The Boat Race 2022 Returns to Championship Course in London
London, 14 October 2021. The Boat Race will return to its celebrated Championship Course on the river Thames in London and will take place on Sunday 3 April 2022.
Due to the challenge of planning a high-profile sporting event around COVID-19 related restrictions at the time, the 2021 race location was moved and took place behind closed doors, at Ely, Cambridgeshire.
However, with the latest Government guidance, the lifting of social restrictions and more certainty for organisations to host live events going forward, the 76th Women’s and the 167th Men’s Boat Races are excited to return to the famous Championship Course that stretches over 4.25 miles of the tidal Thames in West London between Putney and Mortlake. The Women’s Boat Race will start at 14.23 and the Men’s Boat Race will begin at 15.23.
The world-famous sporting event between the UK’s two historic universities – Oxford and Cambridge – spans 185 years of rivalry and the Race has become synonymous with British tradition and excellence. The Race has established itself as the epitome of amateur sport, raced by scholar athletes who combine academic rigour with elite physical prowess. There is no greater occasion.
Last season’s Race saw Cambridge's Women win with a margin of victory being almost a length and at a winning time of 16 minutes and 29 seconds. The Men’s Race culminated in Cambridge defeating Oxford by just under one length while the Reserves Races saw Cambridge make a grand slam victory for a third consecutive year after Goldie won the men's and Blondie won the women's Reserves Races.
With a new strategy, The Boat Race Company Limited (BRCL) now has a renewed focus on further developing this great event. BRCL’s Chair, Tim Senior, said “The Boat Race is one of the most iconic events in world sport, but our supporters missed out on it over the last two seasons due to COVID-19 so we are looking forward to welcoming them and the crews back to London in 2022. We will continue to enhance all aspects of the race, delivering an exceptional experience for the athletes, spectators and viewers alike, while celebrating the event’s heritage and connection with our loyal community of supporters. Our vision is to further grow The Boat Race’s engagement and experience for existing and new audiences.’’
Cambridge University Boat Club’s Women’s President, Bronya Sykes (Gonville & Caius College, Withington Girls School) said, "I'm hugely excited for The Boat Races' return to the Tideway in 2022. The Ely Boat Races were the perfect place for the 2021 Races in the COVID-19 pandemic and both Women's and Men's Races were great contests. But the Tideway is the home of The Boat Races, and we're looking forward to the atmosphere and challenge of racing that you can only get racing against Oxford from Putney to Mortlake. We're truly grateful for BRCL's work in getting The Race back to the Tideway, and to being part of one of the UK's great traditional contests."
Oxford University Men’s Boat Club’s President, Martin Barakso (Oriel College, Princeton University, Brentwood College School) said, ‘’It is extremely exciting that The Boat Race is returning to London after two long years. Oxford is very much looking forward to racing again on the Championship Course. Both the Women and Men have had a strong start to the season and have established a solid foundation on which to build on over the next six months. Thank you to the BRCL for their tireless work in organizing what is shaping up to be a thrilling contest on the Tideway.’’
The Race is regularly attended by over 250,000 spectators at the banks of the river and watched by more than 5 million on television. Spectator entry is free on Race day with a range of food and hospitality options on offer along the river. A schedule of Race day offering and where fans can watch The Race online if unable to attend in person, will be made available nearer to Race day on The Boat Race’s social media channels and website.
“The Boat Race is one of the most iconic events in world sport and we are looking forward to welcoming our supporters and the crews back to London in 2022.’’
Our Partners
