From 26 to 28 June, Lake Rotsee in Lucerne will once again be one of the main focal points of international rowing. LUCERNE REGATTA 2026, which coincides with the third and final test of the World Rowing Cup, will bring together over 650 athletes representing 42 nations. The event is particularly significant not only for the high technical level of the competition, but also because it represents a fundamental step in preparation for the 2027 World Championships, which will be held on the same race course.
A total of 270 crews will compete in the various categories, with numerous world-class athletes ready to compete for victory in the final round of the World Cup season.
The most anticipated challenges on Rotsee
Among the most followed events is certainly the men's singles, where the confrontation between the German Oliver Zeidler and Dutch Simon van DorpThe two have already sparked a high-level rivalry: in 2024, Van Dorp managed to prevail on Rotsee, while a few months later Zeidler won Olympic gold in Paris, leaving his opponent with the bronze medal.
This year the German will start as the favourite, also thanks to his knowledge of the competition area, having now lived and trained permanently in central Switzerland.
The women's singles also promises to be a spectacle with three very important names: the Irish Fiona Murtagh, 2025 world champion, the Dutch Karolien Florijn, Olympic gold in 2024, and the British Lauren Henry, winner of the last edition of the regatta.
Switzerland seeks redemption in front of their home crowd
The national team of SWISS ROWING The federation arrives at the Lucerne event after a peculiar management of the season. After reaching three finals in the inaugural World Cup event held in Seville, the federation chose not to participate in the second event to conduct further internal selections and review some crew combinations.
20 athletes will be lined up on the Rotsee in eight boats.
Great attention will also be paid to Patrick Brunner e Jonah Plock, world bronze in 2025 in Shanghai. The two had suffered some physical problems during the Spanish trip and are now aiming to regain their best condition in the home match.
An increasingly inclusive World Cup
In 2026, the event will again dedicate significant space to Paralympic rowing. Alongside the 17 traditional categories, five Para Rowing competitions will be held, with nearly fifty athletes taking part.
Among the most anticipated protagonists is Claire Ghiringhelli, who last year achieved Switzerland's first historic victory in a Paralympic World Cup event on the Rotsee. Lucerne will also be her seasonal debut.
The Paralympic finals are scheduled for Saturday at 12:35 pm and Sunday at 11:05 am and 2:01 pm.
The Talents Cup promotes the future of Swiss rowing
After last year's debut, the Talents Cup, an initiative dedicated to the best young people in the national movement.
The competition involves mixed Under 17 crews in the quad sculls and allows emerging talents to compete in the same event that hosts the great international champions.
The qualifications, held during three national regattas, awarded six companies:
- Ruderclub Reuss Luzern (36 points)
- Ruderclub Baden (24)
- Rowing Club Bern (22)
- Seeclub Luzern (20)
- Basler Ruder-Club (17)
- Seeclub Sempach (16)
Ruderclub Reuss Luzern has reached the final after winning all the qualifying rounds and will therefore start as the favorite. The final is scheduled for Saturday, June 27th at 2:20 PM.
The public will be able to try rowing
The event will also involve enthusiasts thanks to the Ergometer Challenge, open free of charge to anyone who wishes to try their hand at the rowing ergometer.
The initiative will be organized both in the finish area on Rotsee and in the old town of Lucerne, at the Kornmarkt, on Saturday between 11 am and 16 pm. Also on Saturday, at 17 pm, the Kapellplatz will host a demonstration challenge between some well-known faces of Swiss rowing, including the Olympic bronze medalists from Paris. Roman Röösli e Andrin Gulich, who will compete in front of the public.
The regatta represents the general test for the 2027 World Championships
The 2026 edition also constitutes an organizational test in view of the 2027 World Rowing Championships.
As explained by the Executive Director Timon WernasThe event will allow us to further refine our organizational processes and involve new figures within the committee, so as to arrive prepared for the world championship event.
The World Championships will take place from 23 to 29 August 2027 and will also be particularly important from an Olympic perspective, as they will award a large portion of the tickets for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Over 1.200 athletes from over 70 countries and approximately 60.000 spectators are expected to attend the event. In addition to the sporting competitions, awards ceremonies and a program of activities for the public are planned.
