The Ocean Race returning to Auckland

The Ocean Race 2027 will return to New Zealand for the iconic around the world offshore race. While the 2022-23 race extended non-stop for 12750 nm from South Africa to Brazil, the 15th edition will finish the stage in Auckland in March 2027, marking a celebrated homecoming for an event deeply embedded in the city’s maritime heritage.

Auckland’s connection to The Ocean Race stretches back five decades, with the city first playing host to the 1977-78 edition of the Whitbread Round the World Race, the precursor to The Ocean Race. Since then, Auckland has been a host port 10 times (there was a New Zealand stopover in Wellington in 2006) and the 2027 stopover will be just one year shy of a 50-year golden jubilee anniversary.

Over the decades, Auckland has become synonymous with offshore sailing excellence, with Kiwi legends like Sir Peter Blake and Grant Dalton writing their names into the event’s record book over the past decades. The return of The Ocean Race is a reflection of its enduring legacy and a celebration of New Zealand’s passion for the ocean.

“We’re excited to be bringing The Ocean Race back to its spiritual home in Auckland, a city that embodies the spirit of human endeavor and resilience that defines this competition,” said Richard Brisius, Race Chairman of The Ocean Race. “While we celebrate the many Kiwi sailors who are legends of the race, we are also looking ahead and inviting a new generation of New Zealand sailors to take up the challenge of The Ocean Race.”

Auckland’s vibrant waterfront precinct will be home to the race village – Ocean Live Park – offering race fans a two-week festival celebrating sailing and sailors, technical innovation, and sustainability, and further enhancing Auckland’s status as the City of Sails and as a world-class destination.

“The Government is investing up to $4 million to help The Ocean Race return to Auckland in 2027,” reports Hon Simeon Brown, Minister for Auckland. “This will be a boost for the local economy, and I’m sure Kiwis across the country will take a keen interest in this important international event.

“New Zealand has hosted stopovers in all but three of the races over the past 50 years. It is great to have this international event return, that will help showcase Auckland and New Zealand to the world.”

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown adds, “The City of Sails is in for a treat, with spectators getting a rare close look at these fantastic boats on our shores, not to mention the boost it will provide for the local economy.  It’s a win/win.”

Auckland is the third host city to be confirmed for the next race which will start from its home port of Alicante, Spain in January and finish on the Red Sea in Amaala early in the summer of 2027. Additional stopover cities will be announced in due course.

Details: https://www.theoceanrace.com/en/

The Ocean Race will begin again in 2027 using the IMOCA class boat, with two earlier events providing training and exposure to prospective teams. In 2025, The Ocean Race Europe will start on August 10 from Kiel, Germany and take a route south around the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean Sea. In 2026, The Ocean Race Atlantic will start in New York, USA and finish in Barcelona, Spain.

Source: The Ocean Race