Photos: Lexi Pline
Why This Is the Must-See Moment to Kick Off Newport Summer 2026
A Centennial Celebration: 2026 marks 100 years of partnership between Cruising Club of America and Royal Bermuda Yacht Club co-organizing one of the largest and oldest international sailing events in the world.
The Best Seat on the East Coast: Watch 150+ boats launch on a biennial 636-mile journey from Fort Adams, a natural amphitheater framed by the Newport Bridge and iconic lighthouses.
America’s Sailing Capital: Newport, RI is a captivating blend of coastal charm, walkable streets, and rich maritime heritage, creating a vibrant waterfront for a perfect summer escape.
Storytelling & New Perspectives: Live commentary and a big screen will bring the action and stories from the water to the shoreline so you can follow and enjoy every moment.
A Friday Afternoon Playtime and Party: As the first official day of summer for most local schools, enjoy food trucks, bars, live music, a kids’ zone with activities, shopping, and exhibits from local partners.
The Fast-Growing Summer Tradition: In 2024, the first year of the new starting party, 4,000 spectators attended in person and over 12,000 joined online. 2026 is expected to be even bigger!
The Starting Line Festival is free and open to the public from 11:00 AM–4:00 PM, but please register on Eventbrite for planning purposes and to get it on your calendar.
How to Get to Fort Adams
We encourage you to carpool, bike, or take available ferry services as the parking lot is expected to fill up quickly.
By Bike
Address: 72 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI 02840
Bike parking will be available on site with racks thanks to Bike Newport.
Help us decrease traffic, carbon emissions, and parking stress for you and the whole community.
Visit Bike Newport for resources on parking, routes, and more.
By Sea
Seastreak Ferry from Providence
- Leaves Providence: 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM
- Leaves Newport: 6:30 PM, 9:20 PM
- Bikes travel for free.
Hop on and off at any stop, all day long. Family-friendly, scenic, affordable, and wheelchair accessible.
- $18 ride all day
- $6 children under 12
- Channel 68 on VHF or call 401-847-9109 to hail
- Leaves Jamestown: 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM
- Leaves Fort Adams: 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM
- $34 all day / $22 children
By Car
Address: 72 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI 02840
Parking is free, and our parking team will direct you where to park.
Uber and Lyft are widely available in the area, with drop-off and pick-up available in a reserved space just feet from the event entrance.
Schedule of Events
- 11:00 AM — Festival Opens
- 11:00 AM–12:45 PM — Live Music from RikiRocksteady All Stars
- 11:00 AM–3:00 PM — Food Trucks Open
- 11:30 AM–4:30 PM — Beer Garden Open featuring Whalers Beer & Goslings Rum
Beer garden is 21+ to drink, but anyone under 21 may enter if accompanied by an adult.
All-Day Activities
11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Exhibits & Partner Tents
- Cruising Club of America
- Ørsted
- Sailors for the Sea
- Panexplore
- Tasca Cars
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Sail Beyond Cancer
- Ocean State Sensing
- Cay Electronics
- Southcoast Health
Kid Zone
- Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation games and activities
- Ørsted wind turbine toy building
- Rhode Island FC
Shopping
Official Newport Bermuda Race gear from Team One Newport and Helly Hansen.
Live Race Coverage
- 12:45 PM — Starting Line Live Show Presented by Ørsted begins, with live commentary and race coverage on the big screen throughout Fort Adams.
Race Starts
- 1:00 PM — First Warning Signal: Newport Artillery cannon fires to begin the countdown.
- 1:10 PM — First Start: First class crosses the line for Bermuda.
- Every 10 Minutes — Additional classes start.
- 3:30 PM — Entire fleet officially underway to Bermuda.
Food trucks, bars, and festival activities continue through 4:30 PM.
More on the Starting Line Festival
Can’t Make It in Person?
Tune into youtube.com/bermudarace for the Starting Line Live Show presented by Ørsted, then follow along daily for the Gulf Stream Show powered by Palm Beach Motor Yachts.
