The Qualification Rules for Club and Student events and The Fawley and Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cups are to be amended with effect from the 2028 Regatta, to restrict clubs to TWO entries (‘A’ and ‘B’) only. Clubs entering The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup and The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy will continue to be restricted to a single entry in each; there will be no restriction on the number of entries per club in Premier and Intermediate events.
This Rule change was approved at the Stewards’ Meeting in June 2026, and has been announced now to give clubs and athletes time to adapt their plans accordingly: it will not apply at the 2027 Regatta.
Richard Phelps, Chair of Henley Royal Regatta said: “This change reflects feedback received during our club consultations in 2025. As the demand to race at the Regatta grows, and as we add new events to complete our journey to gender parity, we still want a range of clubs to have a meaningful opportunity to compete and win. Limiting any club to just two entries in these events will ensure that diversity continues.”
This change will be reflected in the Qualification Rules published in February 2028, along with clarifying guidance. The Stewards’ intention is that the two-entry limit will be applied so as to include any so-called ‘flag of convenience’ club with its primary host club.
The following events will be subject to the new two-entry limit with effect from 2028:
- Club events: The Thames, Wargrave, Wyfold, and Danesfield Challenge Cups
- Student events: The Temple, Island, Queen Victoria, and Prince Albert Challenge Cups
- Junior events: The Fawley and Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cups.
