2026 Boat Race Shifts to Channel 4 Broadcast

The 2026 Boat Race, pitting the universities of Oxford and Cambridge against each other in one of Britain's oldest sporting traditions, is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, along a 4.25-mile stretch of the River Thames in southwest London. The women's race will start at 2:21 p.m., followed by the men's event at 3:21 p.m., with both crews navigating the historic course from Putney to Mortlake.

This year's edition marks the 80th women's Boat Race, which began in 1927, and the 171st for the men, dating back to 1829. The event draws massive crowds, with more than 200,000 spectators expected to line the riverbanks, cheering from spots like Putney Embankment, Hammersmith Bridge, and Chiswick Bridge near the finish line. Organizers anticipate high energy, as Cambridge seeks to extend its recent dominance while Oxford aims to reclaim victories in both races.

A significant change for 2026 involves broadcasting rights shifting from the BBC, which had covered the event since 1924 except for brief periods, to Channel 4 under a five-year deal. Coverage will air live from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., presented by Clare Balding alongside commentators including Alex Jacques, Martin Cross, and Jess...