SAILING 2026 will be the year that hosts the second edition of the SSL Gold Cup, the Football World Cup… in sailing. This edition will feature the participation of 66nations, with 40 competing in the final series, and an expected audience of 10 million viewers.

Football has its World Cup, sailing now has its own: the SSL GOLD CUP, the ultimate challenge between nations to crown the Nations World Champion. Developed from an initiative by the best sailors on the planet and founders of the Star Sailors League (SSL), the SSL GOLD CUP will be raced in spectacular 14m yachts with a format modelled on the Football World Cup. Like that pinnacle event in football, national teams of 10 athletes will compete for the SSL Gold Cup, each wearing the colours of their country (affiliated with World Sailing: totalling 144 member national authorities).

Like the Football World Cup, the SSL GOLD CUP will bring together sailing’s best athletes who, thanks to the support of the event’s organizers, will enjoy the use of the boats and the training centre for regular scheduled training and the competition. In short, this represents a giant first for sailing!