The annual regatta between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge is one of the oldest sporting events in the world. Held on the famous Championship Course (4 miles, 374 yards or 6.8 km long) on the River Thames between Putney and Mortlake, this highly anticipated contest is steeped in tradition and showcases elite rowing talent and fierce rivalry.
Watch The Boat Race 2026: stream Oxford vs Cambridge
The race starts downstream of Putney Bridge, passing under Hammersmith and Barnes Bridges and finishing just before Chiswick Bridge. Cambridge currently leads 88-81 in the men’s race and 49-30 in the women’s race, with both teams set to win in 2025.
In fact, Cambridge has won six of the last seven men’s races, with Oxford’s most recent victory coming in 2022. The picture is even more one-sided in the women’s race, where Cambridge has won every edition since 2017.
Will Oxford find form and close the gap, or will Cambridge continue its dominance? Read on to learn everything you need to know to watch a live stream of a 2026 regatta from anywhere.
How to Watch Boat Race 2026 Live Streams Online for FREE
It is possible watch Boat Race 2026 for FREE in many countries around the world, while the event is broadcast on channel 4 in the UK, RTVE in spain, France.tv in France and in the official sphere Olympic channel everywhere has not picked up a station.
If you’re based in the UK, Spain or an eligible country such as France but are abroad right now, don’t worry about missing out on the action – all you need to do is download a VPN to reconnect to your home streaming coverage.
Watch Boat Race live streams from abroad
Boat Race is broadcast on many platforms around the world, but what if you are abroad and don’t want to shell out for a new subscription or want your favorite commentary team?
This is where a VPN can help. It is a useful software that can make your device appear to be at home, so you can unlock your usual service or subscription from anywhere. Best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything you want at great speeds and at an even better price.
How to watch Boat Race live streams in the UK
As mentioned above, viewers in the UK can watch the 2026 regatta completely FREE on channel 4with live coverage starting at 1:30pm BST.
The women’s boat race will start at 2:21 pm BST and the men’s boat race at 3:21 pm BST.
Out of the UK this weekend? If you want to watch the regatta on Channel 4 while traveling abroad, you will need download NordVPNas detailed above.
How to watch Boat Race 2026 around the world
How to watch Boat Race online in the US, Canada and Australia
Overnight will broadcast The Boat Race 2026 live across North America, including the US and Canada, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
If you are currently outside your home country but still want to watch the race on your usual service, don’t forget to explore the VPN route established above.
2026 regatta calendar
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026
12:00: Chanel 4 coverage begins
14:21: 80th women’s regatta
14:31: Osiris vs Blondie Boat Regatta
14:51: Isis vs. Goldie boat race
15:21: 171st men’s regatta
2026 regatta teams
Oxford Women Boat Blue
Arc: Annie Anezakis (Pembroke)
2: Emily Molins (Saint Hilda)
3: Lilli Freischem (Ruben)
4: Julietta Camahort (Green Templeton)
5: Kyra Delray (Wolfson)
6: Esther Briz Zamorano (St Edmund Hall)
7: Sarah Marshall (Nuffield)
Stroke: Heidi Long (Lady Margaret Hall)
Cox: Louis Corrigan (Green Templeton)
CambridgeWomen’s Blue Boat
Arc: Gemma King (Saint John)
2: Isobel Campbell (Hughes Hall)
3: Charlotte Ebel (Newnham)
4: Carys Earl (Gonville and Caius)
5: Antonia Galland (Peterhouse)
6: Camille VanderMeer (Peterhouse)
7: Mia Freischem (Darwin)
Stroke: Aidan Wrenn-Walz (Fitzwilliam)
Cox: Matt Moran (Emmanuel)
Men’s Oxford Boat Blue
Bow: Felix Crabtree (Hertford)
2: Julian Schöberl (Green Templeton)
3: James Fetter (Oriel)
4: Fergus Pim (new)
5: Alex Underwood (Pembroke)
6: Jamie Arnold (Jesus)
7: Alexander Sullivan (Peephole)
Stroke: Harry Geffen (Keble)
Cox: Tobias Bernard (Magdalena)
CambridgeMen’s Blue Boat
Arc: Simon Hatcher (Peterhouse)
2: Noam Mouelle (Hughes Hall)
3: Kyle Fram (Lucy Cavendish)
4: Patrick Wild (Peterhouse)
5: Gabriel Obholzer (Peterhouse)
6: Alexander McClean (Hughes Hall)
7: William Klipstine (Hughes Hall)
Stroke: Frederik Breuer (Lucy Cavendish)
Cox: Sammy Houdaigui (Fitzwilliam)
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