Seattle to Host a Stop for the 2025–2026 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

Seattle will be a host port and team partner for the 2025–2026 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the fifth time the city and Seattle Sports Commission has welcomed the Clipper Race fleet following a trek across the North Pacific Ocean.

This edition celebrates 10 years of partnership and five visits, making Seattle the most featured U.S. city on the Clipper Race route. In addition to hosting a stopover, the city will also be represented on the 11-month circumnavigation with a Seattle team that will compete while waving the flag for the city.

“Hosting an international sailing race in Seattle is a great fit for the boating passion in our region and compliments our global event portfolio,” said Seattle Sports Commission President and Chief Executive Officer Beth Knox. “Seattle is a world-class destination and along with the Port of Seattle and Visit Seattle, we are proud to welcome the Clipper Race crew with an extraordinary Seattle experience as we celebrate our 10th anniversary of first hosting the Clipper Race.”

Along with Seattle, other ports that have been announced so far for the 2025–2026 Clipper Race are Portsmouth, UK (the event’s start and finish location); Cape Town; Qingdao, China; Tongyeong, Korea, and Oban, Scotland.

The Port of Seattle will host the Clipper Race fleet at Bell Harbor Marina for the duration of its stay. The stopover will be the final port of call for crew competing on Leg 6: The Mighty Pacific. Nine Washington state locals have so far signed up to compete on various legs of the rRace. Two of these are set to complete the full circumnavigation, one further to sail into their home state on Leg 6 and another waving goodbye as they embark on the Americas Coast to Coast Leg (Leg 7).

“On our upcoming edition we will be celebrating 10 years of collaboration with Seattle so it’s only fitting that Seattle Sports Commission returns with both a host port and team entry,” said Kate Ashley, Clipper Race head of partnerships. “With four previous stops, we know that Seattle and our partners, Seattle Sports Commission, make the very best hosts for international visitors — which is especially welcomed after a tough ocean crossing.”

The year 2026 will be a big year of international sport for Seattle and the Seattle Sports Commission, with the city set to host six FIFA World Cup matches just two months after welcoming the Clipper Race fleet.