Blue Marlin Motel has signed on as a Key West sponsor for the 2026 World Championships, giving teams and fans a sponsor-backed accommodation option right in the thick of things. The motel sits one block off Duval Street in the South Beach area of Key West, with the championships running from 1 to 8 November 2026.
Location is the main selling point. It's one block off Duval, one short block from the Atlantic, and close enough to the race course that competitors and supporters can get back and forth without losing half the day to travel.
The property has fifty-seven guestrooms, each described as large, clean and comfortable. Rooms come with a choice of king, two double or two queen beds, along with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, and cable TV.
The pool is the standout feature: huge and heated, with plenty of deck space around it. It's the obvious place to unwind once the boats are back on the trailers.
Families are welcome at the Blue Marlin, and the front desk keeps trolley tickets on hand for guests wanting to explore further afield. Staff are described as knowledgeable about the island and the wider Keys, useful for visiting race teams unfamiliar with the area.
The motel holds a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence, and housekeeping takes part in several green programmes. It's an easy walk to Key West's restaurants and bars, and centrally placed for the beaches and watersports scene the island is known for.
Blue Marlin joins a growing list of accommodation sponsors lining up behind the 2026 championships. Courtyard by Marriott Key West has already signed on, touting no resort fees and free parking for teams towing trailers, while Ocean Key Resort & Spa continues its long-standing sponsorship from its spot at Zero Duval Street, backing onto Mallory Square.
For New Zealand teams and supporters planning the trip to Key West, accommodation booked close to the pits is one less logistical headache during championship week.
The Blue Marlin Motel is at 1320 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040. Bookings go through the front desk on 305-294-2585.
