The Boat Race 2026 takes place on Saturday 4 April as Oxford and Cambridge renew their historic rivalry in the 171st renewal.
The Boat Race 2026 returns to the River Thames on Saturday 4 April, bringing with it one of the most iconic rivalries as Oxford University Boat Club and Cambridge University Boat Club go head-to-head once again along the famous Championship Course.
Set against the backdrop of London’s River Thames, the 4.25-mile stretch between Putney and Mortlake will host tens of thousands of spectators lining the banks, with millions more watching from afar.
The 2026 edition marks the 171st Men’s Boat Race and the 80th Women’s Boat Race, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1829 for the men and 1927 for the women.
This year’s schedule sees the women’s race take place at 14:21, followed by the reserve and men’s reserve races, before the men’s showdown at 15:21.
Cambridge enter the day with momentum, having dominated recent renewals and aiming to extend their winning runs in both the men’s and women’s races. Cambridge men have won six of the last seven renewals while Cambridge women have won the last eight.
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The Boat Race 2026 Odds
Men's Boat Race Odds
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cambridge | 1/8 |
| Oxford | 9/2 |
| Dead Heat | 100/1 |
Women's Boat Race Odds
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Oxford Women | 2/5 |
| Cambridge Women | 15/8 |
| Dead Heat | 100/1 |
Who is the favourite to win the 2026 Boat Race?
In the men’s Boat Race, Cambridge’s strong position at 1/8 (Betfred) is underpinned by both recent dominance and the strength of their lineup, which includes experienced Blues such as Noam Mouelle and Simon Hatcher, alongside high-level international additions like Germany’s Frederik Breuer - who raced in the men’s eight at the Paris 2024 Olympics - and Australia’s Alexander McClean, a World Cup medallist who also competed at the 2025 World Championships.
They are further bolstered by Gabriel Obholzer, an under-23 world champion and multiple gold medallist, highlighting the depth and proven pedigree across the crew. Cambridge’s recent record - six wins in seven and increasingly dominant margins - reinforces why bookmakers have them as heavy favourites.
In contrast, Oxford’s 9/2 reflects both their rebuilding phase and inconsistency in results, despite a squad featuring athletes such as Harry Geffen, a four-time under-23 world champion, and international performers including Julian Schölberl (lightweight world medallist) and Jamie Arnold (under-23 world medallist). While individually strong, Oxford’s lack of cohesion compared to Cambridge’s established core explains their outsider status.
In the women’s Boat Race, the odds are far closer, with Oxford Women priced at 2/5 and Cambridge at 15/8, largely due to Oxford’s continuity and recent form.
Oxford retain six members from last year’s Blue Boat, including President Annie Anezakis, while key figures such as Heidi Long, a Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist in the British women’s eight, and Esther Briz Zamorano, a Spanish Olympian and Beach Sprint world champion, add proven international quality to the crew.
Further strength comes from athletes like Kyra Delray, a European A-finalist and world medallist, and returning contributor Sarah Marshall, a multiple-time Blue. Cambridge Women, meanwhile, still possess considerable firepower, led by president Gemma King, who has five Boat Race wins, and two-time winning Blue Carys Early, alongside standout newcomers such as Antonia Galland, a German international who competed in the women’s eight at the 2023 World Championships, and Camille VanderMeer, a World Championship gold medallist in the women’s four.
However, Oxford’s greater squad continuity and proven international performers in key seats is a major factor in them being slight favourites in what is expected to be a closely contested race.
