From regattas on the historic waters around the Isle of Wight to the sun-drenched Mediterranean, Europe plays host to some of the world’s most iconic regattas. Whether you’re at the helm, sailing as a crew member, or soaking up the atmosphere as a spectator, these are the events you can’t miss. Below, you’ll find an overview of the key regattas, including starting locations, routes, and the dates for upcoming editions.
52 SUPER SERIES
The start of the Grand Prix season in the Mediterranean.
Start date: May
Start location: Italy, Spain
Route: Short windward-leeward courses.
Boat type: TP52.
Frequency: Annual circuit.
Website: www.52superseries.com
Tre Golfi Sailing Week
Elegant races along the Italian coast in spring.
Start date: May
Start location: Naples, Italy.
Route: Offshore around the islands (Ponza, Li Galli) and inshore near Sorrento.
Types of boats: Maxi yachts, ORCs, and classics.
Frequency: Annual.
Website: www.tregolfisailingweek.com
North Sea Regatta
The largest sailing festival in the Netherlands.
Start date: June (Start Inshores Scheveningen). The Vuurschepenrace to England usually starts the week before.
Start location: Scheveningen, Netherlands.
Route: Courses along the coast (and offshore to England).
Boat types: ORC/IRC, one-design classes.
Frequency: Annual.
Website: www.nsr.nl
Loro Piana Giraglia
One of the most elegant and historic races in the Mediterranean. The event combines Italian flair with French charm, starting with inshore races in Saint-Tropez and ending with an offshore race to Genoa.
Start location: Saint-Tropez, France (finish in Genoa, Italy).
Route: First, inshore courses near Saint-Tropez, followed by the long race (241 miles) via the Giraglia Rock (north of Corsica) to Genoa.
Frequency: Annual.
Start date: June
Boat types: Maxi yachts, Swan yachts, and modern racers (IRC/ORC).
Website: www.loropianagiraglia.com
Kieler Woche
The world’s largest sailing event in Germany.
Start date: June
Start location: Kiel, Germany.
Route: Olympic and offshore courses in Kiel Fjord.
Boat types: Olympic classes, ORC/IRC.
Frequency: Annual.
Website: www.kieler-woche.de
The Superyacht Cup Palma
Exclusive battle of the giants.
Start date: June
Start location: Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Route: Bay of Palma.
Vessel types: Superyachts (>24m).
Frequency: Annual.
Website: www.thesuperyachtcup.com
Rolex Fastnet Race
The famous and infamous offshore classic.
Start date: July
Start location: Cowes, United Kingdom.
Route: Cowes -> Fastnet Rock (Ireland) -> Cherbourg (France).
Boat types: Offshore racers (IRC, IMOCA, multihulls).
Frequency: Every 2 years (odd years).
Website: www.rolexfastnetrace.com
Copa del Rey MAPFRE
The Royal Regatta of Spain.
Start date: July
Start location: Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Route: Inshore courses in the Bay of Palma.
Boat types: ORC, ClubSwan, One-Design.
Frequency: Annual.
Website: www.regatacopadelrey.com
Cowes Week
Tradition and top-level sport on the Solent.
Start date: August
Start location: Cowes, Isle of Wight (UK).
Route: The Solent.
Boat types: Wide variety (classic to modern).
Frequency: Annual.
Website: www.cowesweek.co.uk
The Ocean Race
The European edition of the world’s toughest race.
Start date: 2027
Start location: Alicante, Spain
Route: Around the world with stops
Boat type: IMOCA 60
Frequency: Every 4 years
Website: www.theoceanrace.com
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
This is the absolute pinnacle of luxury racing. Nowhere else in the world will you see such a concentration of the largest, most expensive, and most advanced yachts in one place. The backdrop of the Costa Smeralda completes the picture.
Starting location: Porto Cervo, Sardinia (Italy).
Route sailed: Coastal routes through the La Maddalena archipelago (“Bomb Alley”).
Frequency: Annual.
Starting date: September
Boat types: Maxi yachts (minimum 18 meters), Supermaxis, J-Class, and Wallys.
Website: www.yccs.it
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
The glamorous season finale.
Start date: September
Start location: Saint-Tropez, France.
Route: French Riviera coastal routes.
Boat types: Classic yachts and modern racers.
Frequency: Annual.
Website: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
Barcolana
The world’s largest mass start.
Start date: October
Start location: Trieste, Italy.
Route: Triangular course in the Gulf of Trieste.
Boat type: Open to all.
Frequency: Annual.
Website: www.barcolana.it
Rolex Middle Sea Race
Along with the Fastnet Race and the Sydney-Hobart Race, this forms the “big three” of the 600-mile offshore classics. The route around Sicily, with the active volcano Stromboli as its landmark, is arguably the most scenic in the world.
Starting location: Valletta, Malta (Grand Harbour).
Route to be sailed: A counterclockwise circuit around Sicily: through the Strait of Messina, past Stromboli, around the Egadi Islands, Pantelleria, and Lampedusa, back to Malta.
Frequency: Annual.
Next regatta start date: October
Boat types: Offshore racing yachts, multihulls, and maxis.
Website: www.rolexmiddlesearace.com
America’s Cup
The oldest trophy in sport (Music of the Future).
Start date: Expected in 2027.
Start location: Depends on which team won the last regatta.
Route: Match racing.
Boat type: AC75 (Foiling Monohulls).
Frequency: Irregular (approximately every 3-4 years).
Website: www.americascup.com
Vendée Globe
The ultimate solo race.
Start date: November 2028
Start location: Les Sables-d’Olonne, France.
Route: Solo non-stop around the world.
Boat type: IMOCA 60.
Frequency: Every 4 years.
Website: www.vendeeglobe.org
