99th Stotesbury Cup Regatta Presented by Toyota Returns to Philadelphia as World’s Largest High School Rowing Event Opens Historic Summer on the Schuylkill River
More than 4,000 student athletes and tens of thousands of spectators expected as the Schuylkill Navy launches the road to the 100th Stotesbury Cup in 2027
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – May 13, 2026 – More than 4,000 student-athletes from across the United States and Canada will descend on Philadelphia’s historic Schuylkill River on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 for the 99th Stotesbury Cup Regatta Presented by Toyota — the largest high school rowing event in the world and one of Philadelphia’s most enduring athletic traditions.
Founded in 1927, the Stotesbury Cup Regatta has become one of the signature youth sporting events in America and a defining spring tradition along Kelly Drive and Boathouse Row. Organized by the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia — founded in 1858 as the nation’s oldest amateur athletic governing body — the regatta serves as the opening marquee event of the Schuylkill Navy Series Presented by Toyota.
The 2026 event arrives during a globally significant summer for Philadelphia, placing the Schuylkill River and Boathouse Row at the center of one of the city’s most visible international moments in decades. Nationally ranked scholastic rowing programs, hundreds of racing shells, packed grandstands, school tents stretching along Kelly Drive, and one of America’s most recognizable urban riverfronts combine to create a uniquely Philadelphia spectacle expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators over the two-day event.
“This regatta represents far more than a rowing competition,” said Jeff Greenfield, Commodore of the Schuylkill Navy. “The Stotesbury Cup is one of the great traditions in American amateur sports and one of the events that helps define Philadelphia’s identity each spring. As our city prepares to welcome unprecedented international attention in 2026, we are proud to showcase the Schuylkill River, Boathouse Row, and the generations of student-athletes, volunteers and families who continue to sustain this remarkable tradition.”
Greenfield noted that the 2026 regatta also marks the beginning of the lead-up to a historic milestone — the 100th running of the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in 2027.
“For nearly a century, the Stotesbury Cup has brought together young athletes from across North America to compete on Philadelphia’s historic ‘National Course,’” Greenfield added. “Very few youth sporting events in the United States can match the history, scale, tradition and atmosphere of this regatta.”
Toyota returns once again as presenting sponsor of the Schuylkill Navy Series and the Stotesbury Cup Regatta.
“We’re pleased to continue Toyota’s support of the Schuylkill Navy Series and the Stotesbury Cup Regatta,” said Paul Muller, President of the Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association. “These events are a longstanding tradition in Philadelphia rowing and bring together student-athletes, families and the broader community along the Schuylkill River each season. Our local Toyota Dealers are proud to support another season of remarkable racing on the river.”
This year’s regatta will once again feature many of the nation’s premier scholastic rowing programs competing for some of the sport’s most prestigious prizes. Local crews are expected to contend prominently throughout the weekend, including Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School defending the coveted Boys Senior Eight Stotesbury Cup title, Mount Saint Joseph Academy pursuing the Girls Senior Eight championship, and Philadelphia City Rowing entering competition following its Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association championship performance in the Boys Double.
Finals begin on Saturday at 12:40 p.m. at the grandstands along Kelly Drive. Complete race schedules and event information are available through the Stotesbury Cup Regatta.
MEDIA CONTACT: Bonnie Mueller, Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, Bmueller81@me.com, (215) 815-0599
About the Stotesbury Cup Regatta Presented by Toyota: The Stotesbury Cup Regatta Presented by Toyota is the largest scholastic rowing event in the world and one of Philadelphia’s signature amateur sporting traditions. Held annually on the Schuylkill River since 1927, the regatta is organized by the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, the non-profit organization that governs Boathouse Row and promotes rowing and paddling throughout the region. Additional information is available at https://stotesburycupregatta.com.
About the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia: Founded in 1858, the Schuylkill Navy is the oldest amateur athletic governing body in the United States. Chartered by its member clubs on Boathouse Row and upriver, the organization works to promote amateur rowing, stewardship of the Schuylkill River and Fairmount Park, youth development, and the preservation of Philadelphia’s historic rowing traditions. Additional information is available at https://boathouserow.org.
