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Athletics and Recreation

get in the game

Cal Poly is a great place for both athletes and sports fans. Between the intense rivalries and long-standing traditions of our NCAA teams, our robust club sports program and our state-of-the-art recreation facility, there's something for everyone.

Mustang Athletics

Football player catching the ball during a game.

Mustang Athletics

Cal Poly Athletics is home to 21 NCAA Division I teams mainly within the Big West Conference and have captured almost 50 conference championships.

Fans having a blast at a football game

For the Fans

Join a tailgate before we take on the UC Davis football team in the Battle of the Golden Horseshoe or paint your face green and gold as we go head-to-head with UC Santa Barbara in the Blue-Green rivalry soccer match.

All students are eligible for a free ticket to each regular season home game for all NCAA sporting events.

Cal Poly Athletics

Beyond the NCAA

The Cal Poly Tri team smile as a group in their booth at Open House

Competitive Club Sports

Club sports teams are entirely led by students and have brought home 18 National Championships. We currently offer 29 different club sports including basketball, rugby, soccer, ultimate frisbee, water polo and more. 

Club Sports

Cal Poly student on a horse at the rodeo

Intercollegiate Rodeo

Cal Poly Rodeo is one of the most successful programs in the history of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. We play host to the annual Poly Royal Rodeo where athletes compete for championship titles.

Cal Poly Rodeo

Two Cal Poly students play frisbee as the sun sets

Intramural Sports

Intramural Sports offers leagues, sports and tournaments in three divisions ranging from highly competitive to purely recreational. Past leagues and tournaments have include flag football, dodgeball, inner-tube water polo and more. 

Intramural Information

The rec center

The Rec Center includes a 20-lane Olympic-sized lap pool, a leisure pool, rock climbing park, personal training facilities, racquetball courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, locker rooms, an indoor track, fitness studios and more. A variety of classes are also available, including swim lessons, yoga, spin, strength training, HIIT, Pilates. It’s the perfect place to explore, recharge and escape.

Learn More about the Recreation Center

Students on a treadmill at the rec center

explore the outdoors

The campus is surrounded by mountains and canyons that are perfect for hiking, running and mountain biking. The student-run Poly Escapes program also plans outdoor adventures, rents equipment and runs a climbing park on campus.

Surfers heading into the water at Pismo Beach