The Bermuda Race’s streamlined entry system, introduced in 2024, guides participants through all required tasks and checklists to meet race requirements. Competitors from 2024 can log in using their existing accounts. New entrants will need to create an account and follow the steps outlined below.
Skippers and owners may enter the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race starting June 19, 2025, at 1300 EDT. A 50% deposit is required to initiate entry. Fees are based on LOA, division, and entry date—early entries benefit from lower rates. The entry deadline is April 7, 2026.
For full details, refer to Notice of Race (NOR) - which will be published early June 2025.
If you did not sail in 2024 or you have a new boat for 2026, in the
Race Entry Portal:
Entry opens June 19, 2025, and closes April 6, 2026.
To enter:
To complete your entry, you must invite a Reserve Person In Charge (RPIC)—they must accept the invitation and create an account. Other crew can be invited and added later, up until the Crew Deadline.
To invite crew:
You may invite crew at any time after setting up your account as a Skipper or Entry Manager.
Once your boat entry is initiated and crew members have accepted your invitations, you can build your official Race Crew List.
To assign crew:
Additional crew can be added at any time before the Crew Deadline.
All entrants—regardless of past race experience—must complete the Offshore Experience Form (OEF). This includes details for both the Person-In-Charge (PIC) and Reserve PIC (RPIC), which will be reviewed by the Qualifications Committee.
After review, you’ll receive either:
Important:
The OEF and full entry fee payment are due no later than April 7, 2026. You must receive an official invitation to be eligible to race.
To complete the OEF:
To be eligible to race, all required tasks must be completed by the deadlines outlined in the Notice of Race (NOR).
Be sure to check both regularly and complete all items by the posted deadlines. Additional guidance is provided in the remaining steps of this guide.
All boats must complete a pre-race inspection to verify compliance with safety and equipment standards.
Before your inspection:
To log your inspection:
Details and registration links will be available in Late 2025
To meet Newport Bermuda Race requirements:
To upload certificates:
All yachts must have a valid ORR rating certificate to compete. Captains are responsible for arranging measurement and initiating the rating process.
Key Deadlines:
To get started:
For questions, contact the US Sailing Offshore Office, which can assist with rating requirements and timelines.
Most divisions limit the number of non-Group 1 sailors (i.e., professionals), so all crew must have a valid World Sailing Sailor Categorization.
To log a Categorization:
Visit the World Sailing website for full instructions to apply.
There are many Special Entry Prizes are open to qualified participants, and an additional prize is exclusively for CCA Member Skippers.
To be considered, you must complete the Special Awards Registration Checklist found in the Entry System under Checklists.
Available Special Entry Prizes: See qualification details for each page on the portal.
Be sure to complete your Special Entry checklist before 0900 on June 19, 2026 to be considered.
All entrants must register in person at Race Headquarters, located at Sail Newport, before 1600 on June 17, 2026.
Key Details:
The Captain’s Meeting will be broadcast virtually on YouTube.com/BermudaRace and the Race Website. It will cover essential topics including:
Note: Questions will not be taken live—please submit them in writing for review by the Race Committee or Jury.
A separate Weather & Gulf Stream Briefing will follow, also streamed live. During this session, PICs and Navigators may submit questions via the chat.
The first gun is scheduled for 1300—we’ll see you on the line!
The start will be live streamed on BermudaRace.com, so be sure to tell your family and friends to tune in and cheer you on! Or if they can come down to Fort Adams to join the Starting Line Party! There will be music, commentary, food trucks, and more!
Talk to a Race Ambassador who has done it before