University of Birmingham welcomes Ivy League athletes - strengthening historic transatlantic ties

Athletes and staff from the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University were welcomed to campus for the 2026 University of Birmingham-Ivy League Athletics Meet, offering participants on both sides of the Atlantic a unique opportunity to experience university sport through an international lens.

Part of the University's historic Ivy League Exchange programme, the visit brought together student-athletes and staff for a programme of competition, cultural exchange and celebration.

Established by the late Professor Michael Hayes in 1962, the prestigious sporting partnership connects the University of Birmingham with four of the United States' elite Ivy League institutions; Penn, Cornell, Harvard and Yale.

Spanning over six decades of collaboration, the programme has provided generations of students with life-changing athletic, cultural and personal experiences.

Every four years, University of Birmingham student-athletes travel to the United States to visit the four partner institutions, while Ivy League student-athletes make the return journey to Birmingham, staying with University student hosts and immersing themselves in campus life.

Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) formally welcomed athletes and staff to campus at a reception hosted in the University's Lapworth Museum of Geology.

Guests were joined by Councillor Shafique Shah, Birmingham Deputy Lord Mayor, and Steve Dolan - Frank Dolson Director of the Penn Relays and Director of Track, Field and Cross Country at the University of Pennsylvania - alongside University leaders, staff, alumni and student-athletes.

Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) said: "We were delighted to welcome teams from the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University to Birmingham for this special Ivy League Exchange weekend.

“The relationship between the Ivy League and the University of Birmingham is one of the most distinctive and enduring transatlantic partnerships in Higher Education. Dating back to 1962, the Meet brings together institutions renowned around the world for excellence, leadership and innovation.

"It was particularly fitting that we were able to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Professor Michael Hayes, whose vision continues to forge relationships between students, athletes, academics, alumni and friends.

“The programme is a fantastic example of how sport can bring people together, creating lifelong friendships and strengthening international partnerships.”

The Ivy League Athletics Meet, held at the University's athletics facilities, saw athletes from Birmingham, Penn and Cornell compete across a programme of track and field events. The fixture continues a longstanding tradition that has enabled thousands of student-athletes to build international friendships and gain invaluable sporting and cultural experiences.

Whilst the visiting teams from University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University emerged victorious over the University of Birmingham’s Athletics Club, the home team stood proud with match records broken, and new records set in the distance medley relays and mixed 4x400 – a first for the Ivy League.

Friday's competition showcased the talent of the current generation of athletes, while a programme of social and alumni events provided opportunities for former participants and supporters of the exchange to reconnect, revisit campus and celebrate the enduring impact of the partnership.

Steve Dolan, Director of Track, Field and Cross Country at the University of Pennsylvania said: “We share a long-standing commitment to excellence in education, research and sport with the University of Birmingham and our Ivy League partners.

“The Ivy League Exchange is a remarkable example of how international partnerships can bring people together and deepen institutional ties, continuing to create life-changing opportunities more than 60 years after it began.”

The celebrations culminated on Saturday evening at The Exchange in Birmingham city centre, where athletes, alumni, University leaders and invited guests gathered to mark both the Ivy League Exchange and the 250th anniversary of American independence.

A highlight of the evening was the posthumous induction of Professor Michael Hayes into the University's Sporting Hall of Fame. Original founder of the Ivy League Exchange, Professor Hayes dedicated his life to supporting student athletics and fostering international partnerships, creating opportunities that continue to benefit generations of student-athletes more than 60 years later.

Andy Paul, Head of Athletics at the University of Birmingham, said: “It was a privilege to host our transatlantic partners and showcase the world-class sporting environment we have here at Birmingham.

“The Ivy League Exchange is one of our most valued international partnerships, creating meaningful, once in a lifetime opportunity for our students whilst strengthening ties with prestigious universities across the United States.”

The visit follows Birmingham's recent participation at the world-renowned Penn Relays, where a team of eight student-athletes travelled to Philadelphia to compete in one of the most prestigious events in international athletics - strengthening the University's longstanding sporting and educational links with its Ivy League partners.

Ranked second in the UK and ninth globally for sports-related subjects, and 68th in the world overall in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the University of Birmingham is internationally recognised for excellence in sport, education and research.

With success across multiple disciplines and levels of competition, the University of Birmingham continues to demonstrate its position as one of the UK’s leading sporting universities, welcoming international competitors, hosting major global events and supporting athletes to achieve excellence on both the national and global stage.