An annual tradition, Trial VIIIs provides some of the most thrilling racing of the season.
It’s a dress rehearsal for the rowers, coxes, coaches and umpires and is the ONLY time during a Boat Race season that the clubs will race the complete Championship Course from Putney to Mortlake in a one-on-one duel with another crew before The Boat Race itself.
You can follow all the action right here on The Boat Race website via a Live Blog – check back here on the day when we will be live!
Join us to watch the Trial VIIIs races in person (booking required – see below) from the comfort of Thames Rowing Club in Putney with:
- Free tea and coffee on arrival and a cash bar
- Fireside chats and Q&As hosted by Boat Race commentator Jonathan Legard with guest speakers David Davis MP on Cambridge Trial VIIIs day and political journalist Jo Coburn on Oxford Trial VIIIs day.
- Big screen display of the live blog summarising all the action out on the water
- The opportunity to complete your Christmas shopping from our Boat Race merchandise popup shop as well as from selected independent artisan vendors.
Tickets cost £5 per day.
Note that Trial VIIIs will not be live streamed this year.
Book to watch Cambridge Trial VIIIs on Thursday 18 December (9am-2.30pm)
Head Coaches Paddy Ryan (Women) and Rob Baker (Men) will pitch their two crews against each other on Thursday 18 December 2025.
- Women’s Race – 10.45am
- Men’s Race – 11.46am
- Presentations – 1pm
Guest speaker David Davis MP
David has been Secretary of State of Brexit, Minister for Europe and Shadow Home Secretary among other roles in a career in politics stretching back to his first election as an MP in 1987. David served in the Territorial Army’s 21 Brigade SAS before a career in business and then in politics.
Book to watch Oxford Trial VIIIs on Friday 19 December (10am-3.30pm)
Head Coaches Allan French (Women) and Mark Fangen-Hall (Men) will unleash their squads on themselves on Friday 19 December 2025.
- Women’s Race – 11.24am
- Men’s Race – 12.24pm
- Presentations – 2pm
Guest speaker Jo Coburn
Jo is a British journalist on Times Radio, previously a BBC political correspondent and presenter. She has covered eight general elections, two referendums and the first London Mayoral election. Jo studied Middle Eastern politics and Hebrew Studies as a postgraduate at the University of Oxford.
Trial VIIIs FAQs
How do the Trial VIIIs work?
Each coach takes the top sixteen rowers and top two coxes and splits them into two evenly matched crews who will then race one another.
For about a week before the race they’ll train and bond as a crew with laser focus on beating the other crew in a bid to earn the all important bragging rights for the rest of the season.
What’s the point of a club racing itself?
There are lots of benefits to the coach in seeing how well the athletes bond and contribute to building a strong team and in particular how well the coxes cope with the pressure of an official Boat Race Umpire judging their steering.
And for the viewer, it’s some of the tightest racing action you’ll see all year because the coaches have gone out of their way to match the crews (sometimes swapping athletes the days before if one crew starts going faster than the other).
Where can I watch Trial VIIIs?
If you’re in London, then the best place to watch is at the start in Putney. To join us at Thames Rowing Club (Putney Embankment, London SW15 1LB), please click here to purchase a £5 ticket for the day. Thames Rowing Club will be playing host to spectators looking for a fantastic vantage point on the balcony overlooking the start as well as a warm fire, refreshments, guest speakers, and a cash bar.