Porto Cervo is set for two consecutive weeks of world-class sailing as the Costa Smeralda welcomes the 36th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the 23rd Rolex Swan Cup in September 2026.
The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) is preparing to host two of the most prestigious events on the international sailing calendar, bringing together some of the world’s most competitive maxi yachts and an exceptional fleet of Nautor Swan yachts.
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will take place from 6 to 12 September, followed by the Rolex Swan Cup from 13 to 19 September. Together, the events will reinforce Porto Cervo’s position as one of the world’s leading destinations for high-level sailing.
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup: racing at the highest level
Organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with the International Maxi Association (IMA) and with the support of Rolex, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has been a cornerstone of maxi yacht racing for more than four decades.
The 2026 provisional entry list includes almost 40 yachts over 60 feet, with entries still open. Two world titles will be contested: the Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship and the Rolex IMA Maxi Grand Prix World Championship.
Defending champions include David Leuschen and Chris Flowers, returning with their WallyCento Galateia in the Maxi 1 class, while YCCS member Giovanni Lombardi Stronati will defend the Maxi Grand Prix title with Django 7X, his wallyrocket71.
The Maxi 1 fleet is expected to deliver intense competition, with Galateia facing established rivals including Leopard 3, V, Magic Carpet E, Tilakkhana, My Song, Capricorno and Deep Blue.
In Maxi Grand Prix, Django 7X will compete against Jolt, Bella Mente, Proteus, Jethou and Balthasar. The class will also welcome the competitive debut of Northstar III, the newly launched JV76 owned by YCCS member Peter Dubens.
A first for the multihull fleet
Multihulls will add another dimension to this year’s competition, with six entries: Allegra, Coco de Mer, Gaea, Highland Fling 18, Layla and Sophia.
Notably, Sophia will become the first trimaran ever to compete in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, marking another chapter in the evolution of the event.
Racing will combine coastal courses through the islands and channels of the La Maddalena Archipelago with windward-leeward races in the waters off Porto Cervo. The combination creates a demanding test of strategy, boat handling and crew performance.
Rolex Swan Cup celebrates 60 years of Nautor Swan
Immediately following the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Porto Cervo will welcome the 23rd Rolex Swan Cup, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with Nautor Swan and supported by Rolex, title sponsor of the event since 1984.
The 2026 edition will be particularly significant as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of Nautor Swan.
The fleet has already reached 167 entries, just three short of the event’s maximum capacity of 170 yachts.
It will also represent an extraordinary journey through the history of the Finnish yacht builder, with yachts spanning six decades of design and development.
At one end of the fleet will be Tarantella, the restored Swan 36-001 that launched Nautor Swan’s production history in 1966. At the other will be the latest generation of yachts, including the Swan 128s Be Cool and Raijin and the new Swan 80 Elvi.
Three generations of Swan racing
The Rolex Swan Cup fleet will be divided into three principal categories reflecting the evolution of the Nautor Swan brand.
ClubSwan Racing will feature the One Design classes, including ClubSwan 50, ClubSwan 43, ClubSwan 42, ClubSwan 36, ClubSwan 28 and Swan 45.
ClubSwan Legacy will bring together historic Swan yachts designed by renowned naval architects including Sparkman & Stephens, Ron Holland and German Frers.
Meanwhile, ClubSwan Spirit will showcase contemporary models, including a dedicated division for owners wishing to race their yachts in predominantly cruising configuration.
A special link between the two events will be Shirlaf, Giuseppe Puttini’s Swan 65. Launched in 1976, the yacht will celebrate her 50th anniversary by competing in both the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Rolex Swan Cup.
Porto Cervo’s role in international sailing
Beyond the racing itself, the two-week programme highlights the importance of Porto Cervo and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda as a global sailing destination.
The YCCS will continue its 2026 sporting calendar into October with the J/70 Cup and Italian Championship, scheduled for 2–4 October.
By extending major international events beyond the traditional summer season, the club is helping reinforce Porto Cervo’s position as a year-round centre for competitive sailing while generating continued economic and tourism benefits for the Costa Smeralda.
With elite maxi yachts, historic Swan designs, cutting-edge One Design fleets and two weeks of racing in the spectacular waters of northern Sardinia, September 2026 promises to be another landmark month for international sailing in Porto Cervo.
