Image: © From on board Fujitsu British Soldier during the 2022 Round Britain & Ireland Race
50th Anniversary - Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the Royal Yacht Squadron
In just over two weeks, a fleet of 33 boats will set off on one of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s toughest offshore challenges. The 2026 Round Britain and Ireland Race celebrates its golden jubilee, marking the 50th anniversary of the race.
The 1,805nm non-stop circumnavigation will start from Cowes, Isle of Wight on Sunday 9 August, with the first warning signal at 1320 BST off the RYS Line. Boats and crews representing 12 nations will head east after the start before taking on the full challenge of racing around Britain and Ireland, navigating some of the most demanding waters in offshore sailing.
A RACE LIKE NO OTHER…
1 epic non-stop race
1,805 nautical miles
150+ competitors from 12 countries
33 entries from around the world
18 years – youngest crew
79 years - oldest crew member
10 x Two-Handed teams
6 x Sun Fast 3600s
4 x Class40s
1 x test of preparation, mental and physical strength,
seamanship and resilience
1 long test of endurance
1 major achievement
50th Anniversary
HOW TO FOLLOW THE RACE
RACE WEBSITE: http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/
Catch up on what’s happening on the racecourse:
Tracker, Live blog, Video, News, Race Reports, Images,
Virtual regatta, and more…
LIVE BLOG ON THE EVENT WEBSITE:
https://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/live
Blogs from crew, images and video from the teams.
Capturing life on board and scenery as crews make their
way around the course.
TRACKING:
All boats are equipped with YB trackers. Track the fleet
or your personal favourites, including live leaderboards
and social media. This will be available before the start
of the race on the event website:
http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/competitors/race
-documents/fleet-tracking
Or: Download the YB Races App for Android or iPhone.
SOCIAL MEDIA & VIDEO:
Official hashtags: #RBIR #RORCRacing
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/rorcracing
Facebook: www.facebook.com/royaloceanracingclub
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rorcracing
X: www.X.com/rorcacing
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@rorcracing
LinkedIn -
www.linkedin.com/company/royaloceanracingclub
PLAY THE GAME - VIRTUAL RACE:
Not out on the racecourse? No problem. You can
challenge the fleet as an armchair sailor by playing the
official Round Britain and Ireland Race game on Virtual
Regatta (sign up from 31 July). Link via race website:
http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/
SCHUEDLE OF EVENTS:
23 Jul – Closing Date/Rating Deadline
5 Aug - Registration opens, RORC Cowes Clubhouse
8 Aug - 1700 Skippers Briefing, RORC Cowes Clubhouse
9 Aug – 1320 BST First Warning Signal
START:
Start time: First warning signal – 1320 BST, RYS.
The fleet will head east from Cowes.
A FEW FACTS & STATS: • The 2026 edition marks the 50th anniversary of the RORC Round Britain & Ireland Race • Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), in association with the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) • Open to monohulls and multihulls racing under IRC, MOCRA and Class40 rules • One of the world's toughest offshore races, attracting both professional sailors and highly accomplished Corinthian teams • Boats range from 9.99m to 21.5m in length • The fleet includes yachts built between 1970 and 2025, highlighting the diversity of designs competing • Every crew must meet strict qualification requirements, demonstrating extensive offshore racing experience before being accepted • Success depends on meticulous preparation, teamwork, seamanship and navigation as much as outright speed • The course takes competitors through some of the most remote and demanding waters around Britain and Ireland, where changing weather, strong tides and complex navigation continually test crews
• The Round Britain and Ireland Race is not a race for novices. Every competitor must have experience of sailing a boat offshore and be prepared to
encounter heavy weather
• The fleet features experienced RORC campaigners, family and friends racing as Corinthian teams, and a number of internationally recognised professional sailors
• The race takes months of planning and preparation – and that’s just to get to the start line!
Click here to view current entries
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