Henley Royal Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta takes place Jun 29 - Jul 4, 2027 in Henley-on-Thames, England. The dress code is Stewards' Enclosure enforces lounge suit or blazer and flannels with a tie for men and dresses with hemlines below the knee for women, no trousers; Regatta Enclosure is smart but relaxed. Typical cost ranges from 800 to 2500 EUR per person.

Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, England
Photograph by Photoglob Zürich, reprinted by Detroit Publishing Co., Public domain, via Wikimedia.

Six days of side-by-side rowing over a mile and 550 yards of the Thames at Henley, run since 1839 and still governed by its own Stewards rather than any federation. Crews range from school eights to Olympic champions, racing two boats at a time in straight knockout. Pimm's, striped blazers and a dress code that has barely moved in a century.

When
Jun 29 - Jul 4, 2027
Where
Henley-on-Thames, England
Dress code
Stewards' Enclosure enforces lounge suit or blazer and flannels with a tie for men and dresses with hemlines below the knee for women, no trousers; Regatta Enclosure is smart but relaxed
Cost
Typical cost ranges from 800 to 2500 EUR per person.
Weather
18 - 26C, warm English summer with shower risk
When to book
Public Regatta Enclosure badges go on sale in spring 2027 through the official site and can be bought day by day. Stewards' Enclosure cannot be bought - you need an invitation from a Steward, and members receive a fixed guest allocation, so ask months ahead. Book Henley or Marlow accommodation by January.
Getting there
LHR (London Heathrow), around 45 min to Henley-on-Thames by road
Where to stay
Phyllis Court Club, Hotel du Vin Henley-on-Thames, The Relais Henley
Official site
https://www.hrr.co.uk

How to attend

Regatta Enclosure badges are sold to the general public online, released in the spring, at roughly 30 to 40 euros a day and rising toward the finals weekend; they include a riverside lawn, bars and a grandstand at the finish. The Stewards' Enclosure cannot be bought at any price - entry is by member invitation only, with each member given a limited guest allocation, so a request has to go in months in advance. The towpath and Lion Meadow are free public viewing and give a genuinely good view of the racing.

Book tickets

Insider tip

The towpath on the Berkshire bank is free, runs the full length of the course and gives the closest view of the finish - bring a picnic and you have done Henley properly for the cost of the train fare.

Get inside Henley Royal Regatta

Booking matters here: public Regatta Enclosure badges go on sale in spring 2027 through the official site and can be bought day by day. Stewards' Enclosure cannot be bought - you need an invitation from a Steward, and members receive a fixed guest allocation, so ask months ahead. Book Henley or Marlow accommodation by January. Members track that window, what it really costs, and 573 more events across the season.

Free while in beta. One email when your invitation is ready, nothing else.