The ClubSwan Season is on

Swan Bonifacio Challenge © ClubSwan Racing / Studio Borlenghi

The 2026 edition of The Nations League opens this week with the Swan Bonifacio Challenge and the USA League Event 2 in Pensacola, marking the beginning of a new and highly anticipated sailing season for the ClubSwan community.

Across these opening events, 35 one-design yachts across four classes will take to the water. The season will unfold between Europe and the United States, culminating in September with the Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo, the flagship event of the ClubSwan calendar.

This year carries particular significance as it marks the 60th anniversary of Nautor Swan, a milestone celebrating six decades of craftsmanship, innovation, and a distinctive philosophy of sailing. More than a yacht brand, Swan embodies a way of life, rooted in togetherness, performance, and a shared passion for the sea.

Within this philosophy, ClubSwan presents a season defined by three interconnected souls: ClubSwan Racing, dedicated to One Design competition, ClubSwan Legacy, uniting historic Swan yachts designed by Sparkman & Stephens, Ron Holland, and Swan Classics by Frers and ClubSwan Spirit, bringing together modern Swan owners who share a passion for adventure and cruising performance within a competitive framework.

Luisa Bambozzi, Managing Director of ClubSwan, commented:

"This will be an important season for the ClubSwan community, which continues to grow and evolve, always centred on celebrating our passionate owners and sailors while welcoming those who are not exclusively focused on competitive racing. We begin in Bonifacio, with its extraordinary scenery, and we are shaping a season rich in memorable moments, both on and off the water."

The Swan Bonifacio Challenge marks the opening chapter of the 2026 Nations League.

Racing will begin with the ClubSwan 28 class, followed by the full ClubSwan one-design fleet. Hosted for the third consecutive year in the iconic port of Bonifacio, the event will unfold across two race areas, set against one of the most dramatic backdrops in the Mediterranean.

At the same time, a growing fleet of ClubSwan 28 yachts will launch the American season in Pensacola, Florida.

In total, 35 yachts across four classes will compete:

• 12 ClubSwan 28
• 7 ClubSwan 42
• 6 ClubSwan 36
• 10 ClubSwan 50

The fleet also welcomes three new entries, including Marlin 3 in the ClubSwan 50 class and two ClubSwan 36 yachts in collaboration with The Magenta Project.

The initiative with The Magenta Project, part of the ClubSwan Academy, will promote women in elite sailing through a three-boat programme across EU and US Nations League events, including a ClubSwan 28 in Pensacola, USA.

The Magenta Project called on the experience of a panel of professional female sailors — including Abby Ehler, Sara Stone, Josie Gliddon, and Annie Lush — to support the selection process for the ClubSwan36 team. The ambition of this new programme is to build a team based on emerging female talent to compete at the highest level.

The Yacht Club de Bonifacio and the city itself stand at the heart of the opening event, delivering a world-class stage both on and off the water.

Michel Mallaroni, President of the Yacht Club de Bonifacio, said: "The admiration for the ClubSwan world has led me this year not only to organize the event with the municipality but also to participate personally with the ClubSwan 28 Team Corse powered by Denza."

As tradition dictates, racing will be accompanied by a curated social programme, reinforcing the distinctive lifestyle dimension of ClubSwan events.

DENZA, premium automotive brand, will showcase the Z9 GT EV, a model that embodies a seamless blend of design excellence, performance, and sustainability.

Find out more at www.nautorswan.com/regattas/2026/04/swan-bonifacio-challenge-2026

The Season Ahead

The 2026 calendar unfolds through a series of defining moments:

• The Swan Heritage Reunion 2026 will take place from 19-21 June on the island of Capraia, Tuscany, celebrating classic Swans designed by Sparkman & Stephens, Ron Holland, and Frers yachts up to 1999, combining heritage racing and exclusive gatherings.

• In September, the Rolex Swan Cup returns to Porto Cervo for its 23rd edition, marking a milestone year as Nautor Swan celebrates its 60th anniversary. Organised in collaboration with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Rolex, it remains one of the most prestigious regattas on the international sailing calendar.

• The ClubSwan 50 World Championship 2026 will take place in Naples, Italy, from 27-31 October, on waters that will host the America's Cup in 2027.

• The growing ClubSwan 28 Gold Cup will bring together European and American teams in Fort Lauderdale from 10-14 November.

  Thanks to the continued support of its long-standing partners—Rolex, Official Timepiece and partner for over 40 years; Denza, Official Automotive Partner; Henri Lloyd, Official Sportswear Partner, and Banor, Wealth & Asset Management—alongside new partners joining this season, the Swan universe continues to evolve.

  A season defined by performance, elegance, and shared experience, where racing and lifestyle exist as one, and every event becomes part of a larger story at sea.