Entries open for Festival of Sails 2027

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong Passage Race at the Festival of Sails 2026 © Salty Dingo

Entries are now open for Festival of Sails 2027. Returning to Geelong from 22 to 26 January 2027, Australia's oldest continuous sporting event will feature an expanded championship line-up and new initiatives designed to make the Festival more accessible, welcoming and enjoyable for competitors.

Headlining the 2027 program is the addition of the Australian Yachting Championship, hosted in partnership with Australian Sailing and Sandringham Yacht Club, alongside the Australian Sports Boat Association National Championship and the S80 Victorian Championship.

"We're incredibly proud to welcome the Australian Yachting Championship to Geelong next year," says Festival of Sails Chair, Chris Manton.

"It's a tremendous endorsement of the quality of racing on Corio Bay, along with the dedication of our volunteers, officials and race management team."

The five-day racing program will begin on 22 January with the Australian Yachting Championship at Sandringham Yacht Club, before the iconic Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race brings the fleet into Geelong the following day.

Hosted by Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Festival of Sails continues to attract hundreds of yachts and thousands of sailors from across Australia and overseas, showcasing Geelong as one of Australia's premier sailing destinations.

For 2027, organisers have listened closely to competitor feedback, introducing a range of new initiatives designed to make the Festival experience even better from arrival through to presentations.

The Sailors Lounge and bar inside the Victorian Sailing Centre will provide an exclusive space for skippers and crew to relax after racing while overlooking the Regatta Village and Main Stage. Every registered skipper and crew member will also receive a new environmentally friendly Festival wristband, providing seamless access to the Festival site and Sailors Lounge throughout the event.

Competitors will benefit from a dedicated marine exhibition showcasing leading marine brands and services, official Festival apparel featuring customisable boat or crew names, and convenient pre-ordered grab-and-go lunch packs designed to make race mornings even easier.

"We've listened carefully to competitor feedback and introduced a range of improvements for 2027," Manton says.

"Whether it's the new Sailors Lounge, customised official apparel, or grab-and-go lunch packs, it's all about making the Festival experience even better for skippers and crew."

Off the water, sailors can once again look forward to everything that has made Festival of Sails one of Australia's favourite regattas, including three nights of live entertainment, waterfront food and beverage options, and the popular SheSails Women on Water Breakfast, presented by Diana Taylor Legal Consulting.

"We want competitors to leave Geelong remembering not just the racing, but the entire experience."

"It's shaping up to be another outstanding championship year for the Festival of Sails."

Now celebrating its 184th year, the Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race has been bringing sailors together on Corio Bay since 1844. Today it remains Australia's oldest continuous sporting event, combining world-class racing with one of Australia's most vibrant waterfront festivals.

Festival of Sails 2027 is proudly brought to life with the support of the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria, the City of Greater Geelong, presenting partner TLC Healthcare, and Australian Sailing.

Competitor entries are now open with the Notice of Race released today.

More information at festivalofsails.com.au