Antiparos welcomes back the Cyclades Cup
by Zoe Cox 6 Jun 14:32 BST
10-13 June 2026
Cyclades Cup 2025 © StudioILLUME
The Cyclades Cup returns to Antiparos next week for its third edition, once again assembling an exquisite fleet of the world's most distinctive sailing yachts against one of the Aegean's most quietly refined backdrops.
Long favoured by an international set seeking a quieter, more authentic side of the Cyclades, Antiparos offers a rare moment of calm. From 10-13 June 2026, this tranquil setting will briefly give way to the arrival of an invitation-only fleet, as the Cyclades Cup unfolds across its crystalline waters.
Organised in partnership with the Yacht Club of Greece, and limited to 25 yachts, the regatta has established itself as one of the most sought-after private events on the international superyacht calendar. Its distinctive format brings together a curated group of owners - many of whom return year after year - balancing competitive racing with an easy, enduring camaraderie.
On The Water
The rhythm of the regatta is set by the Meltemi. A steady, reliable wind fills the sails as the fleet threads between Antiparos and Paros, skimming past uninhabited islets and open stretches of shimmering emerald and cobalt. It is here that the Cyclades Cup earns its reputation for what owners often describe as "sublime sailing".
On the start line will be a carefully balanced fleet that combines statement with subtlety. The unmistakable INOUI, with its lime green hull and pink detailing, is expected to sail alongside more understated icons such as the multi-award-winning 43-metre MARI-CHA III. A notable Wally presence is also anticipated, including the latest wallywind110 GALMA, as well as celebrated Vitters builds such as LA BELLE. Entries such as TAWERA, arriving from as far afield as New Zealand to attend, underscore the regatta's global reach.
"It's one of the few regattas where you feel the difference immediately," said Tracy Mahoney, owner of TAWERA. "The racing is excellent, but it's the overall atmosphere - the people, the setting, the way everything is brought together - that makes you want to come back."
Celebrations Ashore
As the fleet returns to harbour, the tempo shifts. Evenings unfold slowly, shaped by a carefully considered social programme designed to reflect the spirit of the islands.
The regatta will open with a sunset gathering hosted in partnership with SEASE - the Italian lifestyle brand founded by Giacomo and Franco Loro Piana - and AMAALA Residences. As the sun slips below the horizon, guests will come together over Whispering Angel to mark the beginning of the week's celebrations.
On the second evening, guests will dine within a private, family-owned olive grove just beyond Antiparos town. Hosted in collaboration with IYC - The International Yacht Company and Jetcraft, the setting offers an intimate backdrop for a dinner shaped as much by place as by the sense of occasion.
The hotly contested Pantaenius SUP race returns for a second year, bringing a different energy to the programme. Crews from across the fleet compete head-to-head on the water while owners and guests gather on the beach to cheer them on, as a BBQ and drinks accompany the racing.
A defining moment of the regatta is a private visit to the ancient site of Despotiko, arranged in partnership with the Cycladic Identity Initiative. Closed to the public, the site is opened exclusively for Cyclades Cup participants, with guided access led by its lead archaeologist - an experience few encounter.
Platinum Partner UBS will sponsor the final day of racing, with their partnership extending through to the closing awards ceremony and BBQ in the island's primary schoolyard, where owners, guests and crew gather alongside the local community for a final evening that brings the week to a close. Defined by long shared tables, Greek hospitality and La Scola flowing into the early hours, the closing celebration captures the essence of the Cyclades Cup.
The spirit of the Cyclades Cup
Founded by Ilia Rigas, owner of the sailing yacht ALMYRA II and a judge at the World Superyacht Awards, the regatta continues to reflect an owner-led ethos, placing equal importance on racing excellence and the broader experience.
"It's about creating something that feels complete - strong sailing, time with people you care about, and a genuine connection to the culture here," said Rigas. "That combination is what defines the Cyclades Cup, and it's something we are very careful to protect."
As the Cyclades Cup enters its third edition, it continues to define its place within the luxury yachting calendar: not simply as a regatta, but something rarer. A gathering shaped by place, and by those who return to it.
Find out more: www.cyclades-cup.com and www.instagram.com/cycladescup