Lead Sponsor BNY Mellon is joined in 2017 by Brooks Brothers, New Balance, Aston Martin and Delta Air Lines as Premier Partners

Cambridge, MA – The Head Of The Charles® Regatta (HOCR), one of the world’s preeminent rowing competitions, has announced its sponsors for the 2017 Regatta taking place the weekend of October 21-22 in Boston. BNY Mellon is proud to return as the lead sponsor of this year’s regatta. The firm will be joined by a group of top-tier partners, including two new premier sponsors, Delta Air Lines and Aston Martin, for the annual event that attracts more than 11,000 rowers and 350,000 spectators to the banks of the Charles River.

The Head Of The Charles Regatta will welcome 30 new sponsors in 2017. In total, the number of sponsors for the 53rd Head Of The Charles Regatta has grown 10 percent from 2016 with nearly 100 partners signed on for this year’s race.

BNY Mellon, a global leader in investment management and investment services, returns to serve as presenting sponsor of the HOCR for the fifth consecutive year. This includes presenting the BNY Mellon Championship Cups to the winning competitors in the Regatta’s Men’s and Women’s Championship Eights.

“The Head Of The Charles Regatta is a beloved New England tradition and among the most prestigious world rowing events,” said Mitchell Harris, CEO of BNY Mellon Investment Management. “BNY Mellon is proud to support HOCR and continue our commitment to rowing. We’re looking forward to a great weekend and presenting the BNY Mellon Championship Cups to the top finishing men’s and women’s collegiate teams.”

Delta Airlines will serve as the Presenting sponsor of the Regatta’s Reunion Village venue, a controlled access enclosure at the midway point of the race offering food, beverages and one of the best vantage points along the racecourse. Delta will also have a strong presence at Weld Bend, on the Cambridge banks of the river, where it will offer Regatta patrons giveaways and game activations promoting Delta.

Aston Martin will join the HOCR for the first time this year as a premier sponsor. The independent British luxury sports car company will have a display tent with vehicles positioned on the banks of the Charles River beside Attager Row, outside the BNY Mellon hospitality tent.

New Balance returns for its fourth year as the Official Athletic Footwear and Athletic Apparel Sponsor of HOCR and will again create a custom shoe designed exclusively for the Regatta. The Brighton-based company will have a retail tent at the Regatta beside Attager Row where the HOCR custom shoe and other HOCR apparel will be available. New Balance will also host “Evening by the Charles! Party Together and Pull Together,” which is a community fundraiser to benefit the West End House Boys and Girls Club on Saturday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. The event will include an opportunity to meet elite international athletes, as well as a silent auction featuring items from HOCR sponsors. Tickets are on sale now at Eventbrite.com.

Brooks Brothers will once again return for a seventh consecutive year as the Official Premium Apparel Sponsor of HOCR and will continue to outfit the more than 2,000 event volunteers with a premium piece of outerwear. Brooks Brothers will use two retail shops to sell products at HOCR, at Attager Row: Rowing & Fitness Expo and the Weld Exhibition.

“This year promises to be one of the most exciting regattas to date with a field of elite rowers from many of the top universities and clubs,” said Fred Schoch, the Executive Director of the HOCR. “It is impossible to do an event of the magnitude of the Head Of The Charles Regatta every year without the support of amazing partners. We’re thrilled to share our fall tradition with our new and returning partners.”

The Head Of The Charles Regatta will be free and open to the public. In addition to rowing action on the challenging three-mile course – beginning at Boston University’s DeWolfe Boathouse and finishing at Artesani Park in Brighton – the Regatta offers a number of family-friendly activities. These include the Rowing and Fitness Expo; food vendors serving delicacies from all over the world; and Reunion Village – the half-way point of the race offering clubs, schools, alumni groups, parents, boosters and more opportunities to catch up with friends in a fun and relaxed environment.

For more information on the Head Of The Charles Regatta, please visit www.hocr.org, follow HOCR’s official Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as the official 2017 regatta hashtag #HOCR53.

About the Head Of The Charles Regatta
Preparing for the 53rd race, the Head Of The Charles Regatta, one of the world’s preeminent rowing competitions, attracts more than 11,000 rowers and tens of thousands of spectators to the banks of the Charles River. Racing takes place on Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22, between the hours of 7:45 AM and 5:00 PM. The Regatta attracts youth, collegiate, masters, para-rowing, international, world champion and Olympic athletes competing in more than 60 events. Follow HOCR on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Media Contact
Kevin Flight, Elevate Communications
617-861-3657, kflight@elevatecom.com