The Burgess guide to the 2026 sailing regatta calendar

 An array of exciting and action-packed sailing regattas are held each year, with superyachts flocking to various destinations to participate and watch the events unfold. Whether you're after a trophy or are just there for the social events that surround each regatta, there's an array of events all the way from Antigua to Palma.

With a blend of long-running classics and up-and-coming entries, our 2026 sailing regattas guide has it all.

Superyacht Challenge Antigua

3–8 March 2026

Held annually in Nelson's Dockyard, the four-day invitational event is open to sailing vessels over 30m (98ft). Expect daily pursuit races plus an optional race around Antigua, with the start and finish lines just off English Harbour. There are three classes – buccaneers, corsairs and privateers – all competing under the ORC Superyacht Rule.

Heineken Regatta

5–8 March 2026

The St Maarten Heineken Regatta will celebrate its 46th edition in 2026. While not as notable as its Caribbean counterparts like the St Barth’s Bucket, it is in fact the largest regatta in the Caribbean. From Olympic medallists to holidaymakers, sailors are offered a mix of races to suit each class.

St Barths Bucket Regatta

12–15 March 2026

The St Barths Bucket Regatta 2026 is an annual boat race with parties as big as the sailing yachts. A much-anticipated highlight on the Caribbean yachting calendar, here the island’s laid-back vibe marries with some serious racing action. While the Bucket’s origins were recreational at best, today the rules are stricter. A minimum of 40m must be kept between boats, and a pursuit race format must be kept where each yacht is assigned its own start time. But none of that distracts from the fact that the St Barth Regatta is a seriously fun event to attend.

Antigua Sailing Week

22–26 April 2026

A four-day destination sailing experience, Antigua Sailing Week 2026 will see participants circumnavigate Antigua’s stunning coastline. With anticipated excellent sailing conditions and welcome events at each destination, it’s a complete experience both on the water and ashore.

Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta

26–30 May 2026

Organised by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the Sardinian superyacht regatta is back for a fourth year with Giorgio Armani as its title sponsor. Open to yachts with a minimum length of 24m (78ft), particular highlights include a Giorgio Armani Mare pop-up boutique in Piazza Azzurra, a gala dinner at the yacht club, and the return of the Southern Wind Rendezvous and Trophy. A new Corinthian Spirit division will debut this year for yachts with a cruising setup, reducing the need for professional racers on board.

Cyclades Cup

10–13 June 2026

Following its successful debut in June 2024, the Cyclades Cup is back for a third year. In collaboration with the Yacht Club of Greece, it’s held on the scenic island of Antiparos in Greece. Welcoming sailing yachts over 30m, there are 90ft and 100ft racing classes. Aside from the racing, expect a full social programme, from sunset cocktails and dinners to sightseeing excursions.

Loro Piana Giraglia

12–20 June 2026

This annual regatta is hosted in early June by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda on northeastern Sardinia, surrounded by the stunning La Maddalena archipelago. There are two classes: one for monohulled superyachts, another for multihulls. Things kick off with four days of inshore racing in the waters of Saint-Tropez, culminating with the start of the offshore leg along the classic 241 mile triangle route from Saint-Tropez to Giraglia to Genoa.

Superyacht Cup Palma

24–27June 2026

The longest running regatta in Europe, the Superyacht Cup Palma is located at the Real Club Nautico de Palma, Mallorca. Four days of action-packed racing is met with a spectacular programme of ashore events for owners, captains and crew, all culminating in the awards ceremony where the winners are crowned.

Copa del Rey Regatta

1–8 August 2026

Based in Palma’s Real Club Nautico, this multi-class sailing competition is held on the waters off Palma, Mallorca, every year. With six days of racing, it attracts some of the best skippers and crew from around the world, as well as King Felipe VI.

Cowes Week

1–7 August 2026

Held off the Isle of Wight, Cowes Week is the oldest and one of the most respected long-running sailing regattas in the world. Having started in 1826, this year marks its bicentenary – a major milestone for the event. Over 500 boats are estimated to take part in this historic sailing event, with more than 40 different boat classes divided into White Group (dayboats) and Black Group (cruiser-racers/keelboats).

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

6–12 September 2026

First held in Sardinia in 1980, today the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is one of the highlights of the Mediterranean yachting season. Held on the Costa Smeralda, this stunning backdrop offers a variety of challenging conditions for the sizeable fleet of majestic maxi yachts that make their way to Porto Cervo each September.

Swan Med Regatta, Tuscany Challenge

16–20 September 2026

A recent newcomer to the Mediterranean regatta calendar, the Tuscany Challenge brings Swan owners together for a unique end-of-season event set against the stunning backdrop of the Tuscan archipelago. Classes include ClubSan 50, ClubSwan 42, and ClubSwan 36, celebrating the community over three days.

Ibiza JoySail

17–20 September 2026

One of the newer regattas on the Mediterranean circuit, the Ibiza JoySail regatta returns this year for its sixth edition. This laidback Balearic event welcomes maxis and superyachts for offshore and coastal racing. Invitation only, last year saw the Swan MOAT claim its record fifth consecutive win in the Performance Class.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

26 September–4 October 2026

Set your social compass for the South of France for the prestigious Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. From classic wooden sailing yachts steeped in history to state-of-the-art carbon racing machines, this Mediterranean sailing regatta welcomes more than 250 classic and contemporary sailboats. Last year, the event saw an impressive turnout with a record entry of 41 yachts.

Oyster Palma Regatta

2026 dates to be confirmed

The 19th edition of the Oyster Regatta, held on the island of Mallorca, returns to Port Adriano. The 2025 event celebrated the British boatbuilder with an international fleet of 20 yachts on the racing roster. The regatta spans six days, with plenty of social events and four days of racing. The results contribute to the overall series and Oyster Cup.

Phuket King's Cup Regatta

15–20 December 2026

Asia's biggest sailing regatta, the event was inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand's birthday. The regatta has been held every year since during the first week of December in the waters off Kata Beach, Phuket.

Get ready to discover the world of superyacht regattas in 2026 with the help of Burgess Yachts. Contact a member of our team today.