THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala's celebrated snake-boat racing season is gathering momentum with the sixth season of the Champions Boat League (CBL) bringing a series of spectacular races to the state's backwaters and rivers from September to November 2026.

Organised by the Kerala Tourism Department, CBL Season 6 features 11 races at 11 venues, beginning at Karuvatta in Alappuzha on September 19 and concluding with the President's Trophy Boat Race at Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam on November 21.

The league combines Kerala's centuries-old Vallam Kali tradition with a competitive league format, providing visitors with an opportunity to witness the famous Chundan Vallams, or snake boats, racing through some of the state's most scenic waterways.

Aroma Chundan wins opening race at Karuvatta

The sixth season got off to an exciting start at the Karuvatta Leading Channel Water Stadium in Alappuzha on September 19.

Aroma Chundan, rowed by Aroma Boat Club, Kollam, secured victory in a closely contested opening race. Aroma Chundan finished in 3 minutes 26.15 seconds, narrowly ahead of Melpadam Chundan of the defending champion Pallathuruthy Boat Club, which recorded 3:26.83. Niranam Chundan finished third in 3:27.06.

Kallada is the next stop

Attention now turns to Kallada in Kollam district, where the second race of CBL Season 6 is scheduled for September 23.

The Kallada Boat Race is traditionally one of southern Kerala's prominent Vallam Kali events. It is associated with the Kallada River and the Munroe Thuruthu region and features leading snake boats competing before large crowds.

Following Kallada, the league moves to Pandanad in Alappuzha on September 26, followed by Kottappuram in Thrissur on October 2.

CBL 2026 upcoming schedule

After the opening race at Karuvatta, the announced schedule is:

           Date                 Venue

1. September 23    Kallada, Kollam
2. September 26    Pandanad, Alappuzha
3. October 2    Kottappuram, Thrissur
4. October 10    Marine Drive, Kochi
5. October 17    Piravom, Ernakulam
6. October 24    Thazhathangadi, Kottayam
7. October 31    Pulinkunnu, Alappuzha
8. November 7    Kainakari, Alappuzha]
9. November 14    Kayamkulam, Alappuzha
10. November 21    President's Trophy, Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam

The September-to-November schedule was announced for Season 6, and Kerala Tourism's current festival calendar independently lists Piravom on October 17, Thazhathangadi on October 24 and the President's Trophy on November 21.

Boat races to showcase Kerala's backwaters

Beyond the competition itself, CBL is being used to promote Kerala's backwaters, riverine landscapes and traditional culture to domestic and international visitors.

Tourism Minister P. C. Vishnunadh said the league would help enhance the tourism potential of the destinations hosting the races. Visitors attending the events can experience not only the competition but also the natural landscapes, local culture and festive atmosphere surrounding Kerala's waterways.

The league travels through several important tourism regions, including Alappuzha, Kollam, Kochi, Kottayam and Thrissur, helping spread visitor activity across multiple destinations.

Grand finale at Ashtamudi Lake

The season will culminate on November 21 with the President's Trophy Boat Race at Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam.

The President's Trophy has been held since 2011 and is one of Kerala's prominent snake-boat competitions. The traditional course runs for about 1,200 metres across Ashtamudi Lake.

With ten more races following the Karuvatta opener, the coming weeks will see Kerala's waterways transformed into colourful sporting arenas filled with rhythmic rowing, cheering spectators and the competitive spirit of the state's famous snake-boat tradition.

For travellers visiting Kerala during the season, the races also provide an opportunity to experience one of the state's most distinctive living cultural traditions alongside its celebrated backwater landscapes.