Boat Race 2016: Oxford vs. Cambridge Start Time, Route, TV and Live Stream Info

Oxford will be confident of continuing their recent dominance in the iconic Boat Race as they get set for a yet another battle with longstanding rivals Cambridge on the River Thames on Sunday.

The Dark Blues of Oxford were comprehensive winners last year when the two crews went head-to-head, putting together a whopping 19-second advantage by the time they crossed the finishing line. It was their sixth win in the last eight runnings of this traditional sporting event.

Ahead of the men’s race, the women’s teams are also set for a battle, with Cambridge again looking to avenge an emphatic defeat from 2015.

Here are the key details for this one, including where to catch the action and a look at how the event is likely to pan out.

Date: Sunday, March 27

Time (GMT): 3:10 p.m. (Women’s), 4:10 p.m. (Men’s)

TV Info: BBC Two (U.K.)

Live Stream: BBC iPlayer (U.K.)

Details of the full route are available on the event's official website. 

Oxford Looking to Close Gaps on Easter Sunday

Miles Willis/Getty Images

Although this spectacle may not be the most glamorous, it’s an occasion many still look out for on the sporting calendar, and one that will draw swathes of spectators down to the banks of the Thames.

The race is staged between Putney and Mortlake over a 6.8-kilometre section of the London river, and despite a pretty substantial distance, there have been some tight finishes down the years. Three times since 2007 the winning margin has been less than one-and-a-third lengths, whereas in 2003, it was just a solitary foot.

As we can see courtesy of Culturaltales, a lot has changed when it comes to race day despite the longstanding traditions that have been preserved:

Cambridge have long held the bragging rights when it comes to the overall totals in this timeless head-to-head, but those backing the Light Blues will be feeling a little edgy ahead of this weekend’s showdown.

That’s because the Oxford men’s crew are closing the gap quickly, with three wins in the last three years putting the score at 81-79. They will be without a critical influence in their recent triumphs, though, with Constantine Louloudis no longer in the crew. The former team president had led the Dark Blues to wins in four of the last five years.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

“As president, I feel personally responsible for making sure we never lose sight of beating whatever crew Cambridge put out,” said the man filling his shoes in the buildup to this one, American Morgan Gerlak, per Richard Amofa of the Daily Telegraph. “That’s the pressure that I feel.”

In the women’s event, Cambridge’s advantage is a little more substantial, with 41 wins secured compared to Oxford’s 29. But, like the men’s race, the Dark Blues seem to be on the charge, with a comfortable win last season making it three in succession.

Miles Willis/Getty Images

Cambridge’s president, Hannah Roberts, has offered insight into the team’s preparations this year on social media, with the entire crew in close quarters in the buildup to the big day:

This clip from the London Port Authority shows the kind of preparations that go into the event's setup:

In the men’s race, the loss of a figure such as Louloudis will be tough to compensate for Oxford, who have relied on him for guidance and inspiration during their dominant patch.

Cambridge have a lot of class within their ranks too, including former Great Britain oarsman Lance Tredell, and a coach in Steve Trapmore who is a former Olympic gold medalist.

So while there’s little inclination that anything will alter drastically in the women’s race compared to last year, the men’s event will be a lot more competitive. And after three lean years, the Light Blues seem well-placed to stop the rot.