When is the University Boat Race 2026? Here's when Oxford take on Cambridge, crews, route, TV times, records and prize
It’s one of the world’s most famous sporting spectacles.
First held in 1829, the Boat Race has seen crews from Oxford and Cambridge Universities race down the River Thames ever year since, with the exception of the First and Second World Wars and the global pandemic.
The first women’s event was held in 1927, with the official Women’s Boat Race taking place since 1964. It moved to the same day as the men’s race in 2018.
Each year around 250,000 people pack the banks of the river to watch, while millions more enjoy the sporting spectacle on television.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s event - the 171st time is has taken place.
When is The Boat Race 2026?
This year’s Boat Race takes place on Sunday, April 4.
What time do the races start in 2026?
Here’s the full schedule for the day’s racing.
- 2.21pm: 79th Women’s Boat Race
- 2.31pm: Women’s Reserve Race: Osiris v Blondie
- 2.51pm: Men’s Reserve Race: Isis v Goldie
- 3.21pm: 171st Men’s Boat Race
- 4pm: Presentation to winning teams (Mortlake)
Can I watch the Boat Race 2026 on television?
All the races will be broadcast live on Channel 4, with coverage starting at 1.30pm. You can also catch up on all the action on streaming.
What are the crews for the Boat Race 2026?
The crews for this year’s race have now been unveiled and are as follows:
Women’s Crews
Oxford Women’s Blue Boat 2026
- Louis Corrigan (Cox)
- Heidi Long (Stroke)
- Sarah Marshall
- Esther Briz Zamorano
- Kyra Delray
- Julietta Camahort
- Lilli Freischem
- Emily Molins
- Annie Anezakis
Cambridge Women’s Blue Boat 2026
- Matt Moran (Cox)
- Aidan Wrenn-Walz (Stroke)
- Mia Freischem
- Camille Vandermeer
- Antonia Galland
- Carys Earl
- Charlotte Ebel
- Isobel Campbell
- Gemma King
Men’s Crews
Oxford Men’s Blue Boat 2026
- Tobias Bernard (Cox)
- Harry Geffen (Stroke)
- Alex Sullivan
- Jamie Arnold
- Alex Underwood
- Fergus Pim
- James Fetter
- Julian Schöberl
- Felix Crabtree
Cambridge Men’s Blue Boat 2026
- Sammy Houdaigui (Cox)
- Frederik Breuer (Stroke)
- William Klipstine
- Alexander McClean
- Gabriel Obholzer
- Patrick Wild
- Kyle Fram
- Noam Mouelle
- Simon Hatcher
- Men’s Crews
Which team have won most Boat Races?
In the men’s race Cambridge lead the way with 88 wins, compared to Oxford’s 81. There has been one dead heat.
Cambridge also have the edge in the women’s race, with 48 wins to Oxford’s 30.
What is the record time for The Boat Race?
The record time over the course in The Men’s Boat Race is 16 minutes 19 seconds, set by Cambridge in 1998 and for The Women’s Boat Race is 18 minutes 33 seconds set by Cambridge in 2017.
What is the route of The Boat Race 2026?
Known as the Championship Course, the rowers have to complete a course which is 4 miles, 374 yards (6.8 km) on the River Thames in South West London. It starts downstream of Putney Bridge and passes under Hammersmith Bridge and Barnes Bridge before finishing just before Chiswick Bridge.
What do the winners of The Boat Race 2026 get?
The winners do not receieve a cash prize - just a trophy.
The winning men’s team are presented with The Aberdeen Quaich, which was created in 2000.
The winning women’s team are presented with The Newton Trophy, as they have been since 2014.
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