For the first time since 2018, The Ocean Race will return to Auckland in 2027, bringing the world’s premier around-the-world sailing competition back to one of offshore racing’s most historic destinations.
The Southern Ocean stopover, scheduled between February and March 2027, will mark the 11th time Auckland has welcomed the fleet — a milestone that also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the race’s first arrival into the Hauraki Gulf during the original Whitbread era.
To commemorate the occasion, organisers unveiled a special anniversary logo during a waterfront media launch at Viaduct Harbour, reinforcing the enduring relationship between New Zealand and one of sailing’s most demanding competitions.
Set against the backdrop of the legendary Steinlager 2, Race Chairman Richard Brisius reflected on Auckland’s deep-rooted connection to offshore sailing culture and the generations of Kiwi sailors, designers and innovators who have shaped the event’s history.
Skippered by the late Sir Peter Blake, Steinlager 2 remains one of the most iconic yachts in offshore racing history after securing victory in all six legs of the 1989-90 Whitbread Round the World Race — a feat that still stands unmatched. Its presence at the launch served as a symbolic bridge between the race’s historic legacy and its modern future
The 2027 edition will also represent a technological turning point for the race, becoming the first fully foiling IMOCA edition in history. The new generation of 60-foot monohulls, capable of exceeding 30 knots, will introduce an entirely new level of speed and spectacle to offshore competition, transforming the nature of ocean racing while maintaining the endurance and teamwork that define the event.
The fleet is expected to arrive in Auckland around 20–21 February 2027 after completing the longest opening leg in race history — a 14,000-nautical-mile journey from Alicante through the Atlantic Ocean, around Cape Horn and across the Southern Ocean. A Coastal Race is scheduled for 6 March, followed by Pro-Am racing on 11 March, before the fleet departs New Zealand on 14 March.
At the heart of the stopover will be The Ocean Live Park, a free public waterfront precinct designed to immerse fans in the world of offshore sailing. Located throughout Viaduct Harbour, the activation will offer visitors unprecedented access to race teams, cutting-edge IMOCA technology and behind-the-scenes insight into life at sea.
The New Zealand Government has confirmed support for the event through its Major Events Fund, recognising the international visibility and economic impact associated with hosting a global sporting spectacle of this scale. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown described the race as a natural fit for the City of Sails, highlighting its ability to energise the waterfront while reinforcing Auckland’s global sailing identity.
Organisers also announced a new partnership with Sir Peter Blake Trust as the official charity partner of the Auckland stopover. The collaboration aims to continue Blake’s environmental legacy by supporting ocean conservation initiatives and inspiring future generations of young ocean advocates.
Adding further momentum to the build-up, a new documentary series titled Hell or High Water has been confirmed in partnership with Sky New Zealand and supported by NZ On Air. Produced by Kevin & Co, the three-part series will chronicle 50 years of The Ocean Race, from its Whitbread beginnings to the modern foiling IMOCA era, while celebrating New Zealand’s defining role in shaping the sport.
As The Ocean Race prepares to return to Auckland, the 2027 stopover is set to become more than just a sporting event — it will serve as a celebration of offshore sailing heritage, technological evolution and New Zealand’s enduring influence on the global stage of ocean racing.
