First held in 1865, Burton Regatta has survived enormous changes in both the town and the sport of rowing.
One of Burton’s oldest sporting traditions reached a remarkable milestone this summer as Burton Regatta celebrated its 160th event on the River Trent.
Held over the weekend of 11 and 12 July at Burton Washlands, the 2026 Burton Regatta brought rowing clubs from across the country to the town for two days of competitive racing, continuing a tradition that began more than 160 years ago.
First held in 1865, Burton Regatta has survived enormous changes in both the town and the sport of rowing to remain a firm fixture in the British rowing calendar.
Against the familiar backdrop of the River Trent, crews competed throughout the weekend in a packed programme of racing, with junior, senior and masters rowers taking to the water.
The event once again demonstrated the extraordinary range of people involved in the sport, with young competitors racing alongside events for experienced masters who have been rowing for decades.
But Burton Regatta is about much more than the racing.
Hundreds of spectators, families, coaches, officials and volunteers gathered on the Washlands during the weekend, creating the traditional atmosphere that has characterised the event for generations.
For the Burton Regatta Association, reaching the 160th Regatta was an opportunity not only to celebrate the event’s history but also to look towards its future.
The first Burton Regatta took place at a time when Burton was becoming internationally famous for its brewing industry. The town’s breweries and prominent local families played an important part in the development and support of the Regatta, helping establish an event that would become part of Burton’s sporting heritage.
That history remains visible today through the Regatta’s remarkable collection of trophies, many of which have been competed for over generations and together form one of the most distinctive trophy collections on the rowing circuit.
The modern event, however, requires a considerable operation behind the scenes.
Months of preparation go into organising two days of racing, from preparing the course and coordinating entries, to safety planning, marshalling, timing and providing facilities for competitors and spectators. Much of that work is undertaken by volunteers.
The 160th event therefore provided an opportunity to recognise not only generations of competitors but also the countless volunteers, officials, supporters and sponsors who have helped keep Burton Regatta running since the Victorian era.
Reaching our 160th Regatta is something everyone involved with the event can be extremely proud of. That connection between the Regatta, the river and the town is very special.
An event like this simply couldn’t happen without the huge amount of work put in by our volunteers, officials and supporters. Many people give up an enormous amount of their time to make sure the Regatta happens each year, and the 160th was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what they have helped preserve.
Recent years have seen Burton Regatta continue to grow. The 2026 event was the largest in its history, attracting 32 rowing clubs from across the Midlands and as far afield as Liverpool, Totnes, London and even Burton’s twin town, Lingen in Germany, attracting 519 entries and more than 1,000 competitors taking part over the weekend.
The success of the anniversary event underlined the continuing appeal of a competition which combines serious racing with the atmosphere of a traditional summer regatta.
For Burton, it is also a reminder of the importance of the River Trent to the town.
For generations, competitors have travelled to Burton to race on this stretch of water. Some have returned year after year; others first competed here as juniors before returning decades later as masters, coaches, officials or supporters.
That continuity is perhaps the most remarkable achievement of Burton Regatta.
More than 160 years after the first crews lined up on the Trent, boats are still racing, spectators are still gathering on the riverbank and another generation is becoming part of the event’s history.
With its landmark anniversary successfully celebrated, attention now turns to ensuring that one of Burton’s longest-running sporting traditions continues for many years to come.
James Hall is Chairman of the Burton Regatta Association.