The Boat Race 2027 — Odds, Facts & Betting Guide
Expected April 2027 · River Thames, Putney to Mortlake, London, United Kingdom
Exact dates have not yet been confirmed by the organisers. This page will be updated as soon as they are.
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The Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge is one of the oldest sporting contests in the world, first rowed in 1829 and held annually since 1856. The crews race 4.2 miles of the tidal Thames from Putney to Mortlake, watched by around 200,000 people on the banks and millions on television. The next edition is expected in spring 2027.
The 2026 races split the spoils: Cambridge's men won a fourth consecutive race to lead the all-time series 89-81, while Oxford's women — stroked by Olympic medallist Heidi Long — won for the first time since 2016, ending Cambridge's long streak.
Where to find the latest odds
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The Boat Race: fast facts
- The first Boat Race was rowed in 1829; it has been an annual event since 1856.
- The Championship Course runs 4.2 miles (6.8km) along the tidal Thames from Putney to Mortlake.
- Cambridge lead the men's series 89-81 after their fourth straight win in 2026; the 1877 race was famously declared a dead heat.
- Oxford's women won the 2026 race by three lengths — their first victory since 2016 — with Cambridge still leading the women's series 49-31.
- The Women's Boat Race was first held in 1927 and has been rowed annually since 1964.
- Around 200,000 spectators line the Thames each year, making it one of Britain's biggest free sporting occasions.
- Cambridge men's president Noam Mouelle became the first Cambridge oarsman since 1973 to win four consecutive Boat Races in 2026.
Past winners
| Year | Winner | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Cambridge | Won by 3½ lengths; Oxford won the women's race |
| 2025 | Cambridge | Third consecutive victory |
| 2024 | Cambridge | Won amid the Thames E. coli controversy |
| 2023 | Cambridge | Completed the double with the women's crew |
| 2022 | Oxford | First Oxford win since 2017, on the race's return to the Thames |
| 2021 | Cambridge | Raced on the Great Ouse at Ely due to Covid restrictions |
| 2020 | Not held | Cancelled due to the pandemic |
| 2019 | Cambridge | Completed the double over Oxford |
| 2018 | Cambridge | Comfortable win on the Tideway |
| 2017 | Oxford | Oxford's last win before 2022 |
How to bet on The Boat Race
Boat Race betting is a simple market at heart — pick Oxford or Cambridge — but it's rarely an even-money contest in reality. Crew weights, returning Blues, trial results and the season's fixtures against club and international crews are all public in the build-up, and the betting usually settles on a clear favourite by race day.
Beyond the outright, winning-margin and winning-distance markets add interest, and the coin toss matters more than casual viewers realise: the choice of Surrey or Middlesex station interacts with the weather, and a strong crosswind can make one side of the river decisively faster.
One race, two crews, no second chances — it's a low-stakes fun bet for most people, and that's the right way to treat it. If conditions are rough, remember races have been disrupted before; check your bookmaker's rules on restarts and postponements.
Popular markets
- Outright winner (men's and women's races)
- Winning margin / distance
- Double result (both races)
- Winning time over/under
- Toss-related specials
The Boat Race 2027: your questions answered
When is the Boat Race 2027?
The 2027 Boat Race is expected in late March or early April 2027 on the Thames. The exact date will be confirmed by the organisers and this page will be updated when it is.
Who won the Boat Race in 2026?
Cambridge won the men's race by three and a half lengths — their fourth straight win — while Oxford won the women's race for the first time since 2016.
Who has won the most Boat Races?
Cambridge lead the men's series 89-81 (with one dead heat, in 1877) and the women's series 49-31.
How long is the Boat Race?
The Championship Course is 4.2 miles (6.8km) from Putney to Mortlake on the tidal Thames, typically taking around 17-19 minutes depending on conditions.
Is the Boat Race free to watch?
Yes — around 200,000 people watch free from the riverbanks, bridges and pubs along the course, and the race is broadcast live on free-to-air television.