Entries now open for International Paint Poole Regatta and IRC European Championship 2026
by Poole Regatta 31 Dec 2025 11:58 UTC
23-25 May 2026
Poole Regatta © Ian Roman /
www.ianroman.com
Make your New Year's Resolution to Race at Poole Regatta - Entries Open Now
Entries for both the International Paint Poole Regatta and The 2026 IRC European Championship are now live at pooleregatta.co.uk. Poole Regatta takes place over the late May Bank Holiday from the 23rd to 25th May 2026, with an extra day of racing scheduled on the 22nd May for the European Championship. Be one of the first competitors to enter over the New Year break and start 2026 as you mean to go on out on the water! It's the perfect New Year's Resolution.
As one of the UK's most popular keel boat events, the regatta will also host the IRC Southern Area Championships, VPRS Championship, J80 National Championship and Sonata Southern Championship. Around 200 yachts across 28 classes are expected to compete over five racecourses in carefully matched fleets for competitive, closely fought racing. Classes competing at the 2026 regatta also include TP52, Performance40s, Cape31, J70, J24, Impala, Contessa32, HP30, Quarter Ton Class, Mini Tonners, Sports boats, RS21, Classics, Folkboat Class, Sigma 33 & 38s, Beneteau 40.7, Flying Fifteens, 2.4mR, Shrimpers, XOD and the Non-Spinnaker Class.
The regatta is set against the picturesque backdrop of Old Harry's rock and the Purbeck Hills and organised by a highly experienced committee from the combined yacht clubs of Poole, who have been successfully running the event since 2000. Decades of race organising experience means Poole Regatta receives great feedback from competitors regarding both the on-water racing and social events every evening. With the generous support of our sponsors, the prize-giving is always a bountiful affair with the overall regatta winner picking up the historic Canford Cup, which predates the America's Cup Auld Mug by 2 years, demonstrating the yacht racing heritage of the region!
The 2026 regatta sees International Paint retain their title sponsorship for the 26th year and are joined in support by the recognised brands of Haven Knox-Johnston, Poole Harbour Commissioners, Charles Stanley, Stoneways Marine, Rooster, Salcombe Distilling Co and The Knot Agency without whom, the regatta could not exist. The charity partner for 2026 is Poole Lifeboat Station.
For direct access to the entry forms, visit pooleregatta.co.uk/entry-information