Poole, Dorset, will host a major European yacht championship this year as part of the town’s large biennial sailing festival. The championship will take place from May 22, 2026, to May 25, 2026, during the International Paint Poole Regatta.
Organisers expect up to 200 boats from across the United Kingdom and Northern Europe to visit for the competition. This year’s regatta follows last years 25th anniversary of the modern version of the event, which local sailing groups first brought back to the area in 2000.
According to the Royal Motor Yacht Club, the racing will feature 16 different groups of yachts using five separate race areas. One of these areas will be located inside Poole Harbour, while the other four will be set up in the open water of Poole Bay.
Sailors will also compete for the Canford Cup, a historic trophy that was first awarded to winners in 1849. The event is being organised by a group of local clubs and the Royal Ocean Racing Club, with registration for boat owners having opened at the start of 2026.
The high number of international visitors is expected to lead to more traffic in the harbour and a busy weekend for local hotels and restaurants. Local maritime groups are currently preparing for the increased number of spectators and boats during the four-day bank holiday event.
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