Each Boat Race season is full of events, traditions and racing action.
Below are some of the key dates for your diary with details about what the event entails, how to get involved and for some select racing action, how to watch online. We will keep this up to date throughout the season but the best way to stay up to date is to become a subscriber.
16th November 2023 – The Official Launch & Presidents’ Challenge 2024
The countdown to the 2024 Boat Race officially began on 16th November with the annual Presidents’ Challenge ushering in another season of competition between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Learn more about it here including a gallery of images from the event.
13th December 2023 – Cambridge Trial Eights
The traditional trial eights race, Cambridge will field two matched crews from each squad to battle head to head over the full championship course as part of their ‘dress rehearsal’ for the main event on 30th March 2024.
With views across to the start of The Boat Race, you’re invited to join us at London Rowing Club to cheer the crews as they go out to race and welcome them as they return as well as follow all the racing on the ‘Big Screen’ in front of the fire. Secure your free ticket here.
15th December 2023 – Oxford Trial Eights
Two days after Cambridge, Oxford will also field two matched crews from each squad to battle head to head over the full championship course.
Once again, you’re invited to join us at London Rowing Club to cheer the crews as they go out to race and welcome them as they return as well as follow all the racing on the ‘Big Screen’ in front of the fire. Secure your free ticket here.
Fixture Series 1 – 28th January 2024
We’ve got two great races that we’ll be featuring in their entirety on the live stream as well as showing what we can of the other races in between PLUS we’re once again hosting spectators at the historic London Rowing Club so book your place and enjoy a warm fireside welcome before spaces run out!
Provisional Times:
-
- 13:20 – Broadcast Starts
- 13:40 – Oxford University BC Women v Oxford Brookes University
- 14:45 – Cambridge University BC Men v Dutch National Team
25th February 2024 – Media Fixture 2
Once again we’ll be live streaming two great races and once again we’ll be hosting spectators but this time a little bit further down the Putney Embankment at Thames Rowing Club so book your place and enjoy fantastic views in great company.
Provisional Times:
12:20 – Broadcast Starts
12:40 – Cambridge University BC Women v Thames Rowing Club
13:45 – Oxford University BC Men v Leander Club
13th March 2024 – Crew Announcement
On Wednesday 13th March, we invite you to join us at the incredible Battersea Power Station for the official crew announcement.
Free to attend there will be opportunities to have your photo taken with the Boat Race Trophies, Q&A with top alumni including Olympic Medalists and Andrew Cotter on hand to reveal the crews who will meet on the start line on 30th March for The Gemini Boat Race 2024.
Friday 29th March 2024 – Lightweight & Veteran Races
It would be wrong to call this the calm before the storm, it’s much more of a warm-up storm… the lightweight and veterans’ races.
When light and dark blue meet on the water it’s always going to be a showdown. Every victory just as sweet and any loss cutting just as deep as if it was The Gemini Boat Race itself.
Timetable:
14:13 – Women’s Lightweight Boat Race
14:33 – Women’s Veterans Race
14:53 – Men’s Veterans Race
15:13 – Men’s Lightweight Boat Race
Saturday 30th March 2024 – The Gemini Boat Race 2024
This years races will take place at the following times:
78th Women’s Race – 14:46
Women’s Reserve Race – 15:01
Men’s Reserve Race – 15:16
169th Men’s Race – 15:46
Whether you’re planning to watch on the BBC, in a fan park or in the luxury of hospitality don’t miss this year’s race. Visit our spectator information pages for full details about how you can enjoy this truly British spectacle.
