The inaugural season of the Champions Boat League (CBL) marked a groundbreaking initiative to revitalize Kerala's traditional backwater boat races under a unified, professional format. Conceived along the lines of popular sports leagues, the first edition of CBL spanned nearly three months, opening on August 10th with the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Alappuzha's iconic Punnamada Lake and culminating on November 1st with the President's Trophy Boat Race in Kollam. In between, 12 races were held across six districts - Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Malappuram.
A major allure for participating clubs and their rowers was the substantial cash prize pool. Modeled after the IPL framework, the league aimed to elevate Kerala's boat-racing tradition into an international sporting experience, showcasing world-class standards in competition management and promotion. The Department of Tourism sought expert agencies—preferably with a sports-oriented background—to handle the event's execution for five years, thereby ensuring both professionalism and consistency.
Featuring nine competitive teams, the Champions Boat League Season 1 not only encouraged skillful rowing but also provided significant financial support to boat clubs, inspiring a new generation of oarsmen. By emphasizing professional training and competitive spirit, the event strengthened the cultural fabric of Kerala's famous backwater races, giving them renewed visibility among domestic and international audiences.
Besides the races themselves, Season 1 served as a strategic tourism initiative. Holding the league during the monsoon months - traditionally considered an off-season - offered visitors a unique travel experience. The lush rains and lively boat races worked in harmony to showcase Kerala's natural beauty and cultural richness. According to the state's tourism authorities, this approach not only extended the tourist season but also contributed to the local economy, benefiting everyone from hospitality providers to handicraft artisans.
All in all, the inaugural Champions Boat League proved to be much more than a sporting event. It was a fusion of culture, heritage, and athletic prowess, ensuring that the iconic snake-boat races continued to captivate generations of spectators while elevating Kerala's standing as a premier destination for water-based festivities.
The second edition of the Champions Boat League (CBL) built upon Kerala's iconic snake boat racing tradition, running from September 4th to November 26th, 2022 across 12 venues in five districts.
Season 3 of the Champions Boat League in 2023 once again brought Kerala's backwaters to life with thrilling races, vibrant celebrations, and fierce rivalries among the state's most accomplished boat clubs.
The fourth edition of the Champions Boat League, organized by Kerala Tourism, brought a renewed wave of excitement to Kerala's legendary backwaters. Spanning six weeks from November 16th to December 21st, 2024, it showcased the state's iconic snake boat races across six picturesque venues.
