Each Boat Race season is full of events, traditions and racing action.
Below are some of the key dates for your diary with details about what the event entails, how to get involved and for some select racing action, how to watch online. We will keep this up to date throughout the season but the best way to stay up to date is to sign up for our free newsletter.
1 October 2025 – The Presidents’ Challenge 2026
The countdown to the 2026 Boat Race officially began on 1 October with the annual Presidents’ Challenge ushering in another season of competition between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
18 December 2025 – Cambridge Trial Eights
In the traditional trial eights races, Cambridge fielded matched crews from each squad who battled head to head over the full Championship Course as part of their ‘dress rehearsal’ for the main event on 4 April 2026.
19 December 2025 – Oxford Trial Eights
The following day, Oxford also fielded matched crews from each squad to battle head to head over the full Championship Course.
Fixture Series
24 January 2026: OUBC women v London RC (15:31) POSTPONED (new date TBA)
22 February 2026: CUBC women v Leander (15:15)
7 March 2026: OUBC men v Oxford Brookes (15:23)
8 March 2026: CUBC women and men v Dutch National Squad (14:53 and 15:53) – Media fixture – Buy tickets >>
21 March 2026: OUBC women v Leander (13:34) plus OUBC men training – Media fixture – Buy tickets >>
22 March 2026: CUBC men v Leander (15:10)
12 March 2026 – Crew Announcement
The Crew Announcement for The Boat Race 2026 will take place at Somerset House, London starting at 11am.
This is a public event that all are welcome to attend; tickets are not required but we ask you to register so we can monitor numbers.
Friday 3 April 2026 – Lightweight and Veteran Races
Timetable:
13:50 – Women’s Lightweight Boat Race
14:10 – Women’s Veteran Race
14:25 – Men’s Veteran Race
14:50 – Men’s Lightweight Boat Race
Saturday 4 April 2026 – The Boat Race 2026
Timetable:
14:21 – 80th Women’s Boat Race (Oxford v Cambridge)
14:36 – Women’s Reserve Race (Osiris v Blondie)
14:51 – Men’s Reserve Race (Isis v Goldie)
15:21 – 171st Men’s Race (Oxford v Cambridge)
Whether you’re planning to watch on Channel 4, in a fan park or in luxury at one of our hospitality venues, don’t miss this year’s race! Visit our spectator information pages for full details about how you can enjoy this truly British spectacle.
