Boat Race order reversed to mark centenary of women’s event

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 1, 2026

The 2027 Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge will reverse its traditional order, with the men’s race held first and the women’s race an hour later, to mark the 100th anniversary of the women’s competition. This change highlights the increasing prominence of the women’s race, celebrating its 81st running and emphasizing gender equality in the historic event.

The traditional order of the annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge will be reversed for the 2027 event to commemorate the centenary of the women’s competition. Scheduled for Sunday, April 11, the men’s race will take place first at 3:40 p.m., followed by the women’s race an hour later.

This change marks a significant departure from the usual sequence, highlighting the milestone of the women’s Boat Race, which will be held for the 81st time. Although the men’s race dates back much further, with the upcoming event marking its 172nd running, the women’s competition was first held in 1927 and did not become an annual fixture until 1964.

Cambridge entered the 2026 series holding the men’s title, having secured their fourth consecutive victory in the men’s race, while Oxford ended a decade-long streak of Cambridge wins in the women’s competition last year.

Ahead of the 2027 races, two new trophies were introduced during the traditional Presidents’ Challenge ceremony, a customary event in which the presidents of the previous year’s losing crews formally issue challenges to the current title holders.

The reversal of race order for the centenary year underscores the growing recognition of the women’s Boat Race and its increasing prominence alongside the men’s event on the Thames.

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