Boat Race Day: Your Guide to the Best of Putney on Saturday

A host of activities before, during and after the event

The Boat Race begins at Putney. Picture: Wandsworth Council

April 3, 2026

Putney is bracing itself for one of the biggest days in its sporting calendar this Easter Saturday (4 Arpolu), as the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge send their crews down the Thames in the 171st Men's Boat Race and the 80th Women's Boat Race.

More than 200,000 spectators are expected to watch along the riverbanks for the free-to-attend event, and with an Easter Bonnet Parade, a fan zone, a barbecue and an afterparty all on offer, there is plenty to enjoy beyond the racing itself in the Putney area.

The Women's Race starts at 2.21pm and the Men's Race at 3.21pm, with reserve boat races — Osiris v Blondie for the women and Isis v Goldie for the men — in between.

Full Event Schedule

Road closure – Putney Embankment will close to vehicles from 9:00 until 18:00.

Cambridge arrive with the stronger recent record. The Light Blues are chasing a ninth consecutive win in the women's race, while the men are bidding for a fourth straight victory having won in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Oxford are the underdogs in both races, though their women's crew can point to a confidence-boosting bronze medal at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston last autumn, where they beat Cambridge by over 22 seconds.

Oxford Women are led by Olympic bronze medallist Heidi Long, who helped Great Britain's women's eight to bronze at the 2024 Paris Games, and can call on the experience of three-time Blue Boat crew members Annie Anezakis and Sarah Marshall. Cambridge Women's president Gemma King, whose sister Catherine represents Oxford, will be joined by fellow two-time winner and fifth-year medic Carys Earl — creating one of the more intriguing family storylines of the day, with the Freischem sisters also facing each other, Mia in Cambridge's boat and Lilli in Oxford's.

In the men's race, Cambridge have their eyes on a fourth successive victory and will be led by French national Noam Mouelle, marking the first time in Boat Race history that a pair of Frenchmen have captained the two crews— Oxford's cox Tobias Bernard also being French. One Oxford insider has described the men's match-up as "a mismatch of monstrous proportions", though the Boat Race has a long history of surprises.

The race will be broadcast live on Channel 4 for the first time in its history, presented by Clare Balding and Ade Adepitan, with coverage starting at 1.30pm.

Getting There

Visitors are strongly encouraged to come by public transport. Putney has two underground stations (Putney Bridge on the District line and East Putney on the District line), a mainline overground station and a Thames river boat service, as well as numerous bus routes. Putney Embankment will be closed to vehicles from 9am until 6pm, and parking will be suspended along the Embankment from Thai Square to Leader's Gardens. Parking bays alongside the Star and Garter pub on Lower Richmond Road will also be suspended. Residential roads linking the Embankment with Lower Richmond Road will be closed to all traffic except residents. Dockless Lime and Forest e-bikes will not be operational along the Embankment on the day.

Where to Watch

Putney Bridge itself is one of the best vantage points, offering a view of the crews at the start and as they pass under the bridge heading upstream. It fills quickly, so aim to arrive by noon at the latest if you want a good spot on the parapet.

Putney Bridge offers a prime view of the race start

The Embankment, which becomes a pedestrian riverside promenade for the day, is another obvious option. Arrive early — the boathouses are active from the morning and there are few better opportunities to see elite athletes preparing for a major race at close quarters.

The Fan Zone and Community Events

The St Mary's Church Square fan zone, organised by Positively Putney, opens at 11am and runs until 5pm. There will be live music and a radio broadcast with Riverside Radio, five alcohol stalls run by local pubs and bars, and street food. At 11am there is an Easter Bonnet Parade with prizes — families are encouraged to bring homemade creations and get involved. The fan zone will also be broadcasting the Channel 4 coverage live throughout the afternoon.

The 5th Putney Sea Scouts are throwing open their hut by the river from 12pm to 5pm, offering a barbecue with burgers, hot dogs and vegetarian options, a fully stocked bar, hot drinks and home-made cakes. There will be live performances from young musicians of SW15 Music and a raffle with prizes from local businesses. Last year the event raised more than £3,000 for Scout Hut improvements; this year's fundraising is aimed at refurbishing kit rooms and creating overnight camp facilities for children. The hut has a big screen showing the racing, so you can watch from inside after the boats have passed.

A previous boat race BBQ hosted by the Putney Sea Scouts

The Afterparty

The recently refurbished Half Moon on Lower Richmond Road is planning a full afterparty following the races, with live music from resident favourites and a DJ running into the late evening. No booking is required.

Easter Boat Trail

Running until 14 April, an Easter Boat Trail has placed creatively decorated model boats — painted by twelve local primary and secondary schools — in businesses across Putney. It is a free, family-friendly activity for the Easter holidays. A map is available online through Positively Putney, and participants are encouraged to share photos using #BoatsBonnetsBands for the chance to win a £50 voucher for a Putney business.

Full Schedule for the Day

9.30am — River closes to traffic. 11am — Fan zone opens, Easter Bonnet Parade. 12pm — Sea Scouts event opens. 12.15pm — Women's coin toss on Putney Embankment. 12.50pm — Men's coin toss on Putney Embankment. 1.30pm — Channel 4 broadcast begins. 2.21pm — Women's Boat Race. 2.31pm — Osiris v Blondie (Women's Reserves). 2.51pm — Isis v Goldie (Men's Reserves). 3.21pm — Men's Boat Race. 4pm — Presentation to winning crews at Mortlake. 5pm — Fan zone closes.

The council will also be arranging a huge clear up operation after the race to remove any litter left behind – but appeals to all boat race fans to dispose of their waste properly, use the many street bins that are available and avoid dropping any litter.