The men's eight event was part of the rowing programme at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

In addition to gold medals, the winners received a challenge prize that had been donated by Eugenio Brunetta d'Usseaux before his death in 1919.

[2] The two-time defending Olympic champion was the Leander Club of Great Britain.

Belgium, France, Great Britain, Norway, and the United States each made their third appearance, tying the absent Canada for most among nations to that point.

[3] The 1920 tournament featured three rounds of one-on-one races; with 8 boats in the competition, the bracket was perfectly balanced.