We’re off to the Emerald City!

Seattle confirmed as Host Port