2026 UniSport Nationals: The University of Sydney Claims Overall Champion University Title  

With the conclusion of the 2026 UniSport Nationals in Perth, The University of Sydney (USYD) has been named the 2026 Overall Champion University, extending their reign at the top of the UniSport national rankings. 

USYD has held the Overall Champion University title since 2019, with this year’s result marking the university’s 17th overall title. 

The achievement follows another strong year across a wide range of UniSport National Championships and sports, with USYD securing 18 pennants throughout 2026. 

The Overall Champion University title recognises performance across the full UniSport national competition calendar, combining results from the UniSport Nationals with those achieved at National Championships throughout the year. 

USYD’s 2026 campaign began by claiming the Men’s and Women’s Triathlon pennants at the UniSport Nationals Triathlon in Wollongong in April, continuing across the national competition calendar through to the UniSport Nationals in Perth. 

Reflecting on the campaign, USYD Intervarsity Sport & Club Development Coordinator Henry Murray highlighted the commitment of the athletes and support staff behind the university’s results. 

“Our athletes showed incredible commitment and sportsmanship at all Nationals campaigns this year, representing Sydney Uni with pride both on and off the field. I’m proud of every team member and the support staff who helped make this campaign such a success. Winning first overall and placing second in the spirit vote is a reflection of the culture we want to build.”

The University of Technology Sydney finished second overall with eight pennants, while UNSW Sydney placed third with seven. Monash University also recorded seven pennants to finish fourth, with The University of Western Australia rounding out the top five with five pennants. 

The Doug Ellis Trophy recognises achievement relative to university population, acknowledging a university that excels across the national competition calendar relative to its size and scale. 

Bond University claimed the trophy for a seventh consecutive year and 12th time overall. Rebecca Stower from Bond Sport said the university was proud to again receive the recognition.  

“Winning the Doug Ellis Per Capita Trophy is a reflection of the strong sporting culture at Bond and the commitment of our students. To consistently achieve this recognition among universities across Australia is something we value highly and reflects our commitment to providing students with opportunities to be involved in sport at all levels.” 

The John White Spirit Trophy was also awarded to Charles Sturt University (CSU), recognising how their students represented CSU throughout the event and contributed to the spirit of the 2026 UniSport Nationals. 

CSU Student Liaison Officer (Elite Athletes and Sport) Kate Staniforth said the award was particularly meaningful given the students had only come together days before competition began. 

“We were thrilled to hear that Team CSU won the overall Spirit Award at this year’s UniSport Nationals. It speaks volumes for us as a regional and online university, when our students only just came together on the Sunday before competition commenced, and developed such strong camaraderie and team spirit. We are super proud of our students, and the way they conducted themselves both on and off the field.”

Reflecting on the achievements recognised across the 2026 national competition calendar, UniSport CEO Mark Sinderberry congratulated all member universities and students on their performances throughout the year. 

“Congratulations to all of our member universities and student-athletes who competed throughout the 2026 UniSport Nationals and National Championships. The commitment, sportsmanship and competitive spirit shown across the year are a great reflection of university sport in Australia.  

“I would particularly like to congratulate The University of Sydney on being named Overall Champion University for the 17th time. Their consistent performances across a broad range of sports throughout the year demonstrate the strength and depth of their university sport program. Congratulations also to Bond University on claiming the Doug Ellis Per Capita Trophy for a seventh consecutive year, and to Charles Sturt University on receiving the John White Spirit Champion University award.” 

To see the 2026 final rankings, click here.

UniSport looks forward to another year of exciting competition, with the 2027 event calendar to be released soon.   

Overall Champions:  

• Overall National Champion University – The University of Sydney  
• Overall Doug Ellis Per Capita Champion University – Bond University  
• Overall John White Spirit Champion University – Charles Sturt University  

Overall UniSport University National Champions  

Regional Overall  

North Overall – Jodie Martin Trophy  

1. The University of Queensland 
2. University of the Sunshine Coast 
3. Bond University  

East Overall Trophy 

1. The University of Sydney 
2. University of Technology Sydney  
3. UNSW Sydney 

South Overall – John Campbell Trophy 

1. Monash University 
2. The University of Melbourne 
3. Deakin University  

West Overall Trophy 

1. The University of Western Australia  
2. Curtin University 
3. Edith Cowan University  

Per Capita University Champion – Doug Ellis Trophy  

Per Capita Regional Rankings  

North Per Capita – Patron’s Population Cup  

1. Bond University 
2. University of the Sunshine Coast 
3. University of Southern Queensland  

East Per Capita – Ann Mitchell Trophy  

1. Charles Sturt University 
2. University of Technology Sydney 
3. The University of Sydney 

South Per Capita – Hugh McKechnie Trophy  

1. Deakin University 
2. University of Tasmania 
3. Federation University Australia 

West Per Capita – Per Capita Champion Trophy  

1. The University of Western Australia 
2. The University of Notre Dame Australia 
3. Edith Cowan University  

Regional Spirit Champions  

• North Spirit Champions – Griffith University 
• East Spirit Champions – Charles Sturt University  
• South Spirit Champions – Monash University  
• West Spirit Champions – The University of Western Australia