October 10, 2026 | Kochi, Kerala: The sixth leg of the Champions Boat League (CBL) 2026, along with the Indira Gandhi Boat Race, will be held at Marine Drive in Ernakulam on Saturday, October 10. Organised by the Kerala Tourism Department, the event will celebrate Kerala’s traditional boat-racing heritage and promote Kochi as a major tourism destination.

The programme will begin at 1 PM, with the boat races scheduled to start around 2 PM after a public meeting and a mass drill performance. The event will conclude with a prize distribution ceremony in the evening.

Nine Chundan Vallams to Compete

Nine traditional snake boats (Chundan Vallams) that secured prominent positions at the 2026 Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha will compete in the Champions Boat League event.

The participating boats are:

• Aaroma-1 Chundan
• Nadubhagam Chundan
• Veeyapuram Chundan
• Melpadam Chundan
• Niranam Chundan
• Arppookkara Chundan
• Cheruthana Chundan
• Punyalan Niranam Chundan
• Thalavady Chundan

The competition will bring the excitement of Kerala’s famous backwater sporting tradition to the heart of Kochi, offering spectators an opportunity to witness some of the state's leading snake-boat teams in action.

Local Boat Races and Iruttukuthi Competitions

Alongside the Champions Boat League, the organisers will conduct local boat races featuring smaller traditional boats. Thanian, Thuruthippuram, Gothuruth Puthran, St. Sebastian No. 1 and Ponjanathamma are among the boats scheduled to participate.

Competitions featuring Iruttukuthi boats will also be organised, with teams from different districts taking part. These events will showcase the diversity of Kerala’s traditional boat-racing culture and provide a broader celebration of the state's maritime and backwater heritage.

Navy and Fire Force Demonstrations to Add Excitement

The event will feature special demonstrations by the Indian Navy and the Fire and Rescue Services, adding to the excitement of the boat races. Cultural performances will also form part of the programme, including a musical fusion presentation by Cherthala Sri Vinayaka Chullans and performances such as Garudan.

The combination of sporting competitions, demonstrations and cultural programmes is expected to make the event an attractive outing for residents and visitors.

Ministers and Dignitaries to Attend

The inaugural ceremony will be opened by Roji M. John, Minister for Higher Education. T. J. Vinod, MLA, will preside over the function, while V. E. Abdul Gafoor, Minister for Fisheries, Harbour Engineering and Social Justice, will deliver the Champions Boat League message.

Hibi Eden, Member of Parliament representing Ernakulam, and Minimol V. K., Mayor of Kochi Corporation, will attend as chief guests. Tourism Department Joint Director Girish Kumar D. will deliver the welcome address, while Fort Kochi Sub Collector Grande Sai Krishna, IAS, will present the report. Lijo Joseph, Secretary of the Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), will deliver the vote of thanks.

Safety Arrangements and Visitor Facilities

Comprehensive safety arrangements have been planned in coordination with various government departments and agencies to ensure the smooth conduct of the races. Pavilions and other essential facilities will be arranged for spectators attending the event.

The organisers expect the boat races and accompanying cultural activities to attract boat-race enthusiasts, tourists and members of the public to Marine Drive.

Boost for Kochi Tourism

The Champions Boat League is an important platform for promoting Kerala’s traditional boat races and making the state's cultural heritage more accessible to younger generations and international visitors. Hosting the event at Marine Drive will also highlight Kochi’s potential as a destination for cultural tourism and major public events.

With traditional snake boats, local racing competitions, naval demonstrations and cultural performances coming together, the October 10 event is expected to offer visitors an exciting experience of Kerala’s distinctive water-sport traditions.

The celebrations will conclude with the prize distribution ceremony in the evening.