(St. John’s Antigua; July 21, 2025) – The Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism, Civil
Aviation, Transportation and Investment is pleased to announce that a new vision for
yachting in Antigua and Barbuda is beginning to take shape, building on the long- established brand of Antigua Sailing Week and the twin-island’s proud maritime traditions.
“The Ministry of Tourism in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders is pleased to
announce the launch of The Antigua Racing Cup, a bold new addition to Antigua’s
yachting calendar that will take place from April 9 – 12, 2026 kicking off a month of exciting
sailing events”.
The Antigua Racing Cup is an event for racing purists – those who prefer high-energy,
coastal racing with a fast-paced schedule and a focus on spirited competition. The event
will feature 4 days of exhilarating races in conditions envied by most – balmy
temperatures, trade winds, big seas at very short distances from shore. Strategically
placed in the calendar to allow teams to compete and then head off to their summer
events, racers can expect finely tuned variations of the exhilarating courses they would
usually associate with sailing conditions along Antigua’s spectacular southern coast, and
spectators will still enjoy the breathtaking views from land, sea, or air.
Onshore, English Harbour will continue to buzz with energy, and the social calendar will
certainly remain packed. Local vendors and artisans will be there to excite every appetite
not to mention the bars, restaurants, and beach venues in & around English Harbor. All
enthused to host nightly events, including live music, themed parties, and cultural
celebrations that highlight the best of Antiguan hospitality.
In contrast, Antigua Sailing Week, which will take place from April 22 to 26, 2026, makes
a return to its traditional point-to-point courses, as each day’s sailing will conclude at a
different scenic destination. Sailors will enjoy vibrant after-race socials infused with local
culture. ASW will entertain a mix of boat types and crews, and is tailored to cruisers, rallystyle participants and bareboat charter groups. Courses will be point to point for ralliers,
and for those who want to compete, additional marks will be dropped, tacking duels
commence and courses timed as the competitors enjoy a different coastal course each
day.
“The Antigua Racing Cup is for those on tight schedules who want a fast, focused, and
fiercely fun regatta, while Antigua Sailing Week returns to its cruising roots. Having two
separate events, each with a narrower focus, will allow us to deliver a more immersive
and enriching yachting experience to a wider audience,” said Race Manager Jaime
Torres.
On the repositioning of Antigua Sailing Week and the creation of the new Antigua Racing
Cup, Minister of Tourism, Charles “Max” Fernandez says, “This exciting new and strategic
direction comes after consulting with all our stakeholders, both at the community level
and those directly involved in the yachting sector. We anticipate a period of sailing in
Antigua that better serves everyone, dedicated racers and social cruisers, while
celebrating everything we love about sailing in Antigua and Barbuda”.
April 2026 will be a glorious month of sailing in Antigua and Barbuda. In addition to
Antigua Sailing Week and the new Antigua Racing Cup, the sailing calendar will also
feature the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta with the introduction of a Model Boat Race
which will be an exciting draw for the entire family showcasing boats built by the local
yachting community. Encompassing an entire month of great sailing and parties where
all can celebrate our rich maritime traditions where the various events and cultural
activities showcase the true spirit of our islands.
Key highlights of The Antigua Racing Cup:
- A new platform for high-performance sailing in the Caribbean
- Convenient 4-day race schedule
- Ideal calendar position for campaigning boats, race charters, one-design racing & professional sailors as well as Corinthian crews on our core racer-cruisers and
race charter boats.
Key highlights of Antigua Sailing Week:
- A return to destination sailing, point to point around Antigua
- A new, shorter format to better fit into people’s vacation schedules
- An option to cruise point to point or race!
- A focus on fun, fun, and more fun in the sun!
Antigua Sailing Week and The Antigua Racing Cup, together, reflect our commitment to
attending to the needs of a growing and diverse sailing audience, offering world-class
options for both competitive racers and laid-back cruisers alike. Antigua & Barbuda is
proud to lead the way in shaping the future of Caribbean sailing.
Further details, including registration and full schedules for both events, will be available
at www.sailingweek.com & www.antiguaracingcup.com in the coming weeks.
###
