The opening of The Ocean Race 2026 – A must see for yachting professionals
Dates: Summer 2026, (dates to be announced). A World Class Yacht Race The Start Volvo Ocean Race 2026 in Starting in Alicante, Spain and ending in New York is the start of one of the biggest yachting races in the world. The Ocean Race – the world’s toughest test of a team in sport and leading round the world sailing race – attracting some of the best sailing teams in the world, the most prestigious and competitive event on the yacht racing calendar, and a powerful opportunity for agents and travel industry professionals. Due to start in early 2026, the event will entertain audiences worldwide and present compelling opportunities for industry involvement.
The fantastic location - Alicante
Alicante: The Heart of the Start Alicante, a dynamic, attractive Mediterranean coastal city, which has developed an obsession for The Ocean Race, has been the home of the event since 2008. Modern infrastructure like the Alicante-Elche International Airport and effective tram system make access for overseas visitors a breeze. The city’s Ocean Live Park, a focal point in the first days of the race, provides hands-on experiences including team encounters, sustainability displays and live entertainment. For those in the travel industry, Alicante is a rarity these days – a delightfully accessible, culturally gripping destination, and the perfect vehicle to sell exclusive event travel.
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The race - details
The Race: A Show of Skill and Innovation The Start The Volvo Ocean Race 2026 will showcase two classes of boats: the high-tech, foiling IMOCA 60 and the one-design VO65. The IMOCA 60 — which is used to describe boats known for their customizable design and capability of “flying” above the water for periods of time — is of interest to tech-heads, and the VO65 emphasizes crew diversity and close racing. Teams will an up to nine legs, spanning some 45,000 nautical miles, taking in iconic points such as Cape Town and the Southern Ocean. This circumnavigation showcases the sailors’ skill and determination, the ultimate adventure for high-end travel markets.
Talking about business opportunities
Sustainability and Business Opportunities A key feature of The Ocean Race is sustainability, something that ties in with consumer movement towards green-friendly travel. The 2026 event will also include the Racing with Purpose program, which features onboard science projects that gather data on ocean health and drive renewable energy use. For agents and industry professionals, the emphasis translates into opportunities to sell packages tailored to sustainable travel, catering to the conscientious green traveler. The gender imbalance at the regatta is the subject of considerable attention, with the rules requiring mixed crews and weighting toward gender diversity; an unambiguous on-trend spectacle singing to modern values.
Attracting Clients with World-Class Experiences The Start Volvo Ocean Race 2026 — an event that circumnavigates the globe — is a unique opportunity for travel industry professionals to create exclusive experiences for clients, from VIP packages at Alicante’s Ocean Live Park to tailored itineraries highlighting stopover cities. In addition, the event widely broadcast worldwide and the array of media coverage that it attracts puts the spotlight on the travel products that are part of the channel. By tapping into the prestige of the race and the appeal of Alicante, businesses can develop unique and extraordinary travel packages for special interest, adventure-seeking and yachting enthusiasts.
Catalyst for Business Expansion The Start Volvo Ocean Race 2026 is a lot more than a race, it’s an innovation, sustainability and global reach platform. For agents and travel professionals in general, it is a chance to access a tournament that offers exciting competition as well as real environmental impact.” With Alicante as host and the international coverage associated with the race, the event provides a platform to develop client relationships and grow business in 2026.
For more information about the event visit this website.
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Disclaimer:
We have researched the dates of this event for you. However, before you plan and book, please always check with the event organiser directly to see if there have been any changes and if the event still takes place.
