The fifth edition of the Champions Boat League (CBL), organised by Kerala Tourism, brought the excitement of Kerala's legendary snake boat races to a wider audience in 2025. Beginning on September 19 at Kainakary in Alappuzha, the season expanded the league's reach across the state, covering 14 venues from Kasaragod in the north to Kollam in the south. The event featured traditional boat-racing destinations alongside newer venues, including Dharmadam, Beypore and Marine Drive, celebrating the state's rich maritime heritage and vibrant backwater culture.
Nine teams competed in the league, with Veeyapuram Chundan, representing the Village Boat Club of Kainakary, emerging as the season's standout performer. The team won nine races and topped the overall standings, ending Pallathuruthy Boat Club's four-year dominance of the championship. Melpadam Chundan of Pallathuruthy Boat Club and Niranam Chundan of Niranam Boat Club also delivered strong performances, keeping spectators engaged throughout the season.
The championship culminated on January 10, 2026, with the prestigious President's Trophy Boat Race at Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam. Although Veeyapuram Chundan had already secured the overall league title, Niranam Chundan won the final race, followed by Veeyapuram Chundan in second place and Melpadam Chundan in third. At the conclusion of the 11 main league races, Veeyapuram Chundan topped the overall standings with 108 points, followed by Melpadam Chundan with 92 points and Niranam Chundan with 86 points.
The championship awarded ₹25 lakh to the overall winner, ₹15 lakh to the runner-up and ₹10 lakh to the third-place team. At individual race venues, the first-, second- and third-place finishers received ₹5 lakh, ₹3 lakh and ₹1 lakh, respectively, while each participating team received a bonus of ₹4 lakh. With enthusiastic crowds lining the waterways and the league extending its reach to new regions, the fifth edition further strengthened the Champions Boat League's role in promoting the state's traditional boat-racing culture and tourism.
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.
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.
