The Ocean Race: From Alicante to Porto – the round-the-world sailors are on the move

First comes Alicante’s sixth appearance in an ocean race and the 15th edition of the world’s most famous round-the-world team regatta, followed by the move from Spain to Portugal. The round-the-world sailors are relocating their headquarters from Alicante to Porto. A new programme focusing on marine conservation, science and education is also set to be launched.

The Ocean Race: new home port in Portugal

The coastal town in north-western Portugal is set to become the organisation’s new long-term headquarters until at least 2040. Launched in 1973 in the UK as the Whitbread Round the World Race, The Ocean Race can now look back on an eventful 53-year history, which is embarking on a new chapter with its move from Alicante to Porto, from the Costa Blanca to the Atlantic coast of northern Portugal.

In partnership with the City of Porto, Turismo de Portugal and Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal, the establishment of The Ocean Race’s new headquarters in Porto is set to create a new offshore sailing centre there. This means that, following its 15th edition, the round-the-world team race will also have a new starting port: at least three editions of the ocean marathon – in 2030, 2034 and 2038 – are set to start in Porto.

To this end, the organisers have announced a further “Special Race” for 2028, as well as “a comprehensive programme of international sailing and maritime activities across Portugal until 2040”. The organisers of The Ocean Race and other races such as the Ocean Race Atlantic and the Ocean Race Europe aim, through their new partnership and move to Portugal, to provide teams and sailors with “long-term security” and “a permanent base on the Atlantic”.

Porto aims to become an international offshore hub through The Ocean Race

The move is also linked to the aim of “developing Porto into a world-class centre for the offshore racing industry”.

"We want to inspire the world to achieve extraordinary things, and we welcome a long-term partner in Porto who shares this goal." Richard Brisius

Swedish co-owner and Race Chairman Richard Brisius said: “We look forward to building a future in Porto – a future that will benefit our sailors, teams and partners, strengthen our sport and, above all, help us do more for the sport.” The organisers of The Ocean Race are set to make a historic building right on the waterfront, on the beach in front of Porto’s city park, their new operational headquarters.

Brisius also said: “Porto and Portugal are characterised by a deeply rooted maritime identity, a strong connection to the Atlantic and an increasingly important role in sport, science, innovation and the blue economy.” The relocation of the headquarters will also involve the establishment of a new museum at a further site right on the waterfront in Porto.

The Ocean Race in Porto: Management, marine conservation and the museum

The aim is to create “a permanent public space” where visitors can learn a great deal about “the crucial role the ocean plays in all our lives”. At the same time, the museum is intended to become a place that honours the historical legacy of the world’s most famous team race and the people who have shaped it.

The future programme for the round-the-world sailors is ambitious: following the ‘Special Race’ in 2028 and the start of the three editions of The Ocean Race around the world in 2030, 2034 and 2038 – all of which are set to kick off in Porto – Portugal will host at least six further international sailing events over the next 13 years. The organisers highlighted Ocean Race Europe as a key focus here. In addition, there will be the continuation of “The Ocean Race Summits” series and the associated programmes focusing on marine science, marine education and education in general.

From a Portuguese perspective, too, this new partnership is linked to hopes and objectives: the aim is to strengthen Portugal’s position as a venue for major international sporting events. At the same time, the country’s Atlantic identity and its growing leadership role in the blue economy are to be highlighted. “With Porto at the heart of this partnership and involving the whole country, we can showcase Portugal’s Atlantic identity to an audience across the globe,” said Pedro Machado, State Secretary for Tourism, Trade and Services.

A hub for the blue economy

Carlos Abende, President of Turismo de Portugal, described the partnership with The Ocean Race as “a crucial step for Portugal’s global positioning” and said: “It reflects our ambition to take a leading role at the intersection of tourism, sustainability and the ocean, and to position the country at the heart of the international blue economy agenda.”

To this end, the Portuguese are using sport and the round-the-world race as a platform and as ambassadors. Mariana Lobato has also consistently promoted this. The Lisbon-born Portuguese woman most recently won the Ocean Race Atlantic as co-skipper to Paul Meilhat on “United by the Ocean”.

However, before the move and the reorganisation begin, the 15th edition of The Ocean Race will get underway on 17 January. It will take the teams to Around the World on the Course from Alicante via Auckland, Itajaí (Brazil), St Pete-Clearwater (USA) and Cascais (Portugal) to the finish port of Amaala on the Red Sea. Whilst a confirmed full entry list of the teams is still pending, one thing is clear: Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia are determined to for the second time since 2023 ...are set to compete in the new “Malizia 4”.

Click here for a ‘sneak preview’ of Porto: