37th Marmaris International Race Week: Fierce Competition at Sea, Festival Spirit Ashore

PRESS RELEASE | OCTOBER 2026

37th Marmaris International Race Week: Fierce Competition at Sea, Festival Spirit Ashore

With more than 100 boats and over 1,000 sailors expected, the event will take place in Marmaris from 24 to 30 October 2026. The Race Village, live broadcasts and social events will bring the excitement of racing to the entire town.

Organised by Marmaris International Yacht Club (MIYC), the 37th Marmaris International Race Week will welcome sailors from around the world to Marmaris from 24 to 30 October 2026.

One of the Eastern Mediterranean’s longest-running international sailing events, Race Week is expected to attract more than 100 boats and over 1,000 sailors this year. In addition to serving as a major gathering point for the international sailing community, the event aims to make a significant contribution to sports tourism, the local economy and the international profile of Marmaris.

A Sailing Tradition Dating Back to 1989

First held in 1989, Marmaris International Race Week has become one of Türkiye’s leading international yacht racing events over its 37-year history.

Bringing professional and amateur sailors from different countries together on the same racecourses each year, the event has earned a distinctive place on the international sailing calendar not only for its sporting competition but also for its ability to connect people from different cultures.

Marmaris’s natural beauty, variable wind conditions and technically demanding racecourses make the event appealing to experienced racing crews and international sailing enthusiasts alike.

Five Days of Racing in Marmaris Bay

Beginning on Monday, 26 October, crews will compete over five days on coastal and offshore courses in Marmaris Bay and the surrounding waters.

With racing yachts and charter boats of varying performance characteristics taking part, the competition will put crews’ tactical skills, boat handling and teamwork to the test.

Social gatherings and prize-giving ceremonies throughout the week will also offer sailors from different countries opportunities to connect and share their passion for maritime culture.

Race Week Becomes a Town-Wide Festival

Over the past two years, a new approach to organising Marmaris International Race Week has transformed it from an event taking place solely at sea into an international sailing festival that embraces the entire town.

The Race Village, established in the Mendirek area in the heart of Marmaris, has become the event’s social and cultural hub. Activities, prize-giving ceremonies and social gatherings take place here throughout the week, bringing competitors, local residents and visitors together.

Live coverage of the races on social media, together with large screens installed in the town centre, brings the action ashore. Residents and tourists can follow the racing and share in the excitement, even if they have no previous connection to the sport.

The activity around the Race Village also strengthens the connection between participants and the town centre, generating additional opportunities for local businesses and tourism operators.

Through this approach, Marmaris International Race Week is evolving beyond a competition for participating crews into an international event woven into everyday town life, open to the public and creating a festival atmosphere across Marmaris.

Boosting Marmaris’s International Sports Tourism Profile

Beyond its sporting significance, Marmaris International Race Week plays an important role in the regional economy and tourism sector.

Sailors, support teams, event staff and visitors generate activity for accommodation providers, restaurants, marinas and businesses serving the marine industry.

Held towards the end of the tourism season, the event helps position Marmaris not only as a summer holiday destination but also as a host of major international sporting events.

In particular, bringing the Race Village into the town centre and making the racing accessible to the public extends the event’s economic and social impact well beyond the competing crews.

The Ambition: Establishing Marmaris as a Leading International Sailing Hub

Marmaris International Yacht Club aims to raise the international profile of this long-established event, attract more racing teams from around the world and further strengthen the region’s position in sailing.

Through national and international regattas, youth training activities and maritime events held throughout the year, the club continues to foster a lasting sailing culture in Marmaris.

The event’s growing integration with the town is a key part of the club’s vision to bring sailing to wider audiences and establish Marmaris as one of the international sailing community’s leading destinations.

The 37th Marmaris International Race Week is set to combine top-level competition at sea, a festive atmosphere ashore and international friendship for another memorable week in Marmaris.

EVENT INFORMATION

Dates: 24–30 October 2026

Location: Marmaris, Muğla, Türkiye

Organiser: Marmaris International Yacht Club (MIYC)

Expected participation: More than 100 boats and over 1,000 sailors

Race Village: Mendirek, Marmaris town centre

Official website: www.miyc.org

Contact: miyc@miyc.org