There’s something about the annual Oxford-Cambridge showdown that pulls in even casual sports fans, and the 2025 edition delivered drama on the water. Whether you caught the live BBC broadcast or are trying to piece together the timings, knowing exactly when each race started and finished makes all the difference. Here’s everything you need — from the full schedule and winner times to why next year’s coverage will look completely different.

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Date: 13 April 2025 ·
BBC coverage begins: 12:20 BST ·
Women’s race start: 1:21 PM BST ·
Men’s race start: 2:21 PM BST ·
Men’s winner: Cambridge ·
Winning time (Men’s): 16 minutes 56 seconds

Quick snapshot

1Race Schedule
2How to Watch
  • BBC One from 12:20 BST (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport app (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • International broadcasters may vary (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)
3Results
4Future Changes
  • BBC not covering 2026 (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)
  • New broadcaster being negotiated (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)
  • Official announcement pending (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)

Six key facts, one pattern: the 2025 Boat Race delivered the expected Cambridge double but not without drama — a near collision in the women’s race and a debris‑induced delay in the men’s.

A quick-reference table confirms all key details at a glance.

Item Value
Date 13 April 2025
BBC coverage start 12:20 BST
Women’s race start 1:21 PM BST
Men’s race start 2:21 PM BST
Men’s winner Cambridge
Winning time 16 min 56 s

What time does The Boat Race 2025 start?

BBC One’s live coverage kicked off at 12:20 BST, building up to the first race of the afternoon. The women’s race was scheduled for 1:21 PM BST, but a collision with Oxford’s boat saw the race halted and restarted — Cambridge eventually won in 19:24.80, according to encyclopedic source Wikipedia. The men’s race started at 2:21 PM BST after a 10‑minute delay caused by debris in the river, as reported by encyclopedic source Wikipedia.

Women’s race start time

  • Scheduled start: 1:21 PM BST (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • Restarted after collision; Cambridge took the win in 19:24.80 (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)

Men’s race start time

  • Scheduled start: 2:21 PM BST (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • Delayed about 10 minutes due to debris (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)

Reserve races schedule

  • Women’s Reserve: 1:36 PM BST (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • Men’s Reserve: 1:51 PM BST (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
Bottom line: Race day started with BBC coverage at 12:20 BST, but actual race times were pushed out by interruptions — the men’s race took to the water ten minutes late, while the women’s race was restarted after a collision. If you tuned in exactly at the published times, you’d have seen the build‑up but missed some of the action.

Which TV channel is showing The Boat Race?

For 2025, the broadcast rights belonged to the BBC. Coverage was available through multiple platforms, making it easy for viewers in the UK and beyond to follow the racing.

BBC One

  • Main television channel: BBC One (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • Coverage began at 12:20 BST and included both women’s and men’s races

BBC iPlayer

BBC Sport app and website

The upshot

BBC’s multi‑platform coverage gave viewers no excuse to miss a stroke — but only for this year. The convenience of iPlayer and the BBC Sport app will be gone for the 2026 edition.

Who won the Mens Boat Race 2025 today?

Cambridge won the men’s race, finishing the 4.2‑mile Championship Course in 16 minutes 56 seconds — 16.22 seconds ahead of Oxford, according to encyclopedic source Wikipedia. The win extended Cambridge’s overall lead to 88–81 in the men’s series.

Result summary

  • Winner: Cambridge (Light Blues) (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)
  • Loser: Oxford (Dark Blues)
  • Margin: 16.22 seconds

Winning time

  • 16 minutes 56.72 seconds (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)
  • This was the 170th men’s Boat Race (TV guide specialist Radio Times)

Series score

  • Cambridge leads 88–81 (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • Cambridge men won 5 of the last 6 races before 2025 (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
The pattern

Cambridge dominance is now a trend rather than an exception. With five of the last six men’s races in the Light Blue column, Oxford’s next win will need a significant change in performance trajectory.

Why is the BBC not covering the Boat Race?

2025 was the final year of BBC coverage. Starting in 2026, the broadcast rights move to Channel 4, according to encyclopedic source Wikipedia. The exact reasons for the switch have not been fully disclosed, but it marks a major change for the event’s television presence.

2026 broadcast rights change

  • Channel 4 takes over from 2026 (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)
  • BBC’s 40+ year history covering the race will end after 2025

Alternative broadcasters

  • Channel 4 will be the new home of The Boat Race (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)
  • Details of the exact channel and schedule are not yet finalised
What’s at stake

Viewers who relied on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app will need to switch to Channel 4’s platforms in 2026. For international fans, the change could mean different availability depending on local broadcast deals.

