The Insider’s Guide To The Boat Race 2026

Rowing is a famously popular pastime in both Oxford and Cambridge, with students of the prestigious universities committing many an early morning to having a crack at the distinctive sport, in which eight rowers become one body (that is, the boat). Unlike other team sports, there’s no individuality or ‘player of the match’ and no points scored: you win as one, or you lose as one. Steered by a coxswain – who doubles as the motivator, safety officer and so-called ‘coach in the boat’ – it’s a remarkably unique set up. But I’m biased: I coxed for three years during my time at Cambridge.

Side-by-side races take place across the calendar in Oxford and Cambridge, so why do Oxbridge rowers descend on London’s River Thames every spring? Dating as far back as the early 19th century, below we’ve gathered everything you need to know about the Boat Race ahead of its return in April.

If you’ve never tuned in (or watched from the bank of the Thames), 2026 is high time to get to know it: last year marked the first in a five-year partnership with title sponsor Chanel, and in 2026 there’s even more newness to enjoy, all with a rather luxurious slant. For one, there’s an official food partner (Fortnum & Mason), and for two the rowers are decked out in fresh Le Chameau wellies in another new partnership. More pubs and restaurants than ever before are preparing for increased footfall around the Thames.

All in all, it’s shaping up to be an exceptional year. But first…

What Is The Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race?

The Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race – otherwise simply known as ‘the Boat Race’ – is an annual side-by-side rowing race along a section of the River Thames in London, on the S-shaped stretch between Putney Bridge and Chiswick Bridge.

As chair of The Boat Race Company Siobhan Cassidy puts it: ‘The Boat Race is an age-old rivalry first raced by crews from Oxford and Cambridge University in 1829, recognised as one of the world’s oldest and most famous amateur sporting events. It offers an unrivalled educational experience to the student athletes who take part. The world-famous sporting event between the UK’s two greatest universities spans nearly 200 years of rivalry and has become synonymous with British tradition and excellence.’

In 2026, The Boat Race will take place on Saturday 4 April – a break from the Sunday tradition – under the title ‘The CHANEL J12 Boat Race’. It is named for the house’s iconic J12 unisex watch, itself inspired by J Class 12-metre racing boats from the early 20th century, in Chanel’s second year as the title sponsor of the race.

Vintage engraving of The Boat Race in 19th century London.

A Brief History Of The Boat Race

In 1829, one Cambridge student challenged an Oxford student to a rowing race at Henley-on-Thames; naturally, they attended Harrow School together. Allegedly, they somehow attracted a crowd of 20,000 spectators, who watched Oxford defeat Cambridge ‘easily’. Disorganisation meant the competition wasn’t repeated until 1836, when the River Thames played host to a new band of men. It happened again in 1839, and then again the year after, and the year after that, and thus began the annual Boat Race. In fact, part of the annual tradition is that the loser challenges the winner to a rematch.

Except for the years 1915–1919, 1940–1945 and 2020, the race has occurred annually since 1856, spanning eras and observing monumental changes in society. As Siobhan Cassidy puts it, The Boat Race ‘has evolved a lot’ over the years. ‘What was initially viewed as a niche university contest grew to become a global cultural event which represents the ceremonial start of the British summer of sport in London,’ the Boat Race Company chair says.

‘There have been changes to the format along the way,’ Cassidy adds. ‘If we take the Women’s Boat Race as an example, the first edition in 1927 was very different to today.’ That race was rowed on Oxford’s River Isis, and the crews were forbidden from racing side-by-side. ‘Back then, crews were judged on “style and time” rather than side-by-side racing, before the format changed in 1935,’ Cassidy says. ‘More recently, the most significant change came in 2015 when the Women’s Boat Race moved from Henley on Thames to The Championship Course on the Tideway. 2025 marked 10 years since the men’s and women’s races achieved full parity by being held on the same day and receiving the same broadcast and media coverage.’

Who Competes?

The competitors are all amateur rowers and current students of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious universities: the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. This means they are not paid athletes but instead are full time students studying a course that results in a degree – and this is a strictly enforced rule, as recent years have proved.

In 2025, Oxford argued that Cambridge’s PGCE students should not be allowed to compete because the teaching qualification is a ‘certificate’ not a ‘degree’; an independent Interpretation Panel ruled in Oxford’s favour, with two Cambridge rowers and a cox subsequently ousted from the race. This was binding and not without controversy – Olympic champion rower and Cambridge and Boat Race alum Imogen Grant for one described the move as ‘an insult to teachers everywhere and a desperate ploy from Oxford to gain an upper hand in the most slimy way’. PGCE students from both universities have rowed in The Boat Race in the past without any issues.

The 2026 Boat Race crews were revealed by long-time commentator (and Cambridge alum) Clare Balding at London’s Somerset House on 12 March, just a few weeks before the big day. Having previously rowed (and won) for Cambridge herself, Cassidy describes The Boat Race as ‘the culmination of months of intense training, selection pressure, and preparation all balanced alongside a full-time academic schedule’.

The rowers walk their boats into the River Thames, wearing Le Chameau wellies, of course.

The 2026 crews are:

Cambridge Women

• Cox – Matt Moran
• Stroke – Aidan Wrenn-Walz
• 7 – Mia Freischem
• 6 – Camille Vandermeer (gold medalist at the 2025 World Rowing Championships)
• 5 – Antonia Galland
• 4 – Carys Earl
• 3 – Charlotte Ebel
• 2 – Isobel Campbell
• Bow – Gemma King (President)

Oxford Women

• Cox – Louis Corrigan
• Stroke – Heidi Long (President and Olympic bronze medallist)
• 7 – Sarah Marshall
• 6 – Esther Briz Zamorano
• 5 – Kyra Delray
• 4 – Julietta Camahort
• 3 – Lilli Freischem
• 2 – Emily Molins
• Bow – Annie Anezakis

Did you spot it? Cambridge’s 7-seat Mia Freischem is up against her sister Lilli Freischem who rows in Oxford’s 3-seat in the first sister match-up since 2004.

Cambridge Men

• Cox – Sammy Houdagui
• Stroke – Freddy Breuer
• 7 – Will Klipstine
• 6 – Lexi Maclean
• 5 – Gabriel Obholzer
• 4 – Patrick Wild
• 3 – Kyle Fram
• 2 – Noam Mouelle (President)
• Bow – Simon Hatcher

Oxford Men

• Cox – Tobias Bernard (President)
• Stroke – Harry Geffen
• 7 – Alex Sullivan
• 6 – Jamie Arnold
• 5 – Alex Underwood
• 4 – Fergus Pim
• 3 – James Fetter
• 2 – Julian Schöberl
• Bow – Felix Crabtree

Men’s Presidents Noam Mouelle and Tobias Bernard make history as the first French nationals to lead the two Men’s crews, while Cambridge’s Gabriel Obholzer continues a family tradition: both of his parents have competed in The Boat Race.

Cambridge has won more Boat Races, with the men leading 88–81 against Oxford after 170 races (the 1877 race was declared a ‘dead heat’). Though the statistics are close, Cambridge has actually been winning the rivalry in cumulative wins since 1930 – so Oxford has a big mission on its hands to snatch the title.

On the women’s side, Cambridge also leads, with 49 wins to Oxford’s 30 after 79 races. If the Cambridge women win in 2026, it’ll mark eight consecutive defeats for Oxford.

(Gilly Photography)

How Does The Day Work?

Despite the singular name, six races make up the competition. They are all rowed on the Championship Course, a 4.25 mile stretch of the River Thames from Putney to Mortlake, used throughout the year for other races including the Head of the River Race(s) and the Boustead Cup.

‘The Boat Race is unlike any other race you’ll ever compete in; either you win or you don’t,’ Cassidy says. ‘When you consider that the Olympic rowing distance is 2km – reducing down to 1.5km for the 2028 Olympics – The Boat Race distance of 6.8km is a totally unique test of mental and physical fortitude, and often in conditions that are very difficult to handle.

‘When the crews arrive on Boat Race Day and make their way through thousands of people, it can feel like stepping into a pressure cooker, but it’s one you’ve trained all year to handle,’ she adds. ‘Once the racing begins, you can’t really hear the crowds. The first minute of the race you are going off pure adrenaline, before the pain starts to kick in. From there, it’s all about holding on until the finish!’

This year marks the 80th Women’s Boat Race and the 171st Men’s Boat Race. The full line-up is:

• The men
• The women
• The men’s reserves (Isis v Goldie)
• The women’s reserves (Osiris v Blondie)
• The men’s lightweights
• The women’s lightweights

However, the lightweight races take place on a different day. This year, the lightweights will race on Friday 3 April.

Before all of that, spectators can enjoy the Festival of Rowing, ‘a procession of traditional watergoing rowing boats organised by the Thames Traditional Rowing Association, with a procession from Mortlake to Putney and back,’ Cassidy explains. ‘In previous years, this has included the Royal Barge Gloriana which is always so memorable to view in action on the river.’

If you are watching from home, however, you won’t get to see much of this. In London, ‘crowds line popular viewing spots along the course including Putney Bridge, Hammersmith Bridge, and riverside pubs – creating a festival‑like atmosphere,’ Cassidy says.

Where To Watch The Boat Race

Because The Boat Race ‘is deeply embedded in British culture,’ as Cassidy puts it, around 200,000 people are expected to head down to the riverside and watch it in person. The record is 2017 when 250,000 spectators showed up, with a peak TV audience of 2.63 million in 2023 on the BBC’s broadcast.

Why? ‘I think people enjoy celebrating London’s party by the river. It’s a fun day out! And I think the unique rivalry – between student athletes who take part for the love of their sport whilst studying at two world leading universities – keeps people coming back,’ the chair says.

