It was a crisp November day in Burnbank, Scotland. The pitch was set, and the Glasgow District and Edinburgh District were ready for a bruising afternoon of rugby.

With 20 players per side and no shortage of determination, the rivals faced off. Edinburgh ultimately secured victory with a drop goal, sealing the result.

Just like that, the first inter-district rugby match was born. Few could have imagined that the 1872 contest would spark a rivalry that would endure for more than a century.

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Four years later, in 1876, the fixture became official and was known as the Inter-City Derby. The first official season featured two matches, followed by an annual meeting in subsequent years.

The rivalry later was incorporated into the United Rugby Championship, restoring the twice-per-season format as part of league play.

Today, the 1872 Cup is a winter doubleheader embedded within the URC schedule. The matches carry not only national pride, but meaningful implications in the league table.

Here’s everything you need to know about one of rugby’s oldest rivalries:

Why Is It Called The 1872 Cup?

Edinburgh and Glasgow first met on Nov. 23, 1872, in Burnbank, Scotland. The 1872 Cup is named for the year the historic rivalry began.

Where Is The 1872 Cup Played?

The 1872 Cup is contested over two matches each season.

This year, the first Glasgow-Edinburgh clash will be played at Hampden Park in Glasgow. The second, and deciding, match always takes place at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, the home of the Scotland national rugby union team.

How Is The 1872 Cup Winner Decided?

The 1872 Cup winner is determined by aggregate score across the two matches.

Even if each team wins one game, the team that scores the most total points over the two fixtures is crowned champion.

Does The Winner Of The 1872 Cup Receive A Trophy?

Yes. The winner of the 1872 Cup earns possession of the physical trophy.

The cup is engraved each year with the name of the winning team.

Who Currently Holds The 1872 Cup?

Glasgow holds the 1872 Cup, having won it most recently during the 2024-2025 season.

Which Team Has Won The Most 1872 Cups?

Since the rivalry was formally integrated into the URC schedule in the 2007-2008 season, Glasgow has dominated the series.

• Glasgow Warriors: 11 titles
• Edinburgh: 8 titles

1872 Cup Winners By Season

• 2024/25 – Glasgow Warriors
• 2023/24 – Glasgow Warriors
• 2022/23 – Glasgow Warriors
• 2021/22 – Edinburgh
• 2020/21 – Glasgow Warriors
• 2019/20 – Edinburgh
• 2018/19 – Edinburgh
• 2017/18 – Edinburgh
• 2016/17 – Glasgow Warriors
• 2015/16 – Edinburgh
• 2014/15 – Edinburgh
• 2013/14 – Glasgow Warriors
• 2012/13 – Glasgow Warriors
• 2011/12 – Glasgow Warriors
• 2010/11 – Glasgow Warriors
• 2009/10 – Glasgow Warriors
• 2008/09 – Edinburgh
• 2007/08 – Glasgow Warriors

How To Watch The 1872 Cup Glasgow vs. Edinburgh?

The 1872 Cup match between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby streams live on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

European Union Rugby Lives On FloSports And FloRugby

Rugby fans can stream every match from the Top 14, Gallagher Premiership and United Rugby Championship on FloRugby, along with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, making the platform the U.S. home for the world’s biggest club competitions and the game’s top players.

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

• United Rugby Championship
• PREM Rugby
• Top 14
• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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