University Challenge - 2025/26

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Sheffield v Warwick

1 - Sheffield v Warwick

Air Date: July 14, 2025

The series kicks off with a match between students from Sheffield and Warwick. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

UCL v SOAS

2 - UCL v SOAS

Air Date: July 21, 2025

The first round of the competition continues. Students from UCL take on a team from next-door neighbours SOAS. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Bath v Southampton

3 - Bath v Southampton

Air Date: July 28, 2025

The University of Bath faces the University of Southampton in another first-round match. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Newcastle v Edinburgh

4 - Newcastle v Edinburgh

Air Date: August 4, 2025

Another two teams of students put fingers on buzzers for the first time, representing Newcastle University and the University of Edinburgh. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Manchester v New College, Oxford

5 - Manchester v New College, Oxford

Air Date: August 11, 2025

The University of Manchester plays New College, Oxford for a place in the second round. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Cardiff v Bristol

6 - Cardiff v Bristol

Air Date: August 18, 2025

The first round of the 2025/26 competition continues with a Severnside derby as Cardiff University faces the University of Bristol. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Trinity College, Cambridge v Linacre College, Oxford

7 - Trinity College, Cambridge v Linacre College, Oxford

Air Date: August 25, 2025

In another first-round heat, students from Trinity College, Cambridge take on a team from Linacre College, Oxford. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Lincoln v Lancaster

8 - Lincoln v Lancaster

Air Date: September 1, 2025

The University of Lincoln makes its debut in the competition against a team from Lancaster University. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Green Templeton College, Oxford v Darwin College, Cambridge

9 - Green Templeton College, Oxford v Darwin College, Cambridge

Air Date: September 8, 2025

In another first round match, competition debutants Green Templeton College, Oxford face a team from Cambridge’s Darwin College. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Trinity Hall, Cambridge v LSE

10 - Trinity Hall, Cambridge v LSE

Air Date: September 15, 2025

The first round of the competition continues. Trinity Hall, Cambridge and the London School of Economics are the teams facing their first starters for ten. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Durham v Merton College, Oxford

11 - Durham v Merton College, Oxford

Air Date: September 22, 2025

The heats continue with a match between Durham University and Merton College, Oxford. A place in round two awaits the winner. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Harper Adams v Strathclyde

12 - Harper Adams v Strathclyde

Air Date: September 29, 2025

Harper Adams University makes its first ever appearance in this competition. Their opponents are from the University of Strathclyde. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Imperial v Churchill College, Cambridge

13 - Imperial v Churchill College, Cambridge

Air Date: October 6, 2025

In this first-round match, two institutions specialising in science go head-to-head - Imperial College London and Churchill College, Cambridge. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Magdalen College, Oxford v Robinson College, Cambridge

14 - Magdalen College, Oxford v Robinson College, Cambridge

Air Date: October 14, 2025

The first round of the competition concludes with a match between Magdalen College, Oxford and Robinson College, Cambridge. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

SOAS v Imperial

15 - SOAS v Imperial

Air Date: October 20, 2025

Two of the highest-scoring losing teams from the heats get a second chance to qualify for the second round. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Sheffield v New College, Oxford

16 - Sheffield v New College, Oxford

Air Date: October 27, 2025

Two more of the highest-scoring losing teams from the heats compete for the final second round place. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Magdalen College, Oxford v Darwin College, Cambridge

17 - Magdalen College, Oxford v Darwin College, Cambridge

Air Date: November 3, 2025

The second round of the competition begins. Two teams of students go head-to-head for a place in the quarter-finals. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Sheffield v Strathclyde

18 - Sheffield v Strathclyde

Air Date: November 10, 2025

Round two of the competition continues. Two more teams of students battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Southampton v Imperial

19 - Southampton v Imperial

Air Date: November 17, 2025

Two more student teams return to play a second-round match. A place in the quarter-finals awaits the winner. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Bristol v Warwick

20 - Bristol v Warwick

Air Date: November 24, 2025

The round of sixteen continues. Two more teams of students return to play for a second time, hoping to earn themselves a quarter-final spot. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

LSE v Manchester

21 - LSE v Manchester

Air Date: December 1, 2025

The second round continues. Two more teams of students put fingers on buzzers for a second time, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Trinity College, Cambridge v Edinburgh

22 - Trinity College, Cambridge v Edinburgh

Air Date: December 8, 2025

The round of 16 continues as another two teams of students set out to secure themselves a place in the quarter-finals. Amol Rajan asks the questions.

Lincoln v UCL

23 - Lincoln v UCL

Air Date: December 15, 2025

Two more teams of students compete for a place in the quarter-finals in the penultimate match of round two. Amol Rajan asks the questions.