What will World Sailing decide in 2026?

The 2026 World Sailing Annual Conference is being held November 16-21 in the maritime city of Qingdao, China, bringing together over 400 international delegates to discuss, debate, and decide on the key issues shaping the future of global sailing.

The conference unites the sport’s key stakeholders – including Member National Authorities (MNAs), Class Associations, sailors, event organizers, and marine industry representatives – for a schedule of meetings culminating in the World Sailing Council meeting and the General Assembly.

The 2026 conference is pivotal, featuring a packed agenda focused on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Key decisions will be made on the strategic direction of sailing, including Olympic sailing pathways, advancements in the Para Inclusive Strategy, and the progression of the Sustainability Agenda 2030.

“The Annual Conference is the most important week in our calendar, where the global sailing family comes together to collectively steer the future of our sport,” noted David Graham, CEO of World Sailing.

“This is a special occasion to champion our successes, speak openly about challenges, and create new opportunities for growth. We are thrilled to be in Qingdao, a city with an extraordinary Olympic sailing heritage, to make the critical decisions that will impact sailing at every level.”

The schedule includes the World Sailing Awards on November 18, the 2026 Development Symposium, and concludes with the General Assembly on November 21.

Open sessions of the conference will be streamed live on the World Sailing YouTube channel.

Source: World Sailing