Málaga sets its sights on the 2027 ORC European Championship: up to 80 boats and Pier 2 as the main base for continental sailing

Málaga has already begun the countdown to one of the major events on the European sailing calendar in 2027. From 4 to 12 June, the city will host the 2027 ORC European Championship, an event expected to bring together up to 80 international boats, with Pier 2 at the Port of Málaga serving as the centre of operations.

Entries are now open and the Notice of Race has been published, officially kicking off preparations for owners and crews wishing to compete in the waters off Málaga and the Alboran Sea for one of the continent’s premier cruising sailing titles.

For the Málaga Sailing Cup, the driving force behind Málaga’s bid, the European Championship also represents a significant step up following years of building a regatta that has steadily gained prominence on the national calendar.

Pier 2 will become the heart of the championship

One of the factors that could define the character of the European Championship will be its location. Pier 2 will not merely serve as a mooring point for the fleet.

The announced plans will concentrate the mooring of the boats, participant registration, equipment inspections, measurement, the race office, technical facilities and the championship village in this area.

The location will also place the competition right next to Málaga’s city centre, bringing the crews’ and boats’ activities closer to residents and visitors. The aim goes beyond simply organising the races on the water: it is to transform the city’s seafront into a meeting place centred around sailing during those days.

MAP | Where will the fleet for the 2027 ORC European Championship be based?

Up to 80 international boats heading to Málaga

The organisers estimate that up to 80 international boats could take part. The European Championship will be open to boats with a valid 2027 ORC International certificate that meet the requirements set out in the Notice of Race.

The competition will feature the ORC 0, A, B and C classes, with a European Championship title awarded to the best boat in each class. Specific awards will also be presented for the Corinthian and Female divisions, provided the established participation requirements are met.

It will therefore be a championship of a very different scale to a conventional edition of the Málaga Sailing Cup. The 2027 event presents Málaga with the challenge of hosting boats, owners, sailors, technicians and crews from different countries for over a week.

📝 Would you like to compete in Málaga 2027?

Registration for the 2027 ORC European Championship is now open.

4 April 2027: deadline to benefit from the Early Bird rate.

4 May 2027: scheduled closing date for entries.

21 May 2027: deadline for submitting entries in the Corinthian and Female divisions.

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➡️ REGISTRATION AND OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR THE 2027 ORC EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MÁLAGA

Six days of competition in the waters off Málaga

The programme will begin on 4 June with registration and equipment inspections. A training race and the opening ceremony are scheduled for 6 June, ahead of the start of the official competition.

From 7 to 12 June, the fleet will tackle six days of racing featuring a combination of offshore and inshore races, testing the crews’ speed, tactical skills and navigation abilities.

The programme will conclude on Saturday 12 June with the final inshore races and the closing ceremony.

From the Málaga Sailing Cup to a European Championship

Málaga’s selection was confirmed during the Annual General Assembly of the Offshore Racing Congress held in Dublin in 2025. The Costa del Sol’s bid was led by the organisers of the Málaga Sailing Cup, Nacho Pastor and Daniel Cuevas.

The championship is being organised in cooperation with the Offshore Racing Congress and the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation, with institutional support from the Regional Government of Andalusia, Málaga City Council and the Málaga Port Authority. The Real Club Mediterráneo is also represented on the organising committee.

For the Málaga Sailing Cup, this marks the culmination of a journey that began years ago: moving from establishing its own regatta on the Costa del Sol to taking on the organisation of a continental championship.

Málaga wants to look out towards Europe from the sea

The sporting appeal will not be Málaga’s only selling point. The proximity of Pier 2 to the city centre will allow the championship to have an urban presence that is unusual for major cruising competitions.

The combination of the port, the city, international air links and a race course opening out onto the Mediterranean makes the event more than just a week of competition. For Málaga, it will also be an opportunity to strengthen its position as a sailing destination in southern Europe.

And for Spanish sailing, it offers a fresh chance to welcome one of the major international fleets from the ORC system.

The first step has already been taken. Entries are now open and the journey towards Málaga 2027 has already begun.