Embarking on a Virtual Voyage: Launch of the Official Offshore Virtual Championships 2026 by IMOCA

The official virtual offshore racing championships of 2026 season have been launched by IMOCA and Virtual Regatta, as part of their ongoing partnership. This activity is all set to bring real and virtual offshore racing even closer together. A shared ambition fuels this collaboration, making offshore racing accessible to more people and enabling sailing enthusiasts, gamers, and navigation fans to participate in the major races on the IMOCA Globe Series calendar virtually.

The partnership introduced the IMOCA Virtual Series, the official virtual offshore racing championship of the IMOCA Class in 2022. Hosted on the Virtual Regatta Offshore platform, it enables players from around the world to virtually participate in the meaningful races on the IMOCA calendar. The championship has already seen the participation of more than a million unique players. Furthermore, the number of finishers was multiplied by six over two seasons.

The 2026 IMOCA Virtual Series season will follow the highlights of the IMOCA calendar, with several significant races being carried out simultaneously in both real and virtual format. The program schedule includes the 1000 Race, Vendée Arctique - Les Sables d’Olonne, The Ocean Race Atlantic, Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération, and Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe. The calendar will also be enhanced by exclusively virtual races, giving players more opportunities to compete.

The end of the championship will see the recognition of the top players, with the title of 2026 IMOCA Virtual Series Champion at stake — an accolade that has now garnered recognition within the eSailing ecosystem.