The Ocean Race and Alicante build towards a bright future
The Ocean Race and the institutions that support the Alicante Puerto de Salida are building a future beyond the 2027 edition of the around-the-world race, which will set sail from the Spanish port city on 17 January.
The Ocean Race, the Generalitat Valenciana and Alicante City Council are collaborating closely on the programme that will shape the future of their long-standing relationship.
After 18 years of successful partnership, which has helped strengthen Alicante’s reputation as a host city for major international sporting events, all parties are already looking ahead to the next chapter in the city’s relationship with The Ocean Race.
“The Ocean Race family loves Alicante,” says Richard Brisius, Race Chairman of The Ocean Race. “We have an incredibly successful past and present together, and we are committed to continuing to build towards a bright future. Our partnership has already been a fundamental part of The Ocean Race story for almost 20 years.
“We have a very strong and direct working relationship with the Generalitat Valenciana and Alicante City Council, and together we are embarking on a New Era for this successful collaboration. Everyone involved wants this relationship to continue well beyond the next race start in 2027.
“At the same time as we progress these agreements, we are working together to ensure that next January’s start will be the best yet.”
On 17 January 2027, the fleet will depart from Alicante Race Start, marking the sixth consecutive edition of The Ocean Race to begin in the city. The start will be preceded by ten days of activities open to the public at Ocean Live Park Alicante, the heart of the event’s programme of public engagement ahead of the crews’ round-the-world adventure.
From Alicante, the fleet will embark on a journey through some of the most challenging waters on the planet. Teams will race across the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans, with stopovers in Auckland, New Zealand; Itajaí, Brazil; St. Pete-Clearwater, USA; Cascais, Portugal, and potentially a new Mediterranean stop before facing a final sprint through the Red Sea to AMAALA.
A partnership built for the future
With almost two decades of shared history, Alicante and The Ocean Race are now looking beyond the next race start and towards a new era of collaboration that aims to build on the success already achieved and continue positioning Alicante as a leading international destination for world-class sailing and ocean-focused initiatives.