The Nehru Trophy at a glance
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a race of long snake boats on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. Teams of rowers drive the boats down the course. The snake boats, also called chundan, are racing boats. They are not houseboats and they do not carry overnight guests.
The 72nd race took place on 22 August 2026. This page looks back at that race and explains how to plan for the next one. If you want to be on the water on any other day, see the Alleppey boat tours.
The 2026 race in short
A look back, not an event you can still book.
Where and when
The race was held on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on 22 August 2026. The date is not the same every year, so do not rely on a fixed weekday of the month.
Who raced
71 boats took part, including 22 snake boats. The snake boats are the large rowing boats that give the race its look.
Weather on race day
August falls in the rainy season. Typical rain for Alappuzha in August is about 350 mm, so a race day can be wet.
Our pick: a backwater trip, not a race ticket
This is a canoe tour across Punnamada, the lake where the race is held, and it is not a race ticket.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Alleppey boat trips and backwater tours
Backwater cruises, canoe trips and day tours from Alleppey, with live prices and availability.
Champions Boat League 2026
The Nehru Trophy is one race. The league is a separate series of races across Kerala.
The sixth season of the Champions Boat League opened on 19 September 2026 at Karuvatta and has 11 races in all. Later races include Kainakari on 7 November 2026 and Kayamkulam on 14 November 2026. The final is on 21 November 2026 at Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, together with the President's Trophy.
Do not mix up the league final with the Nehru Trophy. They are different events in different places. Dates for league races can be changed, so confirm each one before you plan a trip around it. Check seats and ticket details for each league race separately.
Planning for the next Nehru Trophy
Do not work out the date of the next Nehru Trophy from this year's date. Wait for the announced date, and plan your Alleppey stay around the race only once it is confirmed.
- Tickets: check categories, prices and collection rules in the announcements for each race. Do not use price lists from earlier years.
- Road access and parking: these change from race to race. Ask your accommodation what to expect on the day.
- Weather: bring rain gear and plan for hot, wet conditions in the rainy season.
- Getting around: allow extra time for every move on race day.
Punnamada is also a boarding area that some houseboat operators use, so you may know the name from a houseboat booking. If you want to be on the water around race time, ask your operator whether the route and the boarding point differ on race day. August falls in the rainy season, so build in a buffer for weather and for getting around.
Plan the rest of your Alleppey trip
What to do around a race.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race: frequently asked questions
When was the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in 2026?
The 72nd race took place on 22 August 2026 on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha.
How many boats raced in 2026?
71 boats took part, including 22 snake boats.
Is the Nehru Trophy always on the second Saturday of August?
No. The 2026 race was on 22 August, so do not count on a fixed weekday. Wait for the announced date.
What is a snake boat?
A long racing boat rowed by a team, also called a chundan. It is a race boat and not a houseboat.
Is the Champions Boat League final the Nehru Trophy?
No. The 2026 league final is on 21 November 2026 at Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam. The Nehru Trophy is a separate race on Punnamada Lake.
Can I still buy Nehru Trophy tickets for 2026?
No. The 2026 race has been held. Ticket categories and prices differ from year to year, so check the announcement for the next race before you plan.