Lanzarote steps into the spotlight
Two brand-new venues, a bold geographic shift, and a fleet brimming with fresh talent. The 52 Super Series has confirmed its 2026 calendar, and the season shapes up as one of the most ambitious in the circuit's history.
The headline addition is Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, which will host not one but two consecutive regattas in the heart of the season. It marks the first time the world's premier monohull grand prix circuit has ventured to the island, and the reasoning is straightforward: as summer reliability in the Mediterranean becomes increasingly inconsistent, Lanzarote's persistent tradewinds and open-ocean wave conditions offer exactly the kind of environment that top-flight racing demands.
The island is no stranger to elite competition, having built a strong reputation as a host of Olympic class events and international regattas. Rafael Lasso Lorenzo, manager of Marina Rubicón, welcomed the announcement warmly. "Lanzarote has perfect sailing conditions year-round," he said. "Hosting the 52 Super Series is a great opportunity to showcase this."
The five-regatta schedule spans European and Atlantic waters from May through to October. The season opens at Puerto Portals in Mallorca from 4 to 9 May, a well-established starting point on the Bay of Palma. The fleet then travels to Porto Cervo in Sardinia for the Rolex TP52 World Championship, hosted by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 15 to 20 June. It will be the first time the Worlds have returned to that venue in 15 years.
July brings the first of Lanzarote's two regattas, staged at Marina Rubicón in the island's south from 20 to 25 July. Just over a month later, from 24 to 29 August, the fleet reconvenes at Puerto Calero, a venue with a strong following among top-level professionals.
For Puerto Calero's CEO, José Juan Calero, the timing carries particular meaning. "It is the first year of our newly extended concession period," he said. "We'll be making major investments in infrastructure upgrades and innovation, and this event will set the tone for that future."
The season concludes in Valencia from 5 to 10 October, returning to the former America's Cup base for what organisers expect will be another dramatic finale. The 2023 edition came down to the very last race, and the port city's combination of competitive sailing and a prestigious end-of-season prizegiving makes it a fitting close to the campaign.
The fleet enters 2026 in healthy condition. While American Magic Quantum Racing and Phoenix both stepped away at the end of 2025, organisers anticipate a starting line of between 13 and 15 boats, with new programmes arriving to fill the gap.
A Swedish challenge is being assembled under the leadership of Joakim Sundberg, with a new Botín Partners TP52 currently under construction at King Marine. Phoenix has found a new home with Brazil's Caballo Loco Sailing Team, which has acquired the boat and appointed Brazilian champion Jorge Zarif to call tactics.
Now well into its second decade, the 52 Super Series continues to set the benchmark for inshore grand prix racing. Iconic venues, a committed and growing fleet, and an increasingly adventurous approach to the calendar all reinforce why the circuit is regarded as the pinnacle of monohull competition. With Lanzarote at its centre, the 2026 season looks set to add another compelling chapter.
