In a historic shift for one of Britain’s most cherished sporting traditions, the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race will move its television broadcast from the BBC to Channel 4 beginning in 2026. This marks the end of an era—after nearly nine decades of BBC coverage, the iconic rowing event is set for a new chapter, promising fresh perspectives and renewed energy for fans across the nation.
Channel 4’s announcement comes as part of a five-year rights deal, ensuring that both the Men’s and Women’s Boat Races will be broadcast free-to-air through 2030. The agreement also means Channel 4 will have the privilege of covering two major milestones: the 100th Women’s Boat Race in 2027 and the 200th Men’s Boat Race in 2029. The next edition of the event is scheduled for Easter Saturday, April 4, 2026, a date already circled in red by rowing enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.
The Boat Race, first contested in 1829, is more than just a sporting contest; it’s a British institution. The annual showdown between the Light Blues of Cambridge and the Dark Blues of Oxford along the River Thames is steeped in tradition, drama, and fierce rivalry. For many, it’s as much a part of the spring calendar as blooming daffodils and unpredictable weather. The BBC first broadcast the race on radio in 1927 and brought it to television screens in 1938, making it one of the oldest televised sporting events in the world. Except for a brief stint on ITV between 2005 and 2009, the BBC has been synonymous with the Boat Race for generations.
But times are changing. Channel 4, known for its innovative sports coverage—from the Paralympics to Formula 1 highlights—believes it can breathe new life into the regatta. Pete Andrews, Channel 4’s head of sport, expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled to have secured the rights to one of the most iconic amateur sports events in the British calendar. The Boat Race is rich in tradition and history and British interest in the event has never been stronger. It’s the crown jewel of the rowing calendar and consistently captures the imagination of the British public year after year, both on the side of the Thames and in living rooms across the country.”
Andrews also highlighted the event’s broad appeal, noting, “It is so much more broader than Oxford versus Cambridge. People are just used to watching what is an unbelievable event. It is a free party for London, costs nothing to watch and it’s something that is quintessentially British.” He hinted at Channel 4’s plans to inject new energy into the coverage, possibly drawing inspiration from the channel’s inclusive approach to the Paralympics and considering greater visibility for para-rowing and state school competitions held around the main event.
Channel 4’s sports portfolio has grown impressively in recent years. Besides the Boat Race, it now boasts live matches from the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Under-21 Championships, England’s home matches in the UEFA Nations League and European qualifiers, and highlights from Formula 1. Its coverage of England’s victorious U21 Euros campaign and Emma Raducanu’s US Open triumph have drawn praise for their freshness and accessibility. The Boat Race’s addition is seen as a natural fit for a broadcaster that prides itself on challenging the status quo.
For the BBC, the decision to relinquish the Boat Race was not taken lightly. In a statement, the corporation said, “We have been proud to broadcast the Boat Race over many years. Our decision not to continue reflects the difficult choices we need to make to ensure we deliver the best value for audiences with the money that we have.” BBC sources firmly denied reports that the event was viewed as "elitist," emphasizing that the move was purely a matter of return on investment. The BBC added, “We are pleased the Boat Race will remain available free-to-air and wish all involved in the event every success for the future.”
Siobhan Cassidy, chair of The Boat Race Company, echoed the sense of gratitude and anticipation: “We are delighted to work with Channel 4 to broadcast our unique, iconic and intensely British event between our two world-leading universities. We know that this is a huge day out for Londoners, and our independent research has shown that Boat Race Day generates £13-15 million in economic impact for London. We are grateful to the support of our previous broadcast partners and have come a long way since our first radio commentary in 1927 and television pictures in 1938. We look forward to seeing how Channel 4 can portray the drama, excitement and heritage of the event on Easter Saturday 2026!”
The numbers back up the event’s enduring popularity. In 2025, an estimated 250,000 fans lined the Thames to witness the spectacle in person, while a peak audience of 2.8 million tuned in from home. The women’s race, in particular, was the most-watched female sporting event of the year at that time—a testament to the growing appetite for women’s sport and the Boat Race’s ability to capture the public imagination. Cambridge, known as the Light Blues, currently leads the men’s head-to-head 88-81 and the women’s 30-21, after securing victories in both races in 2025.
Commercially, the Boat Race is also on the rise. The event entered into a sponsorship deal with fashion house Chanel last year, adding a touch of glamour to its already storied history. Pete Andrews noted, “This has a big audience; the biggest audience for women’s sport this year before the Euros in the summer was the Boat Race. That makes it easy to sell the advertising. Chanel is a brilliant name to have associated with it because it is an iconic brand.”
Specialist sports production company FilmNova will continue to produce the coverage, ensuring continuity in the quality and storytelling that fans have come to expect. Channel 4 will be formally welcomed as the new broadcaster at the traditional Presidents’ Challenge event at Somerset House, where the losing crew from the previous year’s race formally challenges the winners—a ritual that underscores the event’s deep-rooted traditions.
As the 2026 Boat Race approaches, anticipation is building—not just for the contest on the water, but for how Channel 4 will reimagine its coverage. Will new camera angles, behind-the-scenes features, and a more inclusive tone help the event reach even greater heights? Only time will tell. One thing’s for sure: the Boat Race remains a highlight of the British sporting calendar, and its next chapter promises to be as compelling as ever.
