Antigua and Barbuda has long held a reputation as one of the world’s top yachting destinations, and that status is set to grow even stronger with the official launch of the 2026-2027 yachting season event calendar from the Antigua and Barbuda Yachting and Marine Association (ABYMA). The newly released schedule delivers the most diverse lineup in the destination’s history, blending elite international competitions, beloved traditional events, and accessible community-focused activities for sailors of all skill levels.
Elite Racing Gets a Strategic Refresh
Following a successful inaugural launch, the Antigua Racing Cup returns for its second edition with a strategically adjusted schedule. Moving to an earlier start in March, the revised timing aligns perfectly with the RORC Caribbean 600, allowing competing yachts to take on back-to-back high-level races without leaving the Caribbean, a change designed to better serve global sailing teams traveling to the region for competition. The season will also feature long-standing fan-favorite cornerstone races that have become staples of the regional yachting circuit, including the iconic RORC Caribbean 600 and the Nelson Series, alongside the highly anticipated returns of the Antigua Yacht Show and the region’s top-tier Sport Fishing Tournament.
Balancing Heritage and Innovation
The 2026-2027 calendar honors Antigua and Barbuda’s deep maritime roots while embracing fresh formats to appeal to new generations of sailors. The legendary Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, a staple for lovers of traditional sailing vessels, retains its spot as a seasonal highlight, while the Antigua Superyacht Challenge will once again draw attention to some of the most spectacular luxury superyachts in the world. After a successful reimagining in its first year, the newly formatted Antigua Sailing Week returns as a streamlined four-day event that explores multiple coastal destinations around the island, capturing the laid-back, authentic joy of sailing that has defined the nation’s maritime culture for decades. For long-distance adventure seekers, three of the world’s most grueling ocean challenges — the World’s Toughest Row, Salty Dawg Rally, and McCintyre 580 Transat — will once again finish in Antigua, offering intrepid sailors some of the most demanding open-ocean routes on the global yachting calendar.
Prioritizing Inclusive Community Participation
ABYMA and local yacht clubs have expanded accessible programming to ensure the season welcomes recreational and new sailors alongside elite competitors. Antigua Yacht Club will host the Jol Byerley High Tide Series, a collection of events including the High Tide Race, Boxing Day Barrel, Nelson’s Pursuit, and Sandy Island Race, open to sailors of all experience levels to foster broad participation. On the island’s West Coast, Jolly Harbour Yacht Club is adding an all-new One Design Elite regatta, which will serve as the Caribbean Championship ahead of the popular annual Jolly Harbour Valentines Regatta. Dinghy sailing, a year-round activity for local enthusiasts, will crown national champions at the pinnacle Budget Marine Optimist & ILCA National Championships, scheduled for April, which is expected to draw top young competitors from across the region.
Franklyn Braithwaite, President of ABYMA, emphasized the significance of the expanded calendar in cementing Antigua and Barbuda’s global leadership in the yachting industry. “From world-renowned offshore races to community-driven regattas, Antigua and Barbuda is cementing its place at the heart of the international sailing calendar,” Braithwaite said. “We invite sailors, spectators, and families from around the world to join us for an unforgettable year.”
ABYMA also extended its gratitude to Falmouth Harbour Marina, which has provided long-standing support to the association and the annual event calendar initiative for many years. Full event details, schedule information, and registration for the 2026-2027 season are available now on the official ABYMA website at www.abyma.ag.