2027 Antigua Racing Cup - New dates, dual scoring, and unmatched racing experience
by Antigua Racing Cup 14 Jun 13:17 UTC
March 17-21, 2027
Antigua Racing Cup 2026 Day 1 - A blistering opening day © Paul Wyeth / Antigua Racing Cup
The Antigua Racing Cup will return in 2027 from March 17-21. Earlier dates further strengthen the event's position in the international racing calendar, making the timing ideal for boats that want to maximize their racing time in the Caribbean and still make the summer season in Europe and North America.
Designed as a performance-focused regatta, the Antigua Racing Cup offers optimized daily course planning, with class splits and course layouts that deliver a fair and satisfying racing experience across the diverse fleet of racing and racer/cruisers.
A key feature of the event is dual scoring, allowing boats to compete under both CSA and IRC. In the inaugural Antigua Racing Cup, 11 of the 21 boats in the fleet opted to dual score, which was calculated within seconds of their finish, showcasing the appeal of the format to international teams seeking flexibility and broader competitive value.
What the sailors said
Josh Redgrave, Bella Donna (CSA 2 Winners): "We came back to Antigua because it felt like the obvious choice after winning the Lord Nelson Trophy at Antigua Sailing Week last year.... the racing was fantastic, and it really showed the quality of the rating systems as well. This is high-level racing in the Caribbean, and that is why we came. We had a brilliant time, and we will definitely be back next year."
Ashley Rhodes, Whiplash (CSA 4 Winners): "When people see the racing, the courses, and the standard of competition at the Antigua Racing Cup, I hope they will be motivated to come next year. I would say to them, bring it."
Bruce Chafee, Rikki: "I am really glad we chose to come back to Antigua; we have had a fantastic time here.... To still get nine races completed showed they were focused on giving the sailors the best possible regatta."
Dan Ziel, Prevail (CSA 1 Winners): "It has been a great regatta for us and a real pleasure to be part of the first Antigua Racing Cup.... the weather has been superb, and the people are incredibly friendly. Our crew loved it every day. We will definitely be back."
The shoreside experience
Hosted at Nelson's Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Antigua Racing Cup provides a distinctive regatta village atmosphere, combining historic surroundings with race logistics, team support, and post-race social activity.
Daily prize-givings and happy hours allow sailors and spectators to compare notes, celebrate results, and enjoy the hospitality of English Harbour into the evening.
The event is especially well-positioned for boats heading to the Caribbean, fitting into a concentrated six-week racing window from the start of the RORC Nelson's Series, which includes the RORC Caribbean 600 and the RORC Nelson's Cup, through to the end of the BVI Spring Regatta. This timing offers teams a practical and competitive opportunity to race within a tightly aligned regional calendar.