SportPesa Joins Varsity Football as New Headline Partner

Varsity Sports is proud to announce SportPesa as the new Category Exclusive Sponsor of Varsity Football, taking on the role of official "Online Betting Partner." This three-year partnership marks a significant milestone for both brands and reinforces Varsity Sports’ mission to change lives through the power of sport both on and off the field.

SportPesa now joins long-standing sponsors FNB, Suzuki, and Cashbuild in driving the growth and reach of Varsity Football, the country’s premier university sports competitions.

“Varsity Sports has become synonymous with high-energy, youth-driven sporting excellence, and we are happy to welcome SportPesa into our family of partners,” said Lisa Roux, Sponsorship Manager at ASEM Varsity Sports. “This partnership is a testament to our shared belief in the power of sport to inspire, transform, and uplift.”

Varsity Sports has played a transformative role in South African university sport, giving young athletes a national platform to showcase their skills and ignite pride across campuses and communities. Many of today’s professional stars were first seen on the Varsity Sports stage.

SportPesa’s investment comes at a time of growing public interest in Varsity Football and aligns with the brand’s commitment to supporting youth sports. The partnership will help broaden Varsity Sports’ reach, amplify the impact on student-athletes, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the game, especially for women.

“SportPesa is excited to be part of the Varsity Football journey,” said Gareth Rosslee, Head of Marketing, SportPesa. “We see immense potential in university sports and are particularly proud to help fuel the growth of the women’s game. Together, we look forward to celebrating the passion, skill, and future of South African football.”

With this exciting new partnership, Varsity Football continues its mission to bring the game to the people, celebrating the resilience, talent, and spirit of South Africa’s next generation of champions.

This year’s edition of Varsity Football will once again spotlight top student talent, with a strong emphasis on elevating the women’s game, offering more student-athletes the opportunity to shine.

The men’s competition will feature teams from eight leading universities:

· University of Johannesburg (UJ)

· University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks)

· University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)

· Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

· North-West University (NWU-Mahikeng)

· University of the Free State (UFS)

· Durban University of Technology (DUT)

· Central University of Technology (CUT)

The women’s competition also welcomes eight top contenders:

· University of the Western Cape (UWC)

· University of Johannesburg (UJ)

· Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

· North-West University (NWU-Mahikeng)

· University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks)

· Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

· University of Venda (UNIVEN)

· University of Witwatersrand (WITS)