Thiruvananthapuram: Season 6 of the annual Champions Boat League (CBL), organised by tourism department, will begin on Sept 19, showcasing the state’s unique snake-boat racing heritage at multiple venues.Starting from Karuvatta in Alappuzha, CBL 2026 will feature 11 races in as many places, spanning across scenic backwaters and riverine sites in different districts. The final race will be held on Nov 21 in Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, coinciding with the President’s Trophy Boat Race.After the opening race, CBL will move on to Kallada in Kollam on Sept 23. The third race will be at Pandanad in Alappuzha on Sept 26. Kottapuram in Thrissur will be the fourth venue (Oct 2), followed by Marine Drive in Kochi (Oct 10) and Piravom (Oct 17). Thazhathangadi in Kottayam will host the seventh race on Oct 24.The subsequent three races will be held at Pulinkunnu (Oct 31) and Kainakari (Nov 7) in Alappuzha and Kayamkulam (Nov 14), before the grand finale on Nov 21.The tourism department has plans to brand the unique snake-boat race tradition globally, said minister P C Vishnunadh. “The upcoming CBL season will also enhance the tourism potential of the places where the races are being held. Besides enjoying the races and the festive mood they generate, the season will offer tourists an opportunity to experience the natural charm of our backwaters and riverine ecosystem and local culture in all its flavours,” he added.The teams, from this year onwards, will be known by the name of the participating snake-boats.
