The Ocean Race Charts New Course to St. Pete-Clearwater for 2027

ST. PETE-CLEARWATER, Fla. – March 18, 2026 – The Ocean Race, the world's most grueling and prestigious fully-crewed offshore sailing competition, will make a historic stop in St. Pete-Clearwater in May 2027. The announcement marks the first time in the event's 54-year history that Florida's Gulf Coast will serve as a host port, positioning the region as the launch point for a punishing 4,500-nautical-mile transatlantic leg to Cascais, Portugal.

This new stopover is a key feature of the landmark 15th edition of the race, which will see fleets of high-tech, 60-foot foiling IMOCA sailboats push the limits of human and technological endurance. The St. Pete-Clearwater stop, scheduled for May 4-16, 2027, is poised to bring a significant influx of international attention, tourism, and scientific collaboration to the Sunshine State.

Economic Winds and Tourism Tides

The arrival of The Ocean Race is expected to deliver a substantial economic windfall for the St. Pete-Clearwater area. While local officials are still developing specific projections, the economic performance of previous North American host cities provides a compelling benchmark. When Newport, Rhode Island, hosted the race in 2015, it generated an estimated $47.7 million for the state's economy, attracting over 137,000 visitors and creating more than 350 local jobs. A significant portion of that spending flowed directly into local businesses, with visitors spending millions on hotels, restaurants, and retail.

Local leaders anticipate a similar boom. The event is seen as a major addition to a portfolio that already includes high-profile events like the St. Pete Grand Prix. The city's combination of 35 miles of award-winning beaches, a vibrant downtown arts scene anchored by the world-renowned Dalí Museum, and a Michelin Guide-rated culinary landscape makes it an attractive destination for the international crowd the race attracts.

"It's an honor to be selected as the North American destination on this prestigious race that encompasses some of the globe's most iconic coastal communities," said Steve Grimes, chief marketing officer for Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. He emphasized that the event offers visitors a chance to experience the region's unique blend of natural beauty and urban culture. During the stopover, a sprawling Ocean Live Park race village will be established at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, offering free public access to the teams, their state-of-the-art boats, and a host of ocean-themed exhibits and entertainment.

A Confluence of Sport and Science

Beyond the thrill of competition and the promise of economic benefits, the St. Pete-Clearwater stopover is deeply integrated with The Ocean Race's core mission of ocean advocacy. A cornerstone of the event is a strategic partnership with the University of South Florida (USF) and its College of Marine Science, one of the top-ranked marine science programs in the nation.

In a unique and powerful symbol of this collaboration, the entire fleet of IMOCA race boats will be berthed directly at the seawall of the USF College of Marine Science campus in downtown St. Petersburg. This will provide unparalleled access for researchers, students, and the public.

"We're super excited to welcome The Ocean Race teams to our waterfront campus in downtown St. Petersburg, and to introduce our community to this incredible event," said Tom Frazer, dean of the USF College of Marine Science. "Advancements in science, technology and ocean education will be on full display."

This partnership extends far beyond providing a place to dock. The Ocean Live Park will feature extensive programming focused on STEM education, sustainability, and marine innovation, leveraging USF's expertise. Furthermore, the race itself functions as a massive data-gathering platform. Each boat is equipped with specialized sensors that collect vital ocean health data—from water salinity and temperature to microplastic concentrations—in some of the most remote parts of the planet. This information is shared with leading global scientific institutions, contributing directly to our understanding of climate change and marine pollution. The stopover will serve as a powerful platform to highlight this work and foster a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship in the region.

A Legacy of Sailing Meets a Modern Challenge

St. Pete-Clearwater's selection is no accident; it is a nod to the area's deep and storied sailing heritage. The St. Petersburg Yacht Club (SPYC), which will anchor the race village, was founded in 1909 and has been a cornerstone of the region's maritime culture for over a century. The club has a long history of hosting world-class regattas, including the legendary St. Petersburg to Havana Race, which began in 1930.

"For more than a century, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club has helped shape the sailing culture of Tampa Bay, hosting generations of sailors and world-class regattas," said Commodore Christian Bergstrom. "We are honored to see that legacy continue as St. Petersburg enters a new chapter."

The region's protected waters and reliable breezes have made it a cradle for generations of elite sailors, including Olympians and America's Cup veterans. This deep-rooted sailing culture provides a solid foundation of expertise and enthusiasm to support an event of this magnitude. Interestingly, St. Pete-Clearwater steps into the role of North American host as Newport, RI, which hosted the last three consecutive stopovers, opted not to bid for the 2027 race, citing a need to refocus on its nonprofit mission and community priorities. This transition opens the door for a new American city to embrace the race and make it its own.

A Bold New Route for a Storied Race

The new Florida stop is part of a broader strategic evolution for The Ocean Race's 15th edition, which features one of the most ambitious routes in its history. The race will kick off from Alicante, Spain, on January 17, 2027, with a staggering 14,000-nautical-mile opening leg to Auckland, New Zealand—the longest single leg in the event's history. This epic passage will test crews to their absolute limits as they navigate the Atlantic and the treacherous Southern Ocean.

From Auckland, the fleet will race to Itajaí, Brazil, before heading north to the United States for the new St. Pete-Clearwater stopover. Following the transatlantic crossing to Cascais, Portugal, the race will conclude with another historic first: a final sprint down the Red Sea to a finish in AMAALA, Saudi Arabia. This marks the first time the race has ever entered the Red Sea, a move designed to bring the event's message of ocean conservation to a new and critical part of the world.

This redesigned course underscores the race's commitment to pushing boundaries, not just in competition but in its global reach and environmental mission. For St. Pete-Clearwater, being a pivotal part of this new chapter cements its status on the world stage, blending its rich maritime past with the future of international sailing.