Founded in 1893, the Cities District team - and its corresponding Provinces District team - was created, thus halving Scotland's representative rugby union area in two.
[1] To include other players when selecting the international team, the Cities v Provinces District match was introduced by the Scottish Rugby Union in the 1893–94 season.
The match was first played on Saturday 23 December 1893.
The Provinces District was deemed a 'Rest of Scotland' side; though the 'Rest of Scotland' term was fluid dependent on the opposition.
[2] The most recent Cities District match was an Under 23 side that faced Black Lion from Tbilisi in Georgia on 25 April 2024 in Edinburgh.