Photo by AJ Canaria
About the Regatta
The University of Washington and Windermere Real Estate are proud to present the 40th annual Windermere Cup on Saturday, May 2, 2025, on Seattle’s iconic Montlake Cut. With nearly 750 athletes from local, national, and international crews competing and thousands of fans lining the North and South shores or cheering from boats along the legendary log boom—this year’s regatta promises a spectacular celebration of speed, tradition, community, and world‑class competition.
Windermere Cup Competitors
Each year, the regatta welcomes a mix of elite national and international teams, creating thrilling matchups and unforgettable races.
The 2026 Windermere Cup races will feature an exciting international lineup, with University of Washington Rowing welcoming elite crews from Great Britain (men & women), Canada (women), and Northeastern University (men).
Race Schedule
Following the regatta, a cannon will sound and the Montlake Bridge will rise, signaling the start of the Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day Boat Parade. For 2026, Seattle Yacht Club and Trio invite you to “Welcome the World” with this year’s theme: World Regatta. Expect a vibrant procession of decorated vessels celebrating global rowing and yachting culture as they make their way through the Montlake Cut—an unforgettable finale to Opening Day.
All Time Results
Windermere Cup Merchandise
Limited Edition Apparel & More: We have posters, tumblers, hats, clothing, backpacks and more you can purchase directly from Windermere.
Check back throughout the year for new items. Merchandise will also be available to purchase on the shores during Windermere Cup.
FAQ
The viewing areas along the north and south shores of the Montlake Cut on race day are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You may also watch from the Montlake Bridge. The bridge closes to car traffic from 9:40 AM - 3:00 PM and you can watch the races from the bridge from 9:40 AM -11:45 AM, but you need to be off the bridge by noon when the cannon blast signals the beginning of the Boat Parade. That is when the bridge goes up to let the boats through.
Yes, there are a select group of food and beverage vendors on the north side of the Cut west of the Montlake Bridge.
The area around the Montlake Cut gets very congested on the morning of the races. Consider taking Metro, Light Rail, or rideshare.
The Windermere Cup races begin at 10:00 a.m. but the Montlake Bridge closes to car traffic at 9:40 a.m. It is best to arrive between 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. to get a spot on the Cut to watch the races.
After the races, all of the competing crews, with the exception of the teams competing in the Windermere Cup and Erickson Cascade Cup, will wait at the west end of the Montlake Cut in Portage Bay until all the races are over and then they will row back through the Cut to the Conibear Shellhouse to put their boats away. This creates quite a spectacle every year. Afterward there is an awards ceremony on the JumboTron Stage on the North side of the Montlake Cut, west of the Montlake Bridge, approximately between 12:30 - 2:00 PM. Many of the athletes gather there after the races.
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