A big draw? Anyone and everyone can watch for free. ‘The Boat Race has a proud history of offering Londoners and visitors free access to a sporting spectacle that has been reliably entertaining and delivering drama for generations,’ Cassidy says.

‘The Fulham Fan Zone is one of the best places to watch The Boat Race and is devoted to fun for all the family,’ she recommends. ‘The Hammersmith fan zone in Furnivall Gardens has a giant screen available for everyone to watch Channel 4’s TV coverage live as well as fantastic access to the river to watch the crews pass by.

‘For a more premium option, and to spend the afternoon with Boat Race alumni, why not try our hospitality offerings at The Blues’ Club at Fulham Pier or The Presidents’ Club at Thames Rowing Club on Putney Embankment,’ Cassidy adds.

As for pubs, the chair recommends The Duke’s Head as ‘a great place to sip a pint and see pre-race paddles, offering a fantastic view of the start’. Otherwise: ‘the large terrace at Sam’s Riverside provides spectacular views of Hammersmith Bridge,’ she adds. ‘Sandwiched between Furnivall rowing club and the Riverside Studios theatre, The Rutland Arms is a great pub/restaurant to watch the racing and a bit roomier than its neighbour the Blue Anchor.’

Putney Bridge

Here’s a run down of the most popular viewing spots:

• Putney Bridge: This is the course’s start line, with a bird’s eye view of the boats as they make their splashy start – the perfect spot if you like a touch of drama. Note that the bridge fills up very fast, so this one’s for the early birds.
• Barnes Bridge: Filling up even faster than Putney Bridge is Barnes Bridge, which is basically the finish line. Venture here to be the first to see the winner cross the finish line.
• Hammersmith: While Hammersmith Bridge will, once again, be closed to spectators, leafy Hammersmith has plenty of riverside spots and walking trails to watch the action from. This is a crucial point in the race, just ahead of the bend, when one crew starts to pull ahead of the other. The Thames Reach, in particular, is a path on the north bank, just south of the bridge – a vast stretch of viewing space.
• Mortlake: While Barnes Bridge is basically the finish line, there’s actually a few more minutes of rowing after the landmark, taking the rowers to the real finish line in Mortlake. Spectators can venture to the bank to glimpse those final crucial minutes and the rowers celebrating their win as they paddle just beyond Chiswick Bridge – but make sure to bring your wellies! Or try Dukes Meadows for a drier experience.
• Putney Embankment: If you don’t make it to Putney Bridge in time, join the herds of spectators watching from Putney Embankment, where the tow path has a great view of the race’s early action.
• Furnivall Gardens: Or try Hammersmith’s Fan Park, Furnivall Gardens, for big screens and BYOB galore complete with toilets, street food, and beer from Shepherd Neame.
• Bishop’s Park: At Fulham’s official Fan Park, Bishop’s Park, where visitors can expect street food, a big screen and even a brass band. This year, a special collaboration with the soon-to-open Fulham Pier and its Riverside Market means fans can get a first glimpse of the brand new food hall, with pop-ups, street food, live music and a whopping 14 screens showcasing the action.

What To Wear

‘Definitely check the forecast if you’re attending in person, but wherever you’re watching, we’re encouraging everyone to pick a blue,’ Cassidy says, referring to the universities’ traditional colours.

‘That’s the beauty of The Boat Race – anyone can choose a team, regardless of whether they have a personal connection to either university,’ Cassidy adds. ‘We’d love to see as many people as possible representing either the light blue of Cambridge or the dark blue of Oxford.’

When Is The Boat Race On TV?

‘This year’s event – The CHANEL J12 Boat Race 2026 – will be broadcast live on Channel 4, with coverage starting from 1.30pm BST on Easter Saturday, 4 April,’ Cassidy says.

This is the first time the BBC has not had TV rights in a long time (ITV had the rights from 2005 to 2009), after a landmark five-year deal was struck with Channel 4 earlier this year. And with Times Radio snatching the radio rights, the BBC won’t have any broadcasting coverage at all for the first time in nearly a century. Regardless, Balding returns to host and commentate.

‘The Women’s Boat Race starts at 2:21pm, with the Men’s Boat Race following at 3:21pm,’ Cassidy adds. ‘The reserve races take place in between – with the women’s reserves at 2:36pm and the men’s reserves at 2:51pm. The presentation to the winning crews will take place at 4pm in the finish area at Mortlake.’ Cue champagne celebrations.

That’s the following times:

• 2.21 pm: 80th Women’s Boat Race
• 2.36 pm: Osiris v Blondie Race (Women’s Reserve)
• 2.51 pm: Isis v Goldie Race (Men’s Reserve)
• 3.21 pm: 171st Men’s Boat Race

Note that the reserve races are not usually televised.

Still plotting your day? Find special menus and drinks deals galore at these riverside pubs and restaurants, all with views of the action.