ICBS Launches Imperial Blaze 2026, Sri Lanka's Premier Inter-University Sporting Showdown

Football, rugby, basketball and cricket take centre stage as ICBS unites Sri Lanka's university communities.

Imperial College of Business Studies (ICBS) has launched Imperial Blaze 2026, its flagship inter-university sports festival. The tournament brings together more than 20 state and private universities across Sri Lanka in football, rugby, basketball and cricket.

The festival gives university athletes a competitive platform to showcase talent, sportsmanship and team spirit. Beyond the games, Imperial Blaze aims to unite university communities and create meaningful opportunities for students through sport.

The idea for Imperial Blaze began as a gift for ICBS's 40th anniversary, conceived as a way to mark the milestone with a festival built for its students.

Imperial Blaze 2026 will run from August 22nd to September 6th, across four venues. Rugby will be held at Police Park, basketball at St Joseph's College, cricket at SLDCC Grounds and Police Park, and football at Race Course Grounds. ThePapare and Dialog TV are the official broadcasting partners, bringing the tournament to audiences across Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the launch, Chanusha Jayawardane, Head of Student Engagement and Corporate Partnerships at ICBS, said:

"Imperial Blaze started with a simple idea: give university athletes a stage worthy of their talent. Bringing over 20 universities together under one banner is no small feat, and it reflects what ICBS stands for. We believe sport builds character as much as any classroom, and this festival is our commitment to that belief."

Binara Sanketh, Chairperson of Imperial Blaze 2026, added:

"This tournament is run by students, for students. Every match, every rivalry, every moment on the field comes from the drive of young athletes who want to compete at the highest level. That energy is what makes Imperial Blaze different, and it's what will carry this festival forward year after year."

ICBS intends to grow Imperial Blaze into an annual national-level university sports property, expanding participation, sports categories, media coverage and corporate partnerships in future editions.

Imperial College of Business Studies (ICBS) was established in 1985. The college offers business education in partnership with international institutions, with a focus on critical thinking, practical expertise and ethical leadership. ICBS prepares students for careers in business through industry-relevant programmes.