Rum, Race, and Glory: Ninety-Nine Years of the Bacardi Cup

First staged in Havana, Cuba in 1927, the event was born out of sunshine, sailing, and Bacardi’s desire to blend sport with social connection. It’s been hosted in Miami since 1962, but the spirit—pun fully intended—remains true to its Caribbean roots: warm water, warm people, and razor-sharp racing.

This is Star Class country, and don’t let the elegant lines of those two-man keelboats fool you—the competition is fierce. Year after year, the world’s sailing elite converge on Biscayne Bay: America’s Cup legends, Olympic medallists, Volvo Ocean Race heroes, and world champions all line up alongside die-hard amateurs and weekend warriors. It’s that rare, magic mix where a Corinthian crew can cross tacks with Olympic royalty—and maybe even beat them to the top mark.

More Than Just a Trophy

Winning the Bacardi Cup isn’t just about lifting silverware. The Bacardi Cup (for the helm) and Tito Bacardi Cup (for the crew) are among the most coveted awards in one-design sailing. They represent mastery of the Star Class, stamina over a demanding week-long series, and a place in the annals of one of sailing’s most prestigious traditions. The Bacardi Cup isn’t just a regatta—it’s a rite of passage.

And make no mistake: the level of racing is brutal. Biscayne Bay offers a challenging cocktail of flat water, building sea breeze, and tricky shifts off the shoreline. With a week-long format and no discard, there’s no room for error. Blow one race and you’re out of contention. Nail a consistent set and you’re in with a shout—but only if you can handle the pressure.

Enter the Invitational

As the Bacardi Cup grew in popularity and prestige, a natural evolution occurred. Other high-performance fleets wanted in on the action. And so the Bacardi Invitational Regatta was born.

Now running alongside the Star Class each March, the Bacardi Invitational offers racing for J/70s, Melges 24s, VX-Ones, and Viper 640s. It’s fast, fun, and fiercely contested. With classes drawn from North America, Europe, and South America, the event has become one of the most international in the sport. The starting lines are thick with rock star tacticians, top-tier amateur helms, and boats bristling with talent.

But it’s not just about who wins. The beauty of the Bacardi Invitational is its atmosphere. There’s a relaxed camaraderie ashore, backed by seriously slick event management and world-class race committees on the water. And then there’s the post-race socials—open bars, Havana-style live music, impromptu dock parties, and endless tales of glory and disaster. The regatta has mastered the formula: world-class competition with a warm, rum-fuelled soul.

The Biscayne Advantage

It’s hard to overstate just how good the conditions are. Biscayne Bay is a natural amphitheatre for racing: clear water, reliable sea breeze, and wide-open space without open ocean brutality. It’s a bucket-list racecourse for a reason. Sailors love it not just for its beauty, but for the fair but tactical racing it produces.

Add to that the support of Miami’s yacht club scene and you’ve got something pretty special. The Coral Reef Yacht Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Shake a Leg Miami, and the US Sailing Center all throw open their doors and lend their facilities, giving the regatta a real sense of community. It’s a regatta where the city gets involved, and sailors from all over the world are treated like old friends.

Go and Sail

There’s a reason sailors keep coming back. Whether you’re gunning for the podium or just happy to be on the start line, the Bacardi Cup and Bacardi Invitational Regatta are bucket-list events for good reason. You’ll race hard, laugh harder, and leave with more than just a suntan—you’ll leave with stories, friends, and maybe even a little hardware if the wind gods are kind.

So, mark your calendars. The 2026 Bacardi Invitational Regatta runs March 1–7, and promises all the thrills, breeze, and Bacardi-fuelled socials you can handle. Sail a Star, a J/70, or something in between—just don’t miss it.

Because at the Bacardi Cup, the race ends at the finish line—but the regatta never really stops.