Scottish stopover awaits Race Crew as Oban announced for Race Route

The Clipper Race is returning to Oban, as the Scottish West Coast town has been announced as a Host Port on the 2025-26 edition route. Following a successful first stopover last year, which saw Race Crew embrace the town’s ‘Festival of Sea’ celebrations, the Clipper Race fleet will once again sail into Oban in the summer of 2026. And according to Host Port Partners, Argyll and Bute Council and Bid4Oban, an even bigger festival of culture is planned for the next realm of ocean racers.  

Oban will form part of Leg 8: The Atlantic Homecoming, where Race Crew will take on a furious downwind battle from North America towards the Race Finish port of Portsmouth, UK. As one of the last stops on the global route and warm hospitality provided from the town’s locals, – it’s the perfect place for warm up celebrations! 

Stirling born Clipper Race Deputy Race Director, Max Rivers, had the chance to sail into his home country last year when he was a Skipper on the Our Isles and Oceans yacht. Max says: “The West Coast of Scotland has some of the best sailing in the world, and it was an honour to share the most gorgeous parts of the nation with my global crew. Having grown up sailing in and around Oban, I relished the opportunity to sail there again with the Clipper Race.  

“Our arrival and departure in the Firth of Lorn didn't disappoint with its amazing wind and scenery, making it truly one of the most memorable sailing locations in the world. And to top it off the town was an amazing host with brilliant events and spectacular hospitality. Oban put on a superb stopover, and I am delighted that our next intake of international crew will get to enjoy all that the town has to offer in 2026.”  

The town quickly became a firm crew favourite on the last edition. During the ten-day stopover in June 2024, crew immersed themselves in all that the town has to offer, including a visit to Dunollie Castle, whisky tastings at Oban Distillery and even fitting in a trip to nearby Lismore. They also took part in Gaelic lessons and a shinty taster session. With such a diverse offering of activities, it was no wonder that the town was awarded Scotland’s Town of the Year in October 2024. 

Building on the successes of the 2023-24 edition, the town is hoping to put on an even bigger festival of culture for Race Crew and their families and supporters next year. Jim Lynch, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council said: “It’s fantastic news that the Clipper Race is returning to Oban. It’s a huge, international event and so is a welcome opportunity to attract people to Oban, and Argyll and Bute more widely, and to bring global focus on the area as a great place to visit and invest.” 

Joining forces with the council to host what is set to be another community showstopper of an event, Andrew Spence, Chief Executive of Bid4Oban, said: “Bid4Oban Ltd is delighted that once again the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has chosen Oban to be a Host Port on its 2025-26 edition.

"Following a successful visit in 2024, along with Argyll and Bute council, Oban demonstrated its expertise in hosting such a prestigious event. The welcome afforded by Oban and its residents was second to none and we look forward to welcoming all the crews from around the world. We will once again showcase Scotland at its best with numerous events and activities planned.” 

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Clipper Ventures Head of Partnerships, Kate Ashley, added: “This partnership with Oban means we will once again see this Scottish ‘Town of the Year’ sit alongside major international cities on our race route. Oban, with its rich maritime history and warm hospitality, is the perfect destination to welcome our adventurous crew after a tough ocean crossing.”  

Along with Oban, other ports that have been announced so far for the Clipper 2025-26 Race are Portsmouth (UK - the event’s Race Start and Finish location), Cape Town (South Africa), Tongyeong (Korea) and Qingdao (China). Further port announcements are due over the few weeks.  

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