How soon after the programme aired on BBC iPlayer?

BBC iPlayer made the full broadcast available almost immediately after the live program ended. The catch‑up window is standard across BBC content — available for 30 days post‑broadcast, as noted by official broadcaster BBC Sport.

Immediate iPlayer availability

  • Programme available on iPlayer shortly after broadcast (official broadcaster BBC Sport)
  • Simulcast via BBC Sport website is live only

Catch-up period

  • 30 days from the airing date (official broadcaster BBC Sport)
  • No longer available after that period
Bottom line: If you missed the live broadcast, BBC iPlayer had you covered for a month. But for 2026, you’ll need to check Channel 4’s catch‑up service — which may work differently.

How to Watch the Boat Race 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Check the date: 13 April 2025 — mark it in your calendar.
  2. Tune in to BBC One at 12:20 BST for pre‑race coverage. Alternatively, open BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport app.
  3. Know the race order: Women’s Reserve at 1:36 PM, Men’s Reserve at 1:51 PM, Women’s race at 1:21 PM (but watch for possible delays), Men’s race at 2:21 PM.
  4. Set a reminder for the women’s race restart — the actual race may start a few minutes later than scheduled due to interruptions.
  5. After the broadcast, use BBC iPlayer within 30 days to rewatch or catch any missed action.

Timeline: Key Moments of The Boat Race 2025

Race day unfolded with a series of key moments worth tracking.

Time/Date Event
13 April 2025 Race day
12:20 BST BBC One coverage begins
1:21 PM BST Women’s Boat Race start (interrupted and restarted)
2:21 PM BST Men’s Boat Race start (delayed by 10 minutes)
After 2025 event BBC announces it will not cover the 2026 Boat Race
Timeline signal

The biggest pattern from 2025: two separate disruptions — a collision and debris — meant actual race timings deviated from the programme. Fans relying solely on the published schedule risked missing the start.

Confirmed facts

  • Race date: 13 April 2025 (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • BBC coverage start time: 12:20 BST (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • Women’s race start: 1:21 PM (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • Men’s race start: 2:21 PM (TV guide specialist Radio Times)
  • Cambridge won Men’s race in 16:56 (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for BBC dropping 2026 coverage is not fully disclosed (encyclopedic source Wikipedia)
  • Which channel will air the 2026 Boat Race is not yet confirmed

Expert Perspectives on the 2025 Race

“Watch live coverage of the Boat Race on Sunday, 13 April from 12:20 BST on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website.”

BBC Sport (official broadcaster)

“Cambridge won the men’s race in 16 minutes 56 seconds, taking the overall record to 88–81.”

Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)

“Women’s Boat Race: 1:21pm; Women’s Reserve: 1:36pm; Men’s Reserve: 1:51pm; Men’s Boat Race: 2:21pm.”

RadioTimes (TV guide specialist)

The Bigger Picture: What the 2025 Results Mean

Cambridge’s double victory cements a period of Light Blue supremacy that has lasted more than half a decade. For Oxford, the gaps in both races — 7.72 seconds in the women’s and 16.22 seconds in the men’s — suggest that simply closing the technique gap won’t be enough. The shift to Channel 4 from 2026 also forces the organisers to rebuild audience habits built over decades of BBC coverage. The implication: for the average UK viewer, the choice in 2027 will be clear — switch to Channel 4 on race day, or miss the spectacle.

Additional sources

theboatrace.org, youtube.com

For a detailed breakdown of the day’s events, see the full results and times from the race.

Mis deze niet

Frequently asked questions

How can I catch up on a programme I missed?

BBC iPlayer made the broadcast available for 30 days after the live airing. From 2026 onwards, Channel 4 will offer its own catch‑up service.

When is the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race 2025?

The race took place on Sunday, 13 April 2025.

When is the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race 2026?

The exact date for 2026 has not been announced, but it is traditionally held in late March or early April.

What were the results of the Boat Race 2025?

Cambridge won both the women’s race (19:24.80) and the men’s race (16:56.72), extending their overall series lead to 88–81.

Who were the crews in the Boat Race 2025?

The crews were announced on 26 March 2025 at Battersea Power Station. Full line‑ups are available on the official Boat Race website.

Where does the Boat Race take place?

On the River Thames Championship Course between Putney and Mortlake, a 4.2‑mile (6.8 km) stretch.

What are the top tips for attending the Boat Race?

Arrive early, check tide times, bring layers, and watch from the Putney or Mortlake bridges for a good view. Public transport is recommended.

Is the Boat Race 2026 on BBC?

No. The BBC will not cover the 2026 edition; Channel 4 has acquired the broadcast rights.

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