The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) and the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) have confirmed a format change for the 2026 Bermuda Gold Cup, scheduled to run from 13 to 18 October in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Shifts in the event's sponsorship landscape have driven organisers to restructure this year's regatta. For the past two years, a dedicated women's competition has run alongside the historic Open Gold Cup, giving female competitors a prominent platform on the world stage. Current financial realities mean that standalone event will not proceed in 2026, though both the RBYC and the WMRT have made their commitment to its return in 2027 clear.
The regatta moves to an integrated 12-team Bermuda Gold Cup format for 2026. Organisers have confirmed that official invitations will be extended to leading international women skippers, ensuring they continue to compete at the highest level of WMRT competition.
P/C Somers Kempe, speaking on behalf of the organisers, said the club's direction had not shifted despite the structural change. "The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club has prided itself on being at the forefront of supporting the growth of women's match racing," said Kempe. "While commercial realities require us to be flexible this year, our core values have not changed. Ensuring that the world's best female skippers have a prominent place on the starting line in Bermuda this October remains a top priority for us."
WMRT Executive Director James Pleasance also addressed the change. "The Bermuda Gold Cup is one of the most prestigious events on the World Match Racing Tour, and its commitment to advancing women's match racing has been exemplary," said Pleasance. "While the economic climate has presented challenges this year for the Bermuda Women's Match Race, we support RBYC's approach to integrate top female skippers into the amended 12-team format for the Bermuda Gold Cup while we collectively focus on bringing the standalone women's event back to the calendar next year."
Full details of the event format and official schedule will be released in the coming week with the publication of the Notice of Race. Official invitations will follow shortly after.
Skippers wishing to be considered for an invitation can contact the RBYC Sailing Office at sailing@rbyc.bm.
