Tuesday, June 30
Henley-on-Thames, U.K.
ALL DAY
University of Washington
vs
Henley Royal Regatta
On To Henley: UW Men To Send Two Crews To Henley Royal Regatta
June 16, 2026 | Men's Rowing
The Washington men's rowing team will return to the Henley Royal Regatta this summer, as the Huskies will enter crews in both the Ladies' Plate Challenge Cup and the Temple Challenge Cup.
This year's regatta, held in Henley-on-Thames, U.K., will run from Tuesday, June 30, through Sunday, July 5. Washington's two eights will be comprised of a mix of the first and second varsity eights from last spring in the Ladies' Plate, and a mix of the second and third eights in the Temple.
Washington last competed at Henley in 2024, when the Huskies reached the final of the Grand Challenge Cup, the oldest and most prestigious men's event at Henley. The Huskies also had a pair entered in the Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup that year.
The Huskies have twice won the Ladies' Plate, which was first held in 1845. Washington won the event in 1981 and again in 2003, while also finishing as runner-up in 1997 and 2015.
The Temple Challenge Cup, for student eights, is a much more recent addition to the Henley schedule, first held in 1990. Washington is a three-time winner, having earned the Temple Challenge Cup in 2010, 2012 and 2018. UW was runner-up in 2022.
Washington's first-ever trip to the Henley Royal Regatta came in 1958, where coach Al Ulbrickson's crew lost to Leningrad Trud Club (the Soviet National Team) in a quarterfinal race. The Soviets went on to win the Grand Challenge, but a rematch with the Huskies had been arranged for a bit later that summer, in the USSR. In that race, the Huskies scored one of the legendary victories in UW athletics history, beating that same crew, along with five other Soviet shells, on the Khimki Reservoir in Moscow.
In 1973, scheduling conflicts meant that the Huskies would discontinue racing at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championship regatta for the next 21 seasons. Instead, coach Dick Erickson, who rowed in that '58 crew, made the Huskies a relatively regular visitor to Henley, starting in '73.
After an history win in the Grand Challenge Cup in 1977, the Huskies raced in the Grand in '78, '81, and '84. Washington has also sent men's and women's crews to compete in other Henley races numerous additional years since 1958.
The Henley Royal Regatta, first held in 1839, features head-to-head racing in a knockout format in 27 race categories for men, women and youth. Crews race the 2,112-meter course in and progress, tournament-style, from as many as 32 entries, through a round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals (depending on the number of entrants in a given category, and in many case, byes; many events do not include 32 entries.). The draw will be held on June 27, laying out the brackets for all of the various events.
Henley Royal Regatta provides an excellent live video stream, at no cost. Use the link at the top of this page to watch. Once the draw takes place on June 27, and schedules are announced, this page will be updated.
Huskies at Henley History
Here is a list of UW victories at the Henley Royal Regatta:
1977 – Grand Challenge Cup (men's eight)
1977 – Visitors' Challenge Cup (men's coxless four)
1981 – Ladies Challenge Plate (men's eight)
2000 – Henley Prize (women's eight)
2003 – Ladies Challenge Plate (men's eight)
2010 – Temple Challenge Cup (men's eight)
2012 – Temple Challenge Cup (men's eight)
2015 – Prince Albert Challenge Cup (men's coxed four)
2018 – Temple Challenge Cup (men's eight)
2022 – Visitors' Challenge Cup (men's coxless four)
Other appearances: 1958, 1973, 1984, 1995, 1997, 2013, 2023
Note: UW alumni have competed and won at Henley on numerous occasions, rowing for clubs other than UW. The above list includes only those crews who won their trophy under the University of Washington name.
This year's regatta, held in Henley-on-Thames, U.K., will run from Tuesday, June 30, through Sunday, July 5. Washington's two eights will be comprised of a mix of the first and second varsity eights from last spring in the Ladies' Plate, and a mix of the second and third eights in the Temple.
Washington last competed at Henley in 2024, when the Huskies reached the final of the Grand Challenge Cup, the oldest and most prestigious men's event at Henley. The Huskies also had a pair entered in the Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup that year.
The Huskies have twice won the Ladies' Plate, which was first held in 1845. Washington won the event in 1981 and again in 2003, while also finishing as runner-up in 1997 and 2015.
The Temple Challenge Cup, for student eights, is a much more recent addition to the Henley schedule, first held in 1990. Washington is a three-time winner, having earned the Temple Challenge Cup in 2010, 2012 and 2018. UW was runner-up in 2022.
Washington's first-ever trip to the Henley Royal Regatta came in 1958, where coach Al Ulbrickson's crew lost to Leningrad Trud Club (the Soviet National Team) in a quarterfinal race. The Soviets went on to win the Grand Challenge, but a rematch with the Huskies had been arranged for a bit later that summer, in the USSR. In that race, the Huskies scored one of the legendary victories in UW athletics history, beating that same crew, along with five other Soviet shells, on the Khimki Reservoir in Moscow.
In 1973, scheduling conflicts meant that the Huskies would discontinue racing at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championship regatta for the next 21 seasons. Instead, coach Dick Erickson, who rowed in that '58 crew, made the Huskies a relatively regular visitor to Henley, starting in '73.
After an history win in the Grand Challenge Cup in 1977, the Huskies raced in the Grand in '78, '81, and '84. Washington has also sent men's and women's crews to compete in other Henley races numerous additional years since 1958.
The Henley Royal Regatta, first held in 1839, features head-to-head racing in a knockout format in 27 race categories for men, women and youth. Crews race the 2,112-meter course in and progress, tournament-style, from as many as 32 entries, through a round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals (depending on the number of entrants in a given category, and in many case, byes; many events do not include 32 entries.). The draw will be held on June 27, laying out the brackets for all of the various events.
Henley Royal Regatta provides an excellent live video stream, at no cost. Use the link at the top of this page to watch. Once the draw takes place on June 27, and schedules are announced, this page will be updated.
Huskies at Henley History
Here is a list of UW victories at the Henley Royal Regatta:
1977 – Grand Challenge Cup (men's eight)
1977 – Visitors' Challenge Cup (men's coxless four)
1981 – Ladies Challenge Plate (men's eight)
2000 – Henley Prize (women's eight)
2003 – Ladies Challenge Plate (men's eight)
2010 – Temple Challenge Cup (men's eight)
2012 – Temple Challenge Cup (men's eight)
2015 – Prince Albert Challenge Cup (men's coxed four)
2018 – Temple Challenge Cup (men's eight)
2022 – Visitors' Challenge Cup (men's coxless four)
Other appearances: 1958, 1973, 1984, 1995, 1997, 2013, 2023
Note: UW alumni have competed and won at Henley on numerous occasions, rowing for clubs other than UW. The above list includes only those crews who won their trophy under the University of Washington name.
Monday, June 15
Wednesday, June 03
Wednesday, June 03
Wednesday, June 03
