Countries from which schools have participated included Canada, China, Denmark, Guernsey, Hungary, India, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Kenya, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Spain, and Ukraine as well as England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Research by Richard Cable of the BBC shows that Rosslyn Park started holiday games for schoolboys following the Great War.
In March 1997, a new competition was introduced for the U16s and it has been the policy during the past few years to invite schools from overseas who may be touring the UK to play in the tournament.
In 1998, the first girls (U18) competition was inaugurated, and a recent popular inclusion has been a sevens challenge match between Old Boys RFCs, the first of which was between Ampleforth and Millfield, who between them have won the senior tournaments a remarkable 21 times.
After Ben Gollings (currently world record points scorer on the IRB 7s circuit) took his Canford side to success in the 1997 Festival, the trophy was won either by Wellington or Cheltenham until Colston's School Bristol broke the trend in 2006.
The 2003 final seemed certain to be a record five on the trot for Wellington with their impressive international line-up, but Cheltenham turned round a 0-12 half-time deficit to win.
Colston's girls could not repeat their feat in 2008, falling to East Norfolk 6th Form College in a high-quality game, while Sedbergh won the Open Tournament.
Film highlights from the previous day were uploaded the next morning and mixed with the advertising content on a large LED screen.
The tournament is now recognised as a breeding ground for top British international rugby players, many of whom first started out playing in the competition.
Colin Stephens (Stradey School, Llanelli 1989) Other notable former players include rugby coaches Les Cusworth (Normanton Grammar, 1970/71) and Peter Rossborough (King Henry VIII Coventry, 1967), Liam Botham (Rossall, 1995), horse trainer Ian Balding (Marlborough, 1957) and Queen Elizabeth's grandson Peter Phillips (Port Regis Prep/Gordonstoun).