The Ocean Race Comes to St. Pete-Clearwater in May 2027

Name: The Ocean Race Comes to St. Pete-Clearwater in May 2027
Start: 3200-09-07
End: 1999-01-01

May 4, 2027 – May 16, 2027

11 Central Ave
St. Petersburg , FL 33701

View Website

St. Petersburg Yacht Club

St. Petersburg

The first-ever Ocean Race stop on Florida's Gulf Coast, and the only North American stop in 2027

At a Glance: The Ocean Race in St. Pete, Florida

Dates: May 4-16, 2027
Location: Downtown St. Pete, hosted at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club in the Waterfront Museum District
Cost: Free admission
Highlights: Ocean Live Park race village, boat viewing, ocean science and sustainability showcases

Race Details

A thrilling international sailing event, the The Ocean Race, is coming to St. Petersburg, Florida, May 4-16, 2027. This iconic offshore race has never before been hosted on Florida's Gulf Coast in its more than 50-year storied history.

“The Ocean Race embodies much of what our community already represents: a deep tradition of ocean racing and a strong commitment to ocean science, sustainability, marine innovation, STEM education, and tourism,” said Rob Britts, the Stopover Director for St. Pete-Clearwater. “We’re incredibly excited to welcome this event and the global spotlight it brings, but we're even more excited about the lasting legacy it can create for our community for years to come."

Visitors will not only be able to experience this acclaimed international sailing event at the interactive Ocean Live Park race village, they can also take advantage of St. Pete-Clearwater's beautiful, white-sand beaches, award-winning restaurants, unique museums, sports and other events on their trip.

Event Category

Sports & Recreation

Guest Information

Family-Friendly
Free Admission
Outdoor Event

Address

11 Central Ave
St. Petersburg , FL 33701

Website

View Website

Watch the Announcement Video for the 2027 Race Now!

FAQs About The Ocean Race

What are the host cities for The Ocean Race in 2027?

Host cities include:

Alicante, Spain
Auckland, New Zealand
Itajai, Brazil
St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida, USA
Cascais, Portugal
Red Sea, AMAALA
Additional stopovers will be added

St. Pete-Clearwater will be the fourth stop in the race. From St. Peterburg, the fleet will depart for Cascais, Portugal, a journey of 4,500 nautical miles.

How can I experience The Ocean Race in St. Petersburg?

The St. Pete-Clearwater stopover will be based at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, which is located at 11 Central Ave., in downtown St. Petersburg on the Tampa Bay waterfront. The 60-foot foiling sailboats of the IMOCA fleet will be berthed here, in partnership with the yacht club and the University of South Florida (USF).

During the St. Pete-Clearwater stopover, the waterfront will host an interactive Ocean Live Park (race village) open to the public. Visitors will be able to experience The Ocean Race through a series of free public events, including:

Exhibits about sailing and the world's oceans
"Dock walks" and team boat viewings
Ocean science programming
Sustainability and ocean conservation showcases

Not sure where to stay or what else to do while in St. Pete-Clearwater? Keep scrolling to see our Quick Guide below.

When should I start planning my trip to St. Pete-Clearwater for The Ocean Race?

While the race is in May 2027, the international appeal of this sailing event means it will be an exciting and busy time in St. Pete-Clearwater. Start early by deciding if you'd like to stay in the thick of the action in downtown St. Petersburg, or book a hotel in St. Pete Beach or another of our beachfront communities, then drive or take the SunRunner the short distance to the bayfront.

Which hotels are close to the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, the home base for The Ocean Race in St. Petersburg?

Hotels near the St. Petersburg Yacht Club include:

Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
The Birchwood (lovely boutique property with limited number of rooms, book early)
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club (perfectly pink, historic property)
Hampton Inn & Suites St. Petersburg
The Ponce De Leon Hotel
Hyatt Place St. Petersburg Downtown
The Cordova Inn
The Galaxy Hotel

When did The Ocean Race first take place?

The first Ocean Race was in 1973, and the iconic event has captured the imagination and desires of sailors around the world ever since. The 2027 event will be the 15th edition of The Ocean Race.

Has Florida hosted The Ocean Race before?

Fort Lauderdale and Miami have previously been stopovers for The Ocean Race, hosting the event five times. This is the first time The Ocean Race will come to the Gulf Coast of Florida, in St. Pete-Clearwater.

Photos and video on this page courtesy of The Ocean Race