For the first time in its history, The Ocean Race sailors will experience racing on the spectacular waters of the Red Sea.
AMAALA, a new sport and wellness destination in Saudi Arabia’s north-east, will host the finish of the 15th edition of The Ocean Race in the summer of 2027.
In the build-up to the finale, The Ocean Race and Red Sea Global (RSG) — developer of AMAALA and regenerative project partner of The Ocean Race since 2022 — will collaborate on ocean science and ocean health initiatives as well as ocean literacy and education programmes aimed at youth in the region, in line with the UN Ocean Decade Challenge of restoring society’s relationship with the ocean.
“From our work with RSG over the past three years, we have seen that AMAALA on the Red Sea is a destination with tremendous potential for significant engagement around ocean health,” said Johan Salén, director of The Ocean Race during a launch ceremony on Friday 25 October.
“We believe we can have a role in raising awareness of the critical importance of the ocean in a region with a young population that is connecting with their coastline and celebrating their maritime tradition and heritage.
“From a sporting perspective, this final leg in the northern part of the Red Sea will make for a thrilling conclusion to the around the world race with a short, final leg in reliable sea breeze conditions to the finish at AMAALA.”
The Ocean Race 2027 will start from its home port of Alicante, Spain in January 2027 and take the foiling, flying, high-tech IMOCA fleet out of the Mediterranean Sea, down the Atlantic and into the Southern Ocean before rounding Cape Horn and returning to Europe via the Americas.
Between the start in Alicante and the race finish in AMAALA, additional stopovers will complete the race course. Dates for all stopovers and the race finish will be confirmed when the full race route is finalised.
The penultimate leg of The Ocean Race 2027 will be from a European port to a finish line in the Mediterranean Sea off Port Said, Egypt. The race fleet will then assemble to transit together to the Red Sea via the Suez Canal for the start of the final leg — approximately 135 nautical miles — to the finish line just off AMAALA.
“Sailing has been at the heart of life along the Red Sea for centuries,” said John Pagano, group CEO of Red Sea Global. “Now it is set to host the grand finale of sailing’s greatest round-the-world challenge. The Ocean Race’s ambition to be a catalyst for change that accelerates the protection and restoration of our seas is perfectly aligned with our own mission to pioneer regenerative tourism.
A leading marine life institute, Corallium — focused on coral science research and also acting as an immersive visitor attraction to engage people in ocean conservation — will be part of the ‘Triple Bay’ marina facility hosting the race at AMAALA, alongside a state-of-the-art, four-storey yacht club.
“By bringing this prestigious, purpose-led international event to Saudi shores, we are helping to secure the future health of the Red Sea and the ocean around the world, while nurturing the next generation of Saudi sailors and building a sailing legacy for years to come,” Pagano added.
This announcement of the finish venue for the 2027 race follows confirmation of the race route for The Ocean Race Europe and the creation of a new event, The Ocean Race Atlantic: New York to Barcelona.
