Following a successful pilot year in 2025, the EXR Invitational returns again but on an even bigger stage: this year’s final will be staged in Birmingham during the British Rowing Indoor Championships (BRIC) and the World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH). With a bigger prize pot and more racing opportunities than ever, the EXR Invitational is set to be another humdinger of an event.
What is the EXR Invitational?
The EXR Invitational is a 5000m indoor rowing competition, where entrants will earn their place through EXR’s online qualifiers, with the fastest 40 male and 40 female rowers invited to compete on the race floor for cash prizes. The leading finishers in each category will race for an increased prize pot totalling £7,000.
In 2025, the virtual world came to life on the big screen, welcoming competitors from around the world. Over 5000m, it was Olympic bronze medallist Holly Dunford who won the women’s event and Indoor Champion Ward Lemmelijn who dominated the open event. Both athletes returned home with the top prize of £1,000.
How qualifying works
Competitors pre-qualify through EXR’s online qualifier races, with eight qualifiers held between 14 September and 22 October 2026. You can enter as many as you like and your top 5000m time counts on the leaderboard. After qualifying races, the top 40 male and female rowers, respectively, will be invited to the live final.
Qualifying window: 14 September – 22 October 2026.
The Final
The final will take place in Birmingham during the British Rowing and World Rowing Indoor Championships on the 5-6 December 2026. Exact race times will be confirmed.
Prizes
All finalists who make the floor will receive a medal and goodie bag, and the top three in each category will race for cash prizes funded by EXR. £1,500 for first, £1,000 for second and £500 for third. Fourth to tenth places are also awarded cash prizes as stated below.
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | £1,500 |
| 2nd | £1,000 |
| 3rd | £500 |
| 4th | £200 |
| 5th | £100 |
| 6th-10th | £50 |
- Place:
- 1st
- Prize:
- £1,500
- Place:
- 2nd
- Prize:
- £1,000
- Place:
- 3rd
- Prize:
- £500
- Place:
- 4th
- Prize:
- £200
- Place:
- 5th
- Prize:
- £100
- Place:
- 6th-10th
- Prize:
- £50
Costs and logistics, including any visa, travel, transportation, accommodation, and food and beverage, are not covered by EXR, British Rowing or World Rowing.
British Rowing Indoor Championships
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