The Boat Race Company is delighted to announce that the crews for the highly anticipated CHANEL J12 Boat Race will be unveiled during a public event at Battersea Power Station on Wednesday 26th March at 5.45pm.

More than 150 rowers from 18 countries – including Nigeria, Mexico, and China – entered selection at the start of term. Now, Oxford University Boat Club and Cambridge University Boat Club will unveil the nine person crews which will compete in the legendary race. The announcement comes as the two universities approach the final stages of their preparations for one of the world’s most famous annual sporting events.

The CHANEL J12 Boat Race 2025 returns to the Championship Course – a 4.25 mile stretch of the tidal Thames between Putney and Mortlake known as the Tideway – on Sunday 13th April. The Women’s Race takes place at 13:21 followed by the Men’s Race at 14:21.

The crew announcement will be a public event, with guests including Boat Race alumni, Olympians and VIPs. Members of the public are encouraged to join the spirit of The Boat Race by supporting either the Light Blue of Cambridge or the Dark Blue of Oxford.

The main event, in Turbine Hall B inside the iconic Battersea Power Station, will be introduced by Andrew Cotter (BBC Sport commentator) and Siobhan Cassidy (Chair of The Boat Race Company) and the selected Men’s and Women’s crews will be announced on stage. Andrew Cotter will interview head coaches from each university, providing first-hand insight into their preparations and hopes for Race Day.

2024 saw Cambridge University win both the Men’s and Women’s Races, leaving the overall records as 87-81 in the favour of Cambridge Men’s and 48-30 in the favour of Cambridge Women’s.

First raced by crews from Oxford and Cambridge University in 1829, The Boat Race is one of the world’s oldest and most famous amateur sporting events, offering an unrivalled educational experience to the student athletes who take part.

Access to the Boat Race is free and each year c.250,000 spectators line the banks of the River Thames to watch the races unfold. The historic event is viewed by millions worldwide via BBC Sport’s live broadcast.

The Men’s Trophy – The Aberdeen ‘Quaich’ – is presented to the winning crew and features a map of the course on the interior of the Quaich, as well as a changeable finial on the top of the lid. This is either an Ox or a Lion depending on who the holders of the trophy are at any given point in time. Meanwhile, the Women’s Trophy – The Newton Trophy – features lion and crown symbols to represent the clubs involved.

CHANEL agreed a long-term partnership with The Boat Race in 2024 to become the Title Sponsor and official Timekeeping Partner, representing the brand’s first ever sport sponsorship.

Siobhan Cassidy, Chair of The Boat Race Company, said: “Battersea Power Station is such a fitting building to unveil the crew line-ups for The Boat Race. The different floors overlooking the stage in the historic Turbine Hall B help to create an amphitheatre like atmosphere! The annual crew announcement is always an exciting moment in The Boat Race season, and it was fantastic to see so many members of the public getting behind the crews at last year’s event.”

Sam Cotton, Head of Asset Management at Battersea Power Station Development Company, added: “Following a successful inaugural event last year, we’re delighted to be working with The Boat Race Company again to host The CHANEL J12 Boat Race 2025 crew announcement. It’s a fantastic opportunity for visitors to the Power Station to learn more about the sport of rowing and a brilliant addition to our new fitness and wellness event series, Good Fit, which is running until 6th April.”

What: The Boat Race 2025 crew announcement
When: Wednesday 26th March, 5.45pm-8.30pm GMT
Where: Ground Floor, Turbine Hall B, Battersea Power Station, London, SW11 8BU