2026 Antigua Bermuda Race returns, drawing fleet to SailGP Bermuda

by Antigua Bermuda Race 27 Oct 14:15 GMT April 27 - May 7, 2026

Antigua Bermuda Race © Tobias Stoerkle Photographer / www.sailing-photography.com

After a two-year pause, the fifth edition of the Antigua Bermuda Race sets sail from Antigua on April 29, 2026. Timed just after Antigua Sailing Week and ahead of SailGP Bermuda on May 9-10, the race promises a perfect chance to revive excitement for the western Atlantic's longest ocean challenge.

Spanning 935 nautical miles, the race is run by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in partnership with Antigua Sailing Week, with support from the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Goslings Rum, and Fairhaven Shipyard. Open to a wide range of yachts and crews, it pairs high-seas competition with legendary parties in Antigua and Bermuda.

Once the fleet clears Antigua, it will pass Barbuda and head into open waters, out of sight of land until the finish line in Bermuda. Roughly 1,000 miles of tropical Atlantic sailing lie ahead, offering true blue-water adventure: long reaching legs, rolling ocean swells, and nights beneath a dazzling, unbroken starry sky. For sailors, it's more than a race - it's a journey into the heart of the Atlantic.

Canadian Pogo 12.50 Hermes II raced in two previous editions of the Antigua Bermuda Race. Meg Reilley was quoted in 2022: "Every year I look forward to the Antigua Bermuda Race and I think Hermes does too. She gets to stretch out her legs and surf some real ocean waves.

"The first few days of the race can be a sleigh ride. Reaching in the tradewinds, Hermes effortlessly coasts between waves, impressing her crew as she holds double-digit speeds so gracefully. With the perfect sail plan and trim, she drives herself; and all you need to do is just sit back and enjoy the ride."

Antigua Bermuda Race - photo © Tobias Stoerkle Photographer / www.sailing-photography.com

The 935nm oceanic offshore race is open to IRC and CSA Racing Yachts, Cruiser Racers, Super Yachts, and Multihulls. Classic yachts and double-handed teams have their own category, and a secondary motor sailing handicap in the CSA Classes allows yachts to use their engines and still get a result, subject to a time penalty. The Antigua Bermuda Race is governed by CAT 1 World Sailing Offshore Safety Requirements, with additional requirements for offshore communications.

"The Antigua Bermuda Race is timed to coincide with the end of Antigua Sailing Week (22-26 April 2026) when many yachts are planning to sail north back to North America or east from Bermuda across the Atlantic Ocean," says Race Chair/Past Commodore Les Crane. "The origin of the modern Antigua Bermuda Race was as a feeder race for the 2017 America's Cup, however, the course from Antigua to Bermuda is a long-established route for oceanic yachts. With the high current ocean freight rates, the Antigua Bermuda Race offers a great option to take your boat north out of the Caribbean in a safe, economic and highly enjoyable way.

"Over the previous four editions of the race, conditions have ranged from the thrill of surfing down Atlantic rollers at full speed, to glassy calms where tactics and strategy come to the fore. The Antigua Bermuda Race delivers a transatlantic experience without the time and logistics required to cross the great ocean."

Antigua Bermuda Race - photo © Tobias Stoerkle Photographer / www.sailing-photography.com

The 2026 Notice of Race has now been released.

The 2023 Sailing Instructions remain posted for reference. The entry platform will open on November 15. For those thinking of joining, please complete the online survey of interest.

Whole boat Race Charters with an owner's rep should be available, as well as Race Charter boats offering individual crew places on a competing boat - a great way to experience the event and meet new people.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club looks forward to welcoming you to Bermuda!

Race Info at antiguabermuda.com/race-info

Anticipated Calendar 2026: