Winners 🥇 | 🎥
  • Men's Table Tennis 2's vs. Sheffield Hallam 1's | RESULT: Lost 8-9 🥈
  • Men's Badminton 2's vs. Loughborough 2's | RESULT: Lost 2-6 🥈
  • Men's Squash 2's vs. Birmingham 2's | RESULT: Lost 1-4 🥈
  • Women's Squash 2's vs. Birmingham 2's | RESULT: Lost 0-4 🥈
  • Men's Hockey 3's vs. Loughborough 3's | RESULT: Lost 2-3 🥈
  • Women's Water Polo 2's vs. Strathclyde 1's | RESULT: Lost 12-14 🥈
  • Women's Badminton 2's vs. Loughborough 2's | RESULT: Lost 1-7 🥈
Women's hockey team celebrate with trophy
Women's hockey raise arms in celebration
Badminton players celebrate with rackets and arms raised
Crowd celebrates a winning shot by female fencers
Group fencing shot in front of champions board
Male tennis player clenches fist in celebration
Tennis players hold trophy in front of Champions board
Wheelchair Basketball player holds ball with outstretched arm
Men's Hockey team pose in front of champions board
University of Nottingham at BUCS Big Wednesday 2025
BUCS Big Wednesday 2025 🏆

The University of Nottingham had the highest representation of any UK university with a record 31 teams reaching finals in 2025, providing incredible memories as 11 #GreenandGold Nottingham teams won national championships!

BUCS Big Wednesday 2025