Yacht Racing Forum 2026 - Where the yacht racing community and industry meet
by Yacht Racing Forum 1 Oct 04:00 PDT
19-20 November 2026
This photo of Charlie Dalin's finish at the last Vendée Globe illustrates the richness of our sport and the close connections between sporting performance, the beauty & fragility of our ecosystem, the involvement of the industry, and passion of the public © Olivier Blanchet
The Yacht Racing Forum 2026 will once again bring together the CEOs, decision-makers, sailors, event organisers, designers, engineers and industry leaders who are shaping the future of yacht racing.
Just to name a few: Sam Watson, Marzio Perrelli, Sam Davies, Richard Brisius, Luisa Bambozzi, Giorgio Benussi, Victoria Low, Jeremy Pochman, Antoine Mermod, Alison Sly-Adams, Sam Manuard, Stephan Kandler, David Graham, Rosanna Chopra, Luca Manzoni...
Taking place in Amsterdam on November 19-20, at the end and after Metstrade, the Forum provides a unique platform for the international yacht racing community to meet, exchange ideas, debate the major issues facing the sport and develop new business opportunities.
The 2026 programme will address some of the most important topics shaping the industry, including the future of the America's Cup, the evolution of the IMOCA Class, sponsorship, host venues, event management, race formats, artificial intelligence, sustainability, innovation and the development of new racing yachts.
The Forum will also look beyond the sport's biggest events to explore how yacht racing can remain accessible, relevant and attractive to sailors, partners, venues, media and audiences worldwide.
Among the highlights will be keynote presentations from Sam Watson, CEO of North Technology Group, and Marzio Perrelli, CEO of The America's Cup, as well as insights from World Sailing CEO David Graham, live from the federation's Annual Conference in China.
Delegates will also discover some of the year's most innovative new race boats and hear directly from the people behind their design and development.
Networking remains at the heart of the Yacht Racing Forum. Coffee breaks, shared lunches and the Sailors' Night on Thursday evening will provide numerous opportunities to meet the people driving the sport and its industry.
More than a conference, the Yacht Racing Forum is a global business platform where ideas are shared, relationships are built and new partnerships begin.
The Yacht Racing Forum 2026 takes place on November 19-20 at RAI Amsterdam.
Register at yachtracingforum.com
Keynote speakers shaping the future of the sport
Each day of the Yacht Racing Forum will open with a keynote presentation from a leading figure in the sport and its industry, setting the tone for the discussions that follow.
Sam Watson, CEO of North Technology Group, will open the Forum on Thursday morning. At the helm of a group that brings together some of the most influential brands in sailing and marine technology, Watson will offer a business and industry perspective on the future of yacht racing, exploring the evolution of the market, the role of innovation and the opportunities ahead.
On Friday morning, Marzio Perrelli, CEO of The America's Cup, will take the stage just six months ahead of the next edition of the world's oldest international sporting trophy. In one of his first major appearances before the international yacht racing industry since taking on his new role, Perrelli will share his vision for the future of the America's Cup and provide insights into the projects and developments shaping its next chapter.
The two keynote presentations illustrate what lies at the heart of the Yacht Racing Forum: bringing together the people shaping the sport, its events and its industry, and giving them a platform to share their vision directly with the international yacht racing community.
A conference open to everyone passionate about sailing
The Yacht Racing Forum brings together leading personalities from across the international sailing world, but it is also open to everyone with a passion for the sport and designed to be highly accessible.
A single registration fee provides full access to the two-day conference programme, coffee and lunch breaks, the Sailors' Night on Thursday evening and the networking lounge. Above all, it offers a unique opportunity to meet and exchange informally with the decision-makers, athletes, entrepreneurs and innovators who are shaping the future of sailing.