The nights are drawing in, the scarves are out, and deadlines are fast approaching. But before you barricade yourself in the library, remember that Michaelmas isn’t just the mark of a new academic year, it signifies Cambridge sport at full tilt.

The coming weeks promise muddy scrums, squeaky courts, and enough thrilling moments to justify skipping a few study sessions to soak in what promises to be an exciting term of light blue sport. So, here are the mouth-watering BUCS fixtures to come that Varsity thinks are certainly worth a watch.

As winter fast approaches, the emphasis lies on the winter sports. Top of many people’s agenda is blues football. Following a successful Varsity campaign for both the men and women to conclude last season, anticipation is high for CUAFC successes to translate into big BUCS wins. A total of 11 BUCS fixtures await the blues footballers this term, with the women facing off against Nottingham 2’s, Loughborough’s 2nd and 3rd team, and their old foes Oxford. The men’s side will be hopeful for a deep run in the Midlands Conference Cup, having earned a bye in a bracket of tier 4 opponents.

“It’s not all about the classic winter sports this Michaelmas, though”

Much like football, the cold, rainy, dark days don’t stop the Rugby – in fact, they allow the fixtures to carry on in full force! The men are faced with 4 vital league games, making three away trips to start the season to Nottingham 5’s, Nottingham Trent 2’s, and Leicester 1’s. The women’s league campaign in tier 1 will be broken up by a hugely anticipated away trip to Birmingham for the first round of the National Trophy, meaning there is much to get excited about for CURUFC fans.

It’s not all about the classic winter sports this Michaelmas, though, with plenty of exciting fixtures awaiting the light blues in a variety of other sports. The men’s tennis blues will be looking to dominate their division after losing out in a tight relegation battle from tier 1 last season, with both a league and Conference Cup fixture against Nottingham 5’s to look forward to. The women’s side enjoyed a fair amount more success last year, edging out Oxford in a remarkably close Varsity encounter and making an admirable push for promotion to the National Premier Division. Both sides therefore face a set of Michaelmas fixtures where they ought to be favourites.

"To end the term, we get to enjoy one of the biggest Varsity events of the year"

If you’d prefer to watch along indoors, the men’s and women’s basketball blues will play their opening round Conference Cup fixtures in the same fortnight, generating a week 5 blue’s cure to get excited for in November. And if you fancy some more American sport, Cambridge host both Coventry and Anglia Ruskin in the American football 2nd tier.

Longing for something a little more familiar? 12 Premier Division hockey fixtures await across the men’s and women’s side, creating an action-packed schedule to enjoy throughout the entirety of term.

To end the term, we get to enjoy one of the biggest Varsity events of the year. It’s without doubt that many Cambridge students have already bought their ski trip tickets in great anticipation, so make sure to break up your après sessions and slope runs with some support for Cambridge skiing!

With all the exciting fixtures ahead, it would be a crime to miss out on them all. Once more, then, I urge you – embrace the thrilling sports scene at Cambridge this term. Whether your main motivation lies with the half time pints or you’re a fully fledged die hard fan, make it your mission to get out there and do your part in supporting light blue sport this Michaelmas.