The Inaugural Antigua Racing Cup Arrives in 2026
Scheduled to debut from April 9–12, 2026, the Antigua Racing Cup represents a bold vision. It’s where the spirit of pure, unadulterated competition and professional race management converges with the vibrant energy of Antigua’s sailing community and the island’s world-famous hospitality. This isn’t just another regatta; it’s a dedicated commitment to the core racing sailor.
A Strategic Vision for a Premier Sailing Destination In a strategic move to cement Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation as the marquee destination for Caribbean sailing, the Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the National Parks Authority and a coalition of local marine stakeholders, is launching this innovative event. The Antigua Racing Cup is designed to build directly upon the legendary foundation of Antigua Sailing Week, creating a powerful, month-long focus on the sport that extends the island’s sailing season and appeal.
By confidently steering into the wind, the ARC is crafted to complement its iconic predecessor while decisively carving out its own unique identity as a “sailors-first” regatta focused on high-level performance.
The Antigua Racing Cup Experience: Competition, Camaraderie, and Culture
Positioned off Antigua’s spectacular south coast, with the historic Nelson’s Dockyard serving as both the operational base and social heart of the event, the ARC promises an unparalleled experience.
Key Features of the Antigua Racing Cup:
A Racing-Centric Format, Pure and Simple: The ARC is meticulously designed around the explicit needs of dedicated racing sailors. Every element—from the challenging course configurations and optimised scheduling to the world-class race management—is fine-tuned for performance, fairness, and competitive integrity. The South Coast’s Natural Amphitheater: Antigua’s south coast provides a stunning and strategic racetrack. Known for its reliable and steady trade winds, combined with dramatic coastal seascapes, it creates the perfect natural arena for intense, tactical duels.
Nelson’s Dockyard:
A UNESCO World Heritage Hub: This iconic location doubles as the vibrant Regatta Village. It offers teams a historic and breathtaking setting for all logistics, fostering camaraderie and serving as the backdrop for unforgettable post-race celebrations. Social Energy Meets Maritime Heritage: While the on-water action is the priority, the ARC understands the social soul of sailing. The Dockyard ensures this spirit thrives with lively gatherings, prestigious prize-givings, and cultural showcases that authentically highlight Antigua’s rich maritime heritage.
Why the Antigua Racing Cup is a Game-Changer for Caribbean Sailing
The significance of this new regatta extends across the entire sailing ecosystem: For Competitive Sailors: This is a rare opportunity to compete in an event designed entirely around their passion. It promises challenging courses, top-tier race management, and a community of like-minded individuals. For Antigua & Barbuda: The ARC powerfully strengthens the nation’s identity not just as a scenic cruising ground, but as a serious, premier destination for international-level yacht racing. For the Caribbean Region: It adds crucial depth and prestige to the spring racing calendar, ensuring Antigua remains the undeniable central hub for the world’s best sailors and most advanced yachts.
Designed from the Water Up: The ARC Racing Format
The Antigua Racing Cup is engineered to deliver pure competition across multiple disciplines. For monohulls, racing will be scored under both CSA and IRC rules, seamlessly managed via Nautical Cloud regatta software. This dual-scoring approach ensures a level playing field for both regional and international competitors, providing almost immediate results and comprehensive fairness. The on-water experience is equally refined. Maxis and powerful offshore multihulls will have the opportunity to stretch their legs on longer, more expansive racetracks that test speed and endurance across a wide range of wind angles. Simultaneously, smaller boats will engage in tight, tactical battles with a mix of windward/leeward and reaching leg courses that demand strategic brilliance.
Adding a layer of precision competition, dedicated One-Design divisions will be featured, including the RS Elite and Petticrow Dragon fleets, with the potential for high-performance Diam trimarans. This brings the purest form of yacht racing—where boat-for-boat tactics reign supreme—to Antigua’s ideal trade wind conditions.
Antigua: The Undisputed Beating Heart of Caribbean Sailing
With the introduction of the Antigua Racing Cup, the island further solidifies its status as the beating heart of the Caribbean sailing world. From the epic ocean-going challenge of the RORC Caribbean 600 to the timeless elegance of Antigua Classics and the world-renowned spectacle of Antigua Sailing Week, the island is synonymous with phenomenal racing conditions, warm, genuine hospitality, and an unwavering passion for the sea. The ARC is the next exciting chapter in this storied maritime legacy.