Head of the Trent Returns with New Riverside Experience for 2026
55th Head of the Trent Regatta features premier rowing alongside varsity competition, family activities, and alumni celebrations Oct. 2-4
One of Peterborough’s signature fall weekends, Head of the Trent, returns to Trent University October 2 to 4, bringing thousands of athletes, alumni, families, and community members together on campus to enjoy rowing races, varsity games, and family-friendly programming.
“Head of the Trent is a weekend people look forward to year after year, reconnecting them with Trent and the Peterborough region,” said Julie Davis, vice president, External Relations, Marketing & Communications. “This year’s new riverside viewing experience offers visitors a fresh way to be part of this longstanding tradition, whether they are discovering Head of the Trent for the first time or returning year after year.”
A weekend of sport and community
At the heart of the weekend of activity is the Head of the Trent Regatta, hosted by the Peterborough Rowing Club. More than 1,400 rowers from across Ontario, Quebec, Western Canada, and the northern United States will compete in one of North America’s premier head races on the Otonabee River running through Trent’s Symons Campus.
With the Faryon Bridge revitalization underway, spectators can watch the regatta from other prime viewing locations along the Otonabee, including Trent’s Founders Walk on the West Bank of Symons Campus. The river side of the Student Centre is a primary hub of activity, including the Kids’ Zone presented by TD Insurance. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. families can enjoy free activities including inflatables, lawn games, face painting, and visits with animals. Kids can also meet Bluey and Bingo from 11 a.m. to noon and Paw Patrol’s Chase and Marshall from 1 to 2 p.m.
Beyond rowing action, Head of the Trent offers a full weekend of varsity sport competition. Fans can cheer on the Trent Excalibur throughout the weekend, with women’s and men’s rugby, soccer and volleyball in action.
Official Head of the Trent Merchandise, including the iconic souvenir HOTT mug, will be available to purchase outside of the Student Centre. All proceeds support the Trent University Rowing Club.
A range of food and drink options will also be available throughout the weekend. Saturday starts with a free pancake breakfast alongside health and wellness educational opportunities on the Upper Bata Podium. Visitors can also enjoy a range of cuisines at the food truck area near Bata Library, or visit the Ceilie, the only licensed location on campus.
Generations return to Trent
For alumni, Head of the Trent is an opportunity to reconnect with friends and celebrate Trent pride. Alumni celebrations kick off Friday evening with the Trent Alumni Rowing & Rugby Social at Justin Chiu Stadium, bringing together alumni from two of Trent’s longest-standing varsity programs to cheer on the Excalibur women’s rugby team alongside students and community members. Former Excalibur soccer players return to the field Saturday morning for the alumni soccer game.
On Saturday, the Alumni Welcome Tent at the Student Centre is the starting point for alumni returning to campus. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., alumni can activate their Alumni Perks app, receive $5 in HOTT Bucks towards Trent University Rowing Club merchandise, and collect an alumni wristband for special weekend offers, including 25 per cent off at the Campus Store and exclusive access to the Alumni Fan Zone at Justin Chiu Stadium. Alumni can also enter for a chance to win Trent swag and prizes throughout the day.
Champlain College will also mark its 60th anniversary during Head of the Trent, with an anniversary brunch, guided college tours, and a special Great Hall display featuring photographs, artifacts, and stories spanning six decades of college life.
Celebrate safely
Trent welcomes everyone to celebrate and participate in Head of the Trent programming on campus. The University works closely with the City of Peterborough, student unions, and local emergency services each year to support a safe and enjoyable weekend in Peterborough.
Visit the Head of the Trent website for the full event schedule.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information, and to confirm your attendance, contact:
Jemma Lywood, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6188 or jemmalywood@trentu.ca