On the eve of the start of Leg 1 in The Ocean Race 2022-23, race organisers announced that future editions of the round-the-world yacht race will take place every four years.
In a briefing to stakeholders, race chairman Richard Brisius confirmed the next around-the-world race would start from Alicante, Spain during the winter months of 2026-27, with the exact start date to be determined.
In addition, following the success of the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe last summer, the next event will be held late in the summer of 2025.
Both the around the world race and The Ocean Race Europe will continue on four-year cycles, organisers added.
“This is an important and exciting moment for The Ocean Race,” Brisius said. “We are on the eve of an historic around-the-world race starting [Sunday 15 January]. It is our first as The Ocean Race, the 14th edition in our history, and it comes as we celebrate our 50th anniversary year.
“On this occasion we understand that we are standing on the shoulders of all of those who have built this Race into the iconic event that it is today. From the Whitbread Round the World Race back in 1973, through 20 years of Volvo stewardship, to where we are today as The Ocean Race, the race has seen many changes.
Practice racing for the IMOCA fleet in Alicante on Tuesday 10 January | Credit: Sailing Energy/The Ocean Race
“But the core values remain: The Ocean Race is the toughest test of a team in sport and we believe in taking ever more increasing action to protect the health of the ocean, recognise the inherent rights of the ocean and listen to the voice of the ocean. This will never change.
“With that in mind, it is important that we provide certainty to all of our stakeholders, partners, teams and fans in terms of the future of the Race.
“Looking forward, we are confirming The Ocean Race Europe in Q3 of 2025 and we will be starting conversations with candidate stopover cities and other partners in the coming weeks. The next two editions of The Ocean Race around the world are confirmed to take place in 2026-27 and 2030-31."
In terms of boats, the IMOCAs, making their debut in The Ocean Race this year, will also be raced in The Ocean Race Europe in 2025 and The Ocean Race 2026-27 as well.
The award-winning Racing with Purpose sustainability programme, founded in collaboration with Premier Partner 11th Hour Racing, will continue as a fundamental element of The Ocean Race going forward.
Viewers in Ireland can catch all the action when Leg 1 begins live on Eurosport and discovery+, with the VO65 fleet start at 1pm GMT and the IMOCA fleet start at 3pm GMT. Positions for the fleet can be also followed from the start and throughout the race via the race tracker at theoceanrace.com.
