Cork Week 2026 returns to Cork Harbour from 6–10 July with two major championships added to the regatta programme and a packed week of racing planned across one of Ireland's premier sailing venues.
Hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven, the biennial event will incorporate both the ICRA National Championships and the Etchells European Championship, alongside the Beaufort Cup and the regatta's established cruiser and one-design classes.
Organisers say more than 120 boats are expected to compete across a variety of race formats, ranging from offshore coastal courses to harbour racing and Olympic-style windward-leeward contests.
The international Beaufort Cup for uniformed service crews will once again feature a race to Fastnet Rock and back as part of its programme.
A highlight for spectators will be the traditional Cork Harbour Race on Wednesday 8 July, when fleets will race through the harbour. Viewing locations include Camden and Church Bay in Crosshaven, Haulbowline Island Amenity Park, Ringaskiddy and Cobh.
Royal Cork Yacht Club Admiral Denis Byrne said the addition of the ICRA and Etchells championships would strengthen the competitive programme and attract high-calibre fleets to Cork Harbour.
"Cork Week has long been recognised as a leading regatta and 2026 promises to deliver top-class racing both on the harbour and offshore," Byrne said.
The event opens with a Family Day in Crosshaven on Sunday 5 July, followed by five days of racing and a full programme of daily après-sail entertainment and social events.
Cork Week Regatta 2026 Schedule
| Sunday 5 July | |
|---|---|
| 12:00–17:00 | Family Fun Day and Coastal Market |
| 14:00–16:00 | Face Painting, Balloon Modelling and Pirate Activities |
| 16:00–18:00 | Music with Ronan O’Driscoll |
| 18:30 | Cork Week 2026 Opening Ceremony |
| Monday 6 July | |
| 10:55 | First Gun for Racing |
| 16:00 | Heineken Après Sail Welcome Party with live music and resident musician Phil Holbird |
| Tuesday 7 July | |
| 10:55 | First Gun for Racing |
| 16:00 | "Fastnet Tuesday" Mount Gay Après Sail with live music from the Crosshaven Music Collective |
| 17:00 | Cocktails & Happy Hour with resident musician Phil Holbird |
| Wednesday 8 July | |
| 10:55 | First Gun for Racing |
| 12:00 | Cork Week Ladies Lunch in aid of Crosshaven RNLI |
| 16:00 | Murphy’s Après Sail, live music, cocktails and happy hour |
| 19:00 | Mid-Week Party with resident musician Phil Holbird in the marquee |
| Thursday 9 July | |
| 10:55 | First Gun for Racing |
| 16:00 | The Busker & Ginger Ale Après Sail, live music, cocktails and happy hour |
| 19:00 | Traditional Cork Week John Paul Construction BBQ Bash followed by Phil Holbird |
| 22:00 | Battle of the DJs |
| Friday 10 July | |
| 10:55 | First Gun for Racing |
| 16:00 | Murphy’s Après Sail, live music, cocktails and happy hour |
| 17:00 | Prizegiving and Closing Ceremony attended by sponsors, competitors and guests |
| 19:00 | Closing Party with resident musician Phil Holbird followed by DJ entertainment |
