The South's oldest rivalry is the fourth most-played in college football

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The annual matchup between Richmond and William & Mary is steeped in Virginia history. While many consider it a regional tradition, it actually ranks as one of the most-played series in all of Division I college football, trailing only three historic programs in total games played.

The rivalry between the University of Richmond and the College of William & Mary dates back to 1898. Since that inaugural meeting, the two schools have faced off 136 times. This enduring competition is frequently cited as "the South's oldest rivalry," a title that underscores the historical weight of the two cities. Richmond and Williamsburg served as the final two capitals of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a fact that provides the cultural backbone for their annual contest. The schools competed in the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association from 1911 to 1921. During that era, Richmond also participated in the Eastern Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association. These early affiliations helped establish the regional footprint of the program.

The winner of this matchup is awarded the Capital Cup, which was previously known as the I-64 Trophy. Despite its deep roots, the series is statistically remarkable; it is the fourth most-played rivalry in Division I college football. The Spiders have secured seventeen conference championships in total. This includes four outright titles and thirteen shared ones. However, the record books clarify that they do not claim any Virginia Conference championships.

It ranks only behind the storied matchups of Lafayette–Lehigh, Princeton–Yale, and Harvard–Yale. This puts the Richmond-William & Mary series in an elite category of longevity and frequency within the American collegiate sports landscape. Richmond's football history is punctuated by a major milestone in 2008. That season, the Spiders advanced to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Championship Game. On December 19, 2008, Richmond defeated Montana with a score of 24–7. This victory secured the first team NCAA national title in any sport for the University of Richmond, cementing their place in the history of the FCS and the broader landscape of Virginia athletics. Before reaching the 2008 peak, the team appeared in two Tangerine Bowls. They finished those specific bowl games with a 1–1 record. Additionally, the Spiders have a 17–13 combined record in 14 total playoff appearances.

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