Registration Open for the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race
by Rolex Middle Sea Race 2 Mar 14:18 UTC
17 October 2026
Rolex Middle Sea Race © Rolex / RMYC
The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) is pleased to confirm that the Notice of Race for the 47th Rolex Middle Sea Race is now available online, with entries officially open for one of offshore sailing's most celebrated challenges.
The 2026 edition is scheduled to start on Saturday, 17 October, from Grand Harbour, Malta.
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Building on another successful edition in 2025, the RMYC looks forward to welcoming a diverse and international fleet once again. The Rolex Middle Sea Race continues to attract competitors ranging from professional offshore campaigns to Corinthian crews, all drawn by the unique combination of tactical complexity, demanding conditions and spectacular Mediterranean scenery that defines the 606-nautical mile course.
The race remains one of the most anticipated fixtures on the offshore calendar, linking Malta with Sicily, the Aeolian Islands (including Stromboli) the Aegadian Islands, Pantelleria and Lampedusa before returning to the Maltese Archipelago.
Commodore Mark Napier commented: "Opening entries is always an exciting milestone for the Club. Each year we see returning competitors alongside many newcomers discovering the Rolex Middle Sea Race for the first time. The strength of this event lies in its diversity — different nationalities, different ages, different yachts, and different ambitions, all unified by a shared passion for the sea."
The RMYC continues to focus on enhancing the competitor experience both ashore and afloat. The online entry system provides a streamlined platform allowing teams to complete registration, manage crew details, process documentation and follow administrative requirements efficiently throughout their race preparation. Collaboration with the Royal Ocean Racing Club remains a key feature of the overall race management. A strong and experienced international jury, led this year by Liz Proctor, will ensure fair oversight of the competition.
Early expressions of interest already indicate strong participation across a broad spectrum of yacht sizes and nationalities. As in previous years, the fleet is expected to include high-performance maxi yachts capable of record-breaking passages alongside the smaller contenders that form the traditional backbone of the race and frequently challenge for overall victory. The double-handed division is always hotly-contested, and the Rolex Middle Sea Race remains one of the only classic 600 mile races open to short-handed crews yet to have been won overall by a two-person team. Red Ruby came closest in 2023, losing out by 24 seconds on corrected time.
The spectacle of the start remains a defining feature of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Against the backdrop of Valletta's UNESCO World Heritage fortifications, spectators and competitors alike witness one of offshore racing's most iconic moments as the fleet sets off on its anti-clockwise Mediterranean circuit that includes two live volcanoes, narrow straits and open water among its many attributes.
While the largest and fastest yachts often capture headlines through their pursuit of line honours, history consistently demonstrates that overall success is open to competitors throughout the fleet. The magnificent Rolex Middle Sea Race trophy is awarded to the overall winner under IRC Time Correction. Three of the past 10 winners have been yachts under 14 metres (45 feet).
"The Rolex Middle Sea Race rewards preparation, seamanship and perseverance," added Napier. "Whether racing a cutting-edge maxi or a well-sailed cruiser-racer, every team has the opportunity to write its own story."
The fleet typically ranges from approximately 9 metres (30 feet) to over 30 metres (100 feet), and includes both monohulls racing under IRC and ORC, as well as Multihulls competing under MOCRA. Open classes, such as Class40s, are encouraged reflecting the race's broad appeal across the international offshore racing community. The Rolex Middle Sea Race forms part of the RORC Season's Points Championship, the International Maxi Association (IMA) Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Championship and the Class40 Mediterranean Trophy 2026.
The 47th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 17 October 2026.