ONE of the oldest sporting events in the world returns this weekend as Oxford and Cambridge clash in the iconic Boat Race.
The , when two friends challenged one another when rowing together.
The 2026 crews at the Boat Race launch eventCredit: PA
Cambridge completed the double over Oxford last yearCredit: The Times
The first edition was raced in Henley-on-Thames, but has since moved further into .
The event has grown from a once friendly challenge into a staple of the British , with over 200,000 people expected to line the River Thames on race day.
‘s men have won the race for the last four years, while the women have won for three successive years.
Among ‘s ranks in their attempt to reclaim The Aberdeen Quaich is under-23 world champion and 2028 hopeful Harry Geffen.
has all the information on the historic Boat Race course
Boat Race 2026 course guide
Known as the ‘Championship Course’, the Boat Race stretched across four miles and 374 yards of the River Thames from Putney to Mortlake in South West London.
The start
The race starts at the University Boat Race Stone, which is set into the embankment next to Putney Bridge.
Two stake boats are moored to allow the competitors’ bows to be in line with the stone.
This is a great location for fans to soak in the atmosphere of race day, as well as watch the coin toss and cheer the crews out.
It is at the start of the race where teams will row past the London Rowing Club, as well as various boat houses and clubs such as Westminster School, Kings College and Imperial College.
Fulham Pier/Bishops Park
Less than a mile into the race, the teams will row past one of the official Boat Race fan zones in Fulham.
It sits at Bishops Park and Fulham Pier, allowing fans to watch the race for the first time from the riverside path which runs behind ‘s stadium, Craven Cottage.
The stadium has also become a landmark of the race with the new which overlooks the Thames.
Here, the fan zone will be a great environment to watch the race with food and drink available, as well as big screens to see the action unfold.
The Riverside Stand at Craven CottageCredit: Getty
Mile post
The mile point comes on the straight between the Fulham fan zone and Hammersmith Bridge, allowing teams to try to gain an advantage before the crucial turn coming up.
Hammersmith Bridge
The Hammersmith Bridge lies at the first main turn of the race, with this point of the track seeing 80% of the leading crews go on to win.
This is due to the Surrey bend coming into play, which is the south side of the river – the team who wins the coin toss is able to choose their preferred side.
Here, the cox on the side of the Thames can aim to capitalise on their advantage and push the Middlesex crew as wide as possible.
Cambridge hold the record of the fastest time to get to Hammersmith Bridge for both the men’s and women’s teams, with 6 minutes and 20 seconds for the men and seven minutes and eight seconds for the women.
The two teams at the Hammersmith Bridge during the 2019 Boat RaceCredit: AFP
Chiswick Eyot
After passing the second fan zone in Hammersmith and the two mile post, rowers will reach the Chiswick Eyot at the end of the first long turn.
This area is a small island which is a nature reserve – it was used for growing osiers previously.
The river becomes straight for a moment here, causing crews to be exposed to rougher weather conditions.
Barnes Bridge
This is the final bridge the crews will pass under before the end of the race, and can prove to be a pivotal area.
The Thames turns sharply towards the finish in Chiswick, giving an advantage to the crew on the inside.
Though it isn’t an official fan zone here, it can be great area for fans to catch a glimpse of the race and cheer their side home as they make the final turn.
The finish
As the teams make the turn through Barnes Bridge, the finish is just up ahead before Chiswick Bridge.
The finish line is marked by the University Boat Race Stone on the Surrey Bank, as well as a post on the Middlesex side.
Fans line the Thames in either celebration or disappointment, but nothing gets in the way of a brilliant atmosphere across South West London on race day.
Cambridge also hold the record in the men’s and women’s race, with the men’s record coming in 1998 for 16 minutes 19 seconds, and the women in 2017 for 18 minutes 33 seconds.
When is the Boat Race 2026?
- The will take place on Saturday, April 4.
- The women’s race will start at 2.21pm GMT and the men’s event will begin at 3.21pm GMT.
Fans lined Chiswick Bridge last year to celebrate Cambridge’s success in the men’s and women’s Boat RacesCredit: The Times
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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