BUDGET MARINE

One of the most significant developments on the international yachting calendar for Antigua in 2026 is the arrival of the RORC Transatlantic Race, one of the world’s most respected offshore ocean races. For the first time, this legendary Atlantic crossing will finish in Antigua, marking a major milestone for the island’s position in global yacht racing.

The 12th edition of the race will start on Sunday 11 January 2026 from Marina Lanzarote in the Canary Islands and conclude in Antigua, bringing some of the most advanced offshore racing yachts and elite crews in the world across the Atlantic. In previous editions, the race finished in Grenada, making the switch to Antigua a noteworthy and strategic move that further elevates the island’s profile as a premier racing destination.

Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), the race forms part of the club’s prestigious Season Points Championship — the world’s largest offshore racing series. For 2026, this championship also includes iconic events such as the Rolex Middle Sea Race, the RORC Caribbean 600, the Round Britain & Ireland Race, and the Baltic Sea Race. Antigua is already a proven partner of RORC through its long-standing role as host of the RORC Caribbean 600, making this expansion a natural progression of that relationship.

The RORC Transatlantic Race is renowned not only for its scale but for the calibre of yachts and sailors it attracts. From cutting-edge MOD70 trimarans capable of sustaining speeds in excess of 35 knots, to fully crewed offshore racers pushing the limits of endurance, technology, and seamanship, the event represents the very pinnacle of modern ocean racing. Crews endure relentless motion, minimal rest, and extreme physical demands as they cross more than 3,000 nautical miles of open ocean.

The arrival of this race in Antigua reinforces the island’s growing reputation as the epicentre of Caribbean sailing and yacht racing. It underscores Antigua’s world-class marine infrastructure, race management capability, and enduring appeal to the international sailing community. For local businesses, marine services, and the wider tourism sector, the finish of the RORC Transatlantic Race promises global visibility, economic impact, and the chance to showcase Antigua at its very best.

As the yachts make their final landfall in Antigua in January 2026, the world’s sailing spotlight will once again be firmly fixed on the island — not just as a destination, but as a leader in the future of offshore racing.