The Tall Ships Races 2026

The Tall Ships Races 2026 is set to return to northern Europe and Sail Training International is delighted to confirm the five event Host Ports of Aarhus (24-27 June), Harlingen (3-6 July), Antwerp (11-14 July), Stavanger (22-25 July), and Aalborg (30 July-2 August).

The series will begin on Wednesday 24 June and continue through to Sunday 2 August, offering three exciting and challenging race legs and a scenic Cruise-in-Company. With each Host Port having held several magnificent events during previous editions of The Tall Ships Races, there is sure to be a stunning reception for the fleet at every stop.

As with every edition of the world-famous race series, The Tall Ships Races 2026 will offer the perfect opportunity to experience the adventure of a lifetime as it brings together young people from around the world to embark on a voyage of challenge and self-discovery.

Tall Ships Races International Ltd.’s Chief Executive Officer, Alan James, welcomed the news of the confirmed Host Ports:

“We are excited to be able to confirm the Host Ports of The Tall Ships Races 2026, welcoming back long-term friends of the series who all enjoy a rich history of hosting The Tall Ships Races.”

“Between them, the ports of Aarhus, Harlingen, Antwerp, Stavanger and Aalborg have hosted over 20 editions of The Tall Ships Races. With this rich and storied legacy, we are confident they will all once again welcome the Tall Ships fleet with a spirit of adventure, and a commitment to our core values of youth development, and international friendship and understanding.”

“Each edition of the event presents a truly unique opportunity for young people from around the world to do something amazing as they rise to challenges, overcome fears, build new friendships, and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. We are sure that each Host Port will once again deliver some world-class celebrations to perfectly compliment this lifechanging experience.”

“We are confident that The Tall Ships Races 2026 will provide another attractive route for vessel operators and offer some exciting and adventurous experiences for the thousands of young trainees we look forward to welcoming.”

Chief Executive Officer, Alan James

ABOUT THE HOST PORTS

AARHUS

Aarhus is Denmark’s second-largest city and can trace its maritime history back to the days of the Vikings. It boasts a number of cultural attractions, including historic architecture and museums, which entertained visitors and crews alike during The Tall Ships Races’ last visit in 2019.

HARLINGEN

Harlingen is one of the oldest seaports in the Netherlands, and it’s the gateway to northern Holland from the North Sea. The city has a history that stretches back a thousand years, and this is reflected in some of the beautiful architecture on show.

ANTWERP

Located in the heart of Europe, Antwerp is a pocket-sized metropolis and Europe’s second-largest port. The Belgian city boasts some impressive and dramatic architecture, providing a truly stunning environment for the 850,000 visitors who flocked to see The Tall Ships Races 2022.

STAVANGER

Stavanger is located on the south-western coast of Norway and last hosted The Tall Ships Races in 2018. The city waterfront comes alive throughout the summer, offering an enviable combination of small-town charm and metropolitan liveliness.

AALBORG

Aalborg is situated in the North of Jutland, Denmark, and has grown from an industrial hub into a vibrant, modern city. The recently updated waterfront areas are a focal point of the city and provided the ideal setting for the fleet during their last visit in 2022.

With five amazing Host Ports from four different countries The Tall Ships Races 2026 will once again offer a wide range of festivities, attractions and crew activities during Europe’s largest, free, family festival. All of which is sure to make this edition of The Tall Ships Races a truly unforgettable experience.

Put your name to one of Europe’s longest running and largest annual maritime festivals – The Tall Ships Races.

Every Tall Ships Race and Regatta offers unique spirit, unrivalled spectacle and a powerful marketing platform… and the event’s powerful core values led to a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

Engage with your target audiences in key markets during The Tall Ships Races 2025, drive your brand message and connect with millions of people.

If you are interested in discussing sponsorship of The Tall Ships Races 2025, please contact vanessa.mori@sailtraininginternational.org for further details.

The Tall Ships Races change the lives of thousands of young people each year, the majority of whom have never sailed before. Taking part in a sail training voyage helps young people grow in confidence, discover hidden strengths and develop the skills they need to succeed in their adult lives.

If you are a Tall Ship operator, welfare professional, National Sail Training Organisation, or simply interested in raising awareness of The Tall Ships Races as an opportunity for young people, we have created a handy presentation toolkit to help.

Below you can download the full presentation, or a condensed pdf version, to help you engage with schools and other organisations.

If you are interested in discussing other ways of promoting The Tall Ships Races as an opportunity for young people, please contact vanessa.mori@sailtraininginternational.org for further details.

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