Festival expands

Entries have opened for Festival of Sails 2027, with the Australian Yachting Championship joining an expanded line-up of national and state title events in Geelong from 22 to 26 January.

Photography by Salty Dingo

22 July 2026

The 2027 Festival of Sails will be headlined by the Australian Yachting Championship and will be hosted in partnership with Australian Sailing and Sandringham Yacht Club.

It will be staged alongside the Australian Sports Boat Association National Championship and the S80 Victorian Championship.

Festival of Sails Chair Chris Manton said the addition of the Australian Yachting Championship reflected the quality of racing and event management offered at the regatta.

“We’re incredibly proud to welcome the Australian Yachting Championship to Geelong next year,” Manton said.

The Festival of Sails fleet spreads across Corio Bay with the Melbourne skyline on the horizon.

Racing will begin on 22 January with the opening rounds of the Australian Yachting Championship at Sandringham Yacht Club.

A traditional tall ship is moored beside the Festival of Sails waterfront precinct in Geelong, with yachts and event facilities nearby.

Festival of Sails Geelong will run 22 to 26 January 2027.

A large fleet of racing yachts with white and brightly coloured spinnakers sails across Corio Bay during the Festival of Sails.

“It’s a tremendous endorsement of the quality of racing on Corio Bay, along with the dedication of our volunteers, officials and race management team.”

Racing will begin on 22 January with the opening rounds of the Australian Yachting Championship at Sandringham Yacht Club.

The fleet will then contest the Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race on 23 January, before racing continues on Corio Bay.

Hosted by Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Festival of Sails attracts hundreds of yachts and thousands of sailors from Australia and overseas each year.

Organisers have also introduced several initiatives for 2027 following feedback from competitors.

A new Sailors Lounge and bar inside the Victorian Sailing Centre will provide skippers and crew with a dedicated post-racing space overlooking the Regatta Village and Main Stage.

Registered competitors will receive environmentally friendly Festival wristbands, providing access to the event site and Sailors Lounge throughout the regatta.

A marine exhibition will showcase industry brands and services, while official Festival apparel will be available with customisable boat and crew names.

A racing yacht with crew in red shirts sails towards the camera beneath a large blue spinnaker on Corio Bay.

The yacht Clockwork heels through choppy water with crew seated along the rail beneath black sails.

Sailors operate the twin helms and deck controls of a dark-hulled yacht during racing on Corio Bay.

The crew of Shaw Thing celebrates at the dock after a day of racing in Geelong.

rimaran Stiggin drives through the fleet during Festival of Sails racing on Corio Bay.

Crews make sail adjustments as the fleet converges during racing off Geelong.

Competitors will also be able to pre-order grab-and-go lunch packs for race mornings.

“We’ve listened carefully to competitor feedback and introduced a range of improvements for 2027,” Manton said.

“Whether it’s the new Sailors Lounge, customised official apparel or grab-and-go lunch packs, it’s all about making the Festival experience even better for skippers and crew.”

The shoreside program will include three nights of live entertainment, waterfront food and beverage venues and the SheSails Women on Water Breakfast, presented by Diana Taylor Legal Consulting.

“We want competitors to leave Geelong remembering not just the racing, but the entire experience,” Manton said.

“It’s shaping up to be another outstanding championship year for the Festival of Sails.”

The Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race was first held in 1844 and remains Australia’s oldest continuously contested sporting event.

Festival of Sails 2027 is supported by the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria, the City of Greater Geelong, presenting partner TLC Healthcare and Australian Sailing.

Competitor entries are now open and the Notice of Race has been released.

Celebrating on shore at the Festival of Sails.

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A band performs on stage at night before a packed crowd during the Festival of Sails in Geelong. Pic: Brian Purnell.

Event details

Event: Festival of Sails 2027
Dates: 22–26 January 2027
Location: Geelong and Corio Bay, Victoria
Host club: Royal Geelong Yacht Club
Championships: Australian Yachting Championship, Australian Sports Boat Association National Championship and S80 Victorian Championship
Feature race: Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race

festivalofsails.com.au

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