Need to know
Why is Boat Race 2026 not on the BBC? Huge TV change explained
The iconic Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race will have a new home for the 2026 edition of the event
The Boat Race is a must-see sporting event for many every year(Image: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
All you need to know about the huge change to the Boat Race broadcast for 2026:
- New era: The 2026 Boat Race is not appearing on the BBC because the broadcasting rights for the historic event have officially moved to Channel 4. This change marks the end of a long-standing partnership between the race organisers and the national broadcaster.
- Five-year deal: The new agreement will see the broadcaster provide coverage of both the Oxford v Cambridge Men’s Boat Race and Women’s Boat Race for the next five years, starting in 2026. The Boat Race attracted record viewership numbers in 2025, with The Women’s Boat Race the most-watched female sporting event in 2025 at the time.
- Free-to-air: The decision follows a new multi-year agreement that grants the channel exclusive rights to show both the men's and women's elite races. This deal ensures that the competition remains available on free-to-air television for viewers across the United Kingdom.
- Reasoning: Commercial factors and the evolving landscape of sports media rights played a significant role in the transition between the two networks. The BBC had been the long-standing home of the Boat Race, with its first broadcast coverage in 1924, and had remained so, apart from ITV holding TV rights from 2005-09 and LBC holding the radio rights from 2005-10.
- What Channel 4 said: Pete Andrews, head of sport at Channel 4, said the broadcaster was "thrilled to have secured the rights to one of the most iconic amateur sports events in the British calendar". He said: "The Boat Race is rich in tradition and history and British interest in the event has never been stronger," describing the event as the "crown jewel of the rowing calendar".
- Changes at the BBC: The BBC has faced increasing pressure to balance its sports budget as the costs for major live broadcasting rights continue to rise. Relinquishing the Boat Race allows the corporation to reallocate those funds toward other high-priority sporting and cultural commitments.
- What the BBC said: The BBC claimed it had been "proud to broadcast the Boat Race over many years". In a statement, the broadcaster 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."
- Following the action: Despite the move, the BBC will still provide comprehensive news coverage and radio updates of the results throughout the day. Their sports website will continue to host highlights and written reports for those who miss the live action.
- Going forward: The transition reflects a broader trend in British broadcasting where traditional "crown jewel" events are occasionally shuffled between major networks. Both Oxford and Cambridge athletes are prepared to compete under the new cameras as they battle for glory on the Tideway, with the race getting underway on April 4.
- Read more: BBC suffers another major event loss in brutal hit to sporting coverage.
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