Channel 4, the UK free-to-air broadcaster, has snapped up exclusive domestic rights to the next five editions of the Boat Race, the annual rowing race contested by the English universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Through a tie-up unveiled today, Channel 4 will have sole rights for the 2026-30 cycle, taking these away from public broadcaster, the BBC, which has held the rights since 2010. Before that, the contest was aired by commercial broadcaster ITV.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The last contract between the BBC and the Boat Race was announced in late 2021.
Channel 4's coverage of the event will be produced by the specialist firm FilmNova, with the next cycle including both the centenary of the Women's Boat Race (2027) and the bicentenary of the Men's Boat Race (2029).
Both races, men's and women's, were won by Cambridge in 2025. The races' title sponsor is currently the French luxury and fashion iconic brand Chanel.
Pete Andrews, head of sports at Channel 4, has now said: "We are committed to bringing the very best sports events to our audience, both from the UK and around the globe, and The Boat Race is the perfect example. 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."
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataIn terms of Channel 4 rights acquisitions this year, in May, the broadcaster, alongside pay-TV's TNT Sports, was announced as a broadcast partner of English soccer's Women's FA Cup knockout tournament.
Elsewhere, the broadcaster covers live Formula 1 motor racing, the England men's national team soccer, and hockey.
Siobhan Cassidy, chair at The Boat Race Company, added: "We are delighted to work with Channel 4 to broadcast our unique, iconic and intensely British event between our two world-leading Universities.
"We are grateful for 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 [in 2026]."
