Iconic Offshore Race to Celebrate 120 Years and 100 Years of Historic Partnership
Newport, RI (June 19, 2025)— The Bermuda Race Organizing Committee is proud to announce that entry opens Friday June 20, 2025 at 1300 EDT, for the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race, one year prior to the start on Friday June 19, 2026 at the same time. This upcoming edition will mark a historic milestone as the Race celebrates 120 years since its founding in 1906, and 100 years of partnership between the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club as co-organizers of the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race and one of the few international distance races held almost entirely out of sight of land.
“The Newport Bermuda Race is not only a test of seamanship and preparation—it’s a celebration of what makes offshore sailing so meaningful,” said Andrew Kallfelz, returning race chair. “2026 will be an opportunity to honor the race’s extraordinary history while continuing to innovate in how we engage sailors and spectators, from Bermuda, New England, and beyond.”
Once again, the race will start off Fort Adams State Park, a move first introduced in 2024 that transformed the launch of this legendary offshore race into a vibrant, public-facing celebration. Building on that success, the 2026 event will become the “Newport Bermuda Race Starting Line Festival”—turning up the volume to match Fort Adams’ legacy as the backdrop of Rhode Island’s most iconic summer festivals.
In 2024, the public enjoyed a front-row view of 162 boats—ranging from 30 to 100 feet—as they set out on the 636-nautical-mile ocean passage to Bermuda. Food trucks, bars, live music, exhibits, family activities, and expert commentary created a unique festival atmosphere that welcomed over 4,000 on-site visitors and over 25,000 online viewers. The Starting Line Festival is poised to become a beloved summer tradition in the sailing capital of the U.S.
Excitement is already building across the Atlantic, with international teams locking the Newport Bermuda Race into their 2026 racing calendars. Among them is the Swan 56 Azaha, based in Mallorca.
“Our team includes veterans who have sailed around the world and some younger guys who are high-level sailors,” said Hervé Grünig, speaking from Europe. “We’ll be coming up after the RORC 600 and are excited to take on this historic race.”
Closer to home, Hound, a top contender in 2024, is also back in the hunt. After narrowly missing the St. David’s Lighthouse Trophy due to a 30-minute penalty for being over early at the start, owner Dan Litchfield expressed his determination to return during the Race Prep Seminar Series this past spring. The team is currently taking part in the Transatlantic Race and plans to take on the Fastnet—all part of building momentum for the 2026 Bermuda Race.
With both international and domestic teams already planning their campaigns, the 2026 race is shaping up to be a truly world-class event.
Sailors and teams are encouraged to visit bermudarace.com to access the Notice of Race, review eligibility and safety requirements, and begin the entry process. A webinar was hosted earlier this week outlining the process and explaining some of the frequently asked questions.
This edition is expected to once again draw a wide spectrum of participants—from seasoned ocean racers to first-time offshore crews—competing across multiple divisions, including the St. David’s Lighthouse, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, Finisterre (cruising), and Open classes.
