After a seven-year hiatus, the World Sailing Nations Cup, the ultimate event to crown the world’s top match-racing nations, is making its much-anticipated return. World Sailing has officially opened the bid process for host cities and organisers for the prestigious Grand Final, a Grade 1 event, slated for late 2026 or 2027.
The Nations Cup, first launched in 1991, is a unique competition that pits nation against nation, rather than individual skippers, to determine the Open and Women’s world champion nation in match racing. The event is renowned for fostering global talent and providing a clear pathway to elite competition, with many of its alumni going on to compete in the America’s Cup, the World Match Racing Tour, and the Olympic Games.
Esteemed past participants include Mathieu Richard (FRA), Anna Tunnicliffe (USA), Peter Holmberg (ISV), Claire Leroy (FRA), and Lucy Macgregor (GBR), highlighting the event’s role as a crucial stepping stone for sailing’s greatest stars.
“The Nations Cup is a celebration of national pride and a proven breeding ground for the future legends of our sport,” said World Sailing Vice-President Cory Sertl. “Its return re-establishes a vital, cost-effective international platform for sailors and Member National Authorities, expanding the reach of match racing and inspiring a new generation of competitors.”
The event’s format is designed to maximise global participation. A pyramid of club and national championships often precedes the international competition, with a series of Regional Finals culminating in the Grand Final. For the 2026/2027 edition, up to 10 teams in both the Open and Women’s divisions will be invited to the Grand Final based on a regional selection process.
The Nations Cup has a strong history of international representation. The 2015 Grand Final in Vladivostok, Russia, saw 37 teams compete in the continental qualifiers, with Russia (Open) and the USA (Women’s) claiming the titles. In 2019, at the St Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, 19 teams from 13 countries participated, with France achieving a remarkable victory in both the Open and Women’s divisions.
Call for bids
World Sailing is now seeking bids from experienced yacht clubs and event organisers, endorsed by their national federation, to host the 2026/2027 Nations Cup Grand Final. This is a premier opportunity to showcase a host venue to a global audience and play a pivotal role in the development of international match racing.
The deadline for bid submission is 00:00 UTC on 15 September 2025.
For further information on the bidding process and event requirements, please email bid@sailing.org.
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