Entries have officially closed for the 2026 Australian Rowing Championships (ARC26) at the Lake Barrington International Rowing Course, confirming another record-breaking year for Australia’s pinnacle flatwater regatta.
ARC26 will feature around 1,800 entries across 138 events, filling approximately 5,700 seats and bringing together about 2,100 athletes from across the country.
The figures mark back-to-back record-breaking entry numbers, continuing a clear upward trajectory for the national championships.
The scale of participation highlights the strength and unity of Australian rowing.
Crews from every corner of the country will travel to Tasmania to compete, reinforcing the Championships as a truly national event that brings together athletes, families, coaches and supporters from every corner of Australia.
Growth in participation has been consistent over recent years.
In 2021 the Championships attracted around 1,300 entries.
That number rose to about 1,400 in 2022, 1,600 in 2023, nearly 1,700 in 2024, and around 1,700 in 2025, before reaching approximately 1,800 entries in 2026.
The increase of roughly 500 crews over six years reflects the expanding reach of the sport and the continued strength of the Australian rowing pathway.
ARC uniquely showcases the full spectrum of Australian rowing.
School athletes, club competitors and underage crews will line up alongside national training centre athletes and the Rowsellas, offering spectators a rare opportunity to see the entire performance pathway in action - from emerging talent through to Olympic and Paralympic contenders.
The Championships will once again feature Australia’s most prestigious interstate events, with the King’s Cup and Queen’s Cup set to headline the racing program as states battle for national supremacy.
With entries now confirmed, attention now turns to the start lists as crews prepare for what shapes as one of the largest and most competitive Australian Rowing Championships ever staged.
Spectators will be able to witness the Rowsellas in action, follow the full race program, and experience the atmosphere of a record-breaking event at Lake Barrington.
Tickets are now available, and fans are encouraged to explore the ARC Off-Water Event Series, which will run alongside the racing throughout the week.
ARC26 Key Links