Television coverage of the annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge universities will move from the BBC to Channel 4 under a new five-year rights deal starting in 2026. Channel 4 said it was 'thrilled' to secure the rights to both the Men's and Women's Boat Races, describing the event as the 'crown jewel of the rowing calendar'.
The BBC, which first broadcast the race on radio in 1927 and televised it in 1938, said it had been 'proud to broadcast the Boat Race over many years'. However, it added: '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.' The corporation denied a report that its director of sport viewed the event as 'elitist', insisting the decision was purely based on return on investment.
Channel 4's head of sport, Pete Andrews, said: 'The Boat Race is rich in tradition and history and British interest in the event has never been stronger.' Specialist production company FilmNova will continue to produce the coverage. The next edition takes place on Easter Saturday, 4 April 2026.
Siobhan Cassidy, chair of The Boat Race Company, said: 'We are delighted to work with Channel 4 to broadcast our unique, iconic and intensely British event. We look forward to seeing how Channel 4 can portray the drama, excitement and heritage of the event.' The BBC added it was pleased the race would remain free-to-air.
