Every year, Kerala’s backwaters come alive with one of the most exciting sporting events in the state — the Champions Boat League (CBL). Watch magnificent snake boats, or Chundan Vallom, race through the waters as hundreds of rowers move together to the rhythm of the oars. The energy of the rowers, the cheers from the banks and the beauty of Kerala’s backwaters make the races a thrilling experience.

The Champions Boat League was launched in 2019 as a professional league for Kerala’s traditional snake-boat races. The first season was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the presence of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who was the chief guest. The league was created to give Kerala’s boat-racing tradition a wider audience and to attract more visitors to the state.

Champions Boat League 2026

The sixth season of the Champions Boat League began on September 19, 2026, at Karuvatta in Alappuzha. This year's league has 11 races at different locations across Kerala, bringing the excitement of Vallamkali to the state's rivers and backwaters. The season will end on November 21 at Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, along with the President's Trophy Boat Race.

Nine snake boats are competing in CBL 2026. From this season, the teams are identified by the names of the participating boats rather than the names of their boat clubs. The nine boats are Aroma Chundan, Nadubhagam Chundan, Veeyapuram Chundan, Melpadom Chundan, Niranam Chundan, Arppookara Chundan, Cheruthana Chundan, Punyaalan Niranam and Thalavady Chundan.

The league also gives visitors a chance to experience Kerala beyond its famous tourist attractions. The races bring together the state's backwaters, villages, local communities and traditional culture, making them an important part of Kerala's tourism season.

The winner at each race will receive ₹5 lakh, while the second- and third-place finishers will receive ₹3 lakh and ₹1 lakh respectively. Each team will also receive a ₹4 lakh bonus. At the end of the season, the overall champion will receive ₹25 lakh, while the first and second runners-up will receive ₹15 lakh and ₹10 lakh.

Come, watch the oars rise and fall in perfect rhythm, hear the cheers from the riverbanks and experience the excitement of Kerala's great boat-racing tradition.