Welcome Back, Gladiators! Fall 2026 Is Here

News

A new semester means new opportunities, new teammates, new adventures, and countless ways to stay active while making the most of your John Cabot University experience.

Whether you’re a returning Gladiator ready for another season or a new student discovering everything JCU Athletics has to offer, we’re excited to welcome you to the Fall 2026 semester.

This semester is shaping up to be one of our most exciting yet, with varsity sports, intramural tournaments, fitness classes, outdoor adventures, charity events, and international competition opportunities for our student-athletes.

Join a Varsity Team

Think you’ve got what it takes to compete for the Gladiators?

Fall 2026 brings tryouts for our varsity teams, including:

  • Men’s Soccer
  • Women’s 5on5 Soccer
  • Volleyball
  • Men’s Basketball
  • Women’s Basketball
  • Coed Tennis
  • Coed Running – brand new!
  • Cheerleading

Our teams compete throughout the academic year in the local Rome Universities Championships, from November to April, and abroad, representing JCU with pride both on and off the field.

One of the biggest highlights of the season will be the World Inter-Universities Championship in Bratislava (November 4-8), where Gladiators will have the opportunity to compete on an international stage.

Stay Active at the Fitness Center

Looking for a way to stay healthy, relieve stress, and maintain balance throughout the semester?

The JCU Fitness Center offers free access to students, faculty, and staff, along with a variety of weekly fitness classes:

  • Kickboxing: Monday, 4:30-5:30pm
  • Modern Dance: Tuesday, 4:30-5:30pm
  • Power Core Training: Wednesday, 1-1:30pm
  • Glutes & Legs: Wednesday, 1:30-2pm
  • Yoga: Friday, 9:30-10:30am at Secchia Terrace in Guarini Campus during Summer Time

Whether you’re training for competition or simply looking to stay active between classes, there’s a workout for every fitness level.

Friendly Competition Through Intramurals

Not interested in varsity sports? No problem.

Our intramural tournaments are designed for everyone, from seasoned athletes to students just looking to have fun with friends.

This semester’s lineup includes three different intramural tournaments, which will last the entire semester and are scheduled with weekly or biweekly games and rounds. At the end of the tournaments, after the finals, the awards will be given to the winners.
Each intramural tournament has been designed with specific calendar, regulations, and policy:

  • Pickleball:
    • Qualification Phase:
      • Round-robin over multiple Thursdays
        • Day 1 (Sept 17th): Team A vs B and C vs D;
        • Day 2 (Oct 1st): Team A vs C and B vs D;
        • Day 3 (Oct 15th): Team A vs D and B vs C;
        • Finals (Day 4 – (Oct 29th):): 1st vs 2nd Place – 3st – 4th place
  • Volleyball:
    • Maximum Teams: 4
    • Matchdays (Thursdays only):
      • Day 1 (Sept 24th): Team A vs Team B;
      • Day 2 (Oct 8th): Team C vs Team D;
      • Day 3 (Oct 22th): Winners AB vs Loser CD;
      • Day 4 (Nov 12nd): Loser AB vs Winner CD;
      • Finals (Day 5 – (Nov 19th):): 1st vs 2nd Place: Winner day 3 vs Winner day 4
  • Table Tennis:
    • Qualification Phase:
      • Players will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 players.
      • Each player must play all matches within their group.
      • Each scheduled match must be completed within the assigned one-week time window.
      • The qualification phase will last 3 weeks.
      • The best players from each group will qualify for the playoffs.
    • Playoffs will be played as direct elimination matches.
    • Quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals will determine the final rankings.

Registration fee: €5 at the Athletics Office by September 14th

Intramurals are a great way to meet new people, build community, and enjoy the competitive spirit of the Gladiators without the commitment of a varsity schedule.

Run, Ride, and Give Back

Fall also brings a full calendar of cardio and charity events that combine fitness, community engagement, and unforgettable experiences.

Featured events include:

Whether you’re aiming for a personal best or simply participating for fun, these events offer a unique way to experience Rome while staying active.

Explore Italy With Us

Athletics at JCU is about more than sports.

Our outdoor activity program gives students the chance to discover some of Italy’s most beautiful destinations while building friendships and creating memories outside the classroom.

This semester’s trips include:

From coastal adventures to mountain trails, there is something for every type of explorer.

More Than Athletics

Over the years, the Gladiators community has continued to grow, welcoming more students, expanding programming, and creating opportunities that connect athletics, wellness, travel, leadership, and school spirit.

Whether you’re chasing a championship, signing up for your first fitness class, joining an intramural team, or simply looking for a new experience, there is a place for you in the Gladiators family.

So lace up your shoes, grab your teammates, and get ready for an unforgettable semester.

Welcome to Fall 2026. Welcome back, Gladiators.

Follow @jcugladiators on Instagram and visit the Athletics Office to stay updated on registrations, schedules, events, and semester announcements. 🛡️💙🏛️