The Antigua Racing Cup (ARC) is set to debut April 9–12, 2026, where the spirit of pure competition and professional race management meet the vibrant energy of Antigua’s sailing community and the island’s world famous hospitality. With dual-scoring being offered, IRC rated boats will be welcomed and are invited to add the ARC to their Caribbean racing programme.
The newest regatta in the Caribbean has roots run deep in the sailing history of Antigua & Barbuda. Created as the evolutionary spin-off from Antigua Sailing Week, the Antigua Racing Cup represents a bold reset. Rather than stretching one large event to serve many types of teams, the Antigua Racing Cup delivers a focused technical racing environment aimed squarely at high-performance race boats, modern performance cruisers, and one-design classes.
The Antigua Racing Cup is being positioned as a sailors-first regatta, designed to deliver pure, high-level competition off Antigua’s south coast, with Nelson’s Dockyard serving as both the Regatta Village and the social heartbeat of the event.
Key Features of the Antigua Racing Cup
- Racing-Centric Format: The regatta is designed around the needs and wants of racing sailors only, ensuring that the courses, scheduling, and race management are optimized for performance and fairness.
- Dual scored – CSA/IRC – all boats will need CSA ratings, but IRC-rated boats will also be separately scored. Read more about dual scoring in the Caribbean.
- South Coast Theatre: Antigua’s south coast, with its steady trade winds and dramatic seascapes, provides the perfect natural amphitheatre for intense, tactical racing.
- Nelson’s Dockyard Hub: This UNESCO World Heritage Site doubles as the Regatta Village, offering sailors and teams a historic yet vibrant base for logistics, camaraderie, and post-race celebrations.
- Social Energy: While the ARC is competition-first, the Dockyard ensures the social side of sailing is not neglected—expect lively gatherings, prize-givings and cultural showcases that highlight Antigua’s maritime heritage.
Given the importance of race management, we had an in-depth interview with Race Director Jaime Torres. Check out the full interview.
Timing & Logistics
Specifically created in an early date to accommodate race boats leaving Antigua for their European and US summer race schedules, boats can ship out via Seven Star with a departure on April 20th. In 2026, with the later Cowes Round the Island Date of 11th July, this means you can be back early enough to participate, and delivery stops are in Northern Europe and Southampton.
Official Notice Board and Notice of Race
Image (c) Paul Wyeth/Antigua Sailing Week