- What: A 168-year-old rowing event pitting the top international rowers and rowing crews in head-to-head knockout races over five days.
- When: Wednesday to Sunday, to include the first weekend in July.
- Where: On the reach of the Thames between Temple Island and the Oxfordshire market town of Henley-on-Thames, about a mile and a half upstream.
- Admission: Tickets for the Regatta Enclosure range from £11 to £17 depending upon the day. They can be purchased in advance until late June and, afterwards, at the gate. Parking costs between £21 and £25 depending upon the day. Tickets and parking for the Stewards Enclosure are by invitation only but are sometimes available through corporate hospitality or charity sales.
- Telephone: +44 (0)1491 572153
- Website
A Historic Event for Rowers and Rowing Crews
In 1839, the mayor and people of Henley-on-Thames introduced a July rowing race as part of a fair to attract fun seekers to the town. You've got to hand it to those local boosters. They started one of the world's great rowing events for rowing crews and individual, club, school and university rowers.With the exception of the years of the two World Wars, the Henley Regatta has taken place ever since, growing from a one day, local event to a five day rowing meet attracting top international rowing crews and champion rowers as well as thousands of spectators.
In 1851, Prince Albert became the first Royal patron. Since then, every reigning monarch has been a patron of the event - thus changing the name to the Henley Royal Regatta.
Rowing at the Henley Royal Regatta
Henley is unique in crew rowing events. It predates national and international rowing federations and has its own set of rules. Although it isn't subject to the jurisdiction of the Amateur Rowing Association in England or the International Rowing Federation (FISA) it is officially recognized by them both.Rowing at Henley is head-to-head. The races are organized in knock-out draws with only two boats racing the 1 mile and 550 yard course in each heat. That makes for a lot of racing, with as many as 100 races per day. Each race takes about seven minutes.
Which rowing crews or individual rowers race against each other in the heats is determined in a public draw at the Henley-on-Thames town hall, about a week before the regatta.
Henley Royal Regatta Events
There are a total of 19 events. These include:- six classes for 8-man rowing crews
- five classes for 4-man rowing crews (two coxed and three coxless)
- four for quadruple sculls
- a coxless pairs race
- a double scull race.
