The 2026 edition of the The Boat Race took place on Saturday, 4 April, along the River Thames in London, marking the second year of Chanel as Official Timekeeping Partner and Title Sponsor.
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The event featured crews from University of Oxford and University of Cambridge competing over the historic 4.25-mile Championship Course between Putney and Mortlake. Recognised as one of the oldest and most prestigious amateur sporting events in the world, the race attracted thousands of spectators along the riverbanks and millions of viewers worldwide.
In this year’s competition, Oxford won the women’s race, while Cambridge secured victory in the men’s race. Both contests highlighted remarkable athletic performance, teamwork, and tradition, reaffirming the event’s importance in the British sporting calendar.
Chanel’s partnership with the race, centred around its J12 watch, reflected a shared commitment to precision, performance, and collective effort—values linking fine watchmaking with the discipline and rhythm of rowing. As the event approached its 200th anniversary in 2029, it also marked a milestone moment ahead of the centenary of the women’s race, set to be celebrated in 2027.
