The 2026 Oxford-Cambridge University Boat Race takes place on Saturday, April 4, with more dominance expected from Cambridge in the men's and Oxford in the women's events.
Cambridge are firm favourites to extend their recent men’s dominance with the Light Blues heavy odds-on at 1/8 for the men’s race.
That comes as little surprise given Cambridge have won six of the last seven men’s races, including a 5.5-length victory in 2025 which completed a hat-trick of successes.
Oxford are a huge 9/2 for victory in the 171st men's race on the River Thames.
In the winning margin market, it is 1/7 for the winning distance to be more than two lengths, 9/2 that the margin is between 1 and 2 lengths and 12/1 that there is less than a boat length between the crews.
In the betting for the women's race, Oxford are now into 3/10 favouritism to be crowned champions for the first time since 2016.
The Dark Blues have lost eight in row to Cambridge but have a much strengthened crew that has produced some strong trial performances.
The Oxford boat features Olympic bronze medallist Heidi Long at stroke along with experience from three-time Blue Annie Anezakis and two-time Blue Sarah Marshall.
If Cambridge are to make it nine wins in a row in the women's race, they will have to do so at odds of 7/4 in Saturday's race.
It is 1/4 for a margin of more than 2 lengths in the women's race, 7/2 for a distance of 1-2 lengths and 10/1 for less than a length between the boats.
Latest 2026 Boat Race Odds
Men’s Boat Race: 1/8 Cambridge, 9/2 Oxford, 100/1 Dead Heat
Winning Margin: 1/7 2+ lengths, 9/2 1-2 lengths, 12/1 Under 1 length
Women’s Boat Race: 3/10 Oxford, 7/4 Cambridge, 100/1 Dead Heat
Winning Margin: 1/4 2+ lengths, 7/2 1-2 lengths, 10/1 Under 1 length
Odds from bet365. Correct on 01/04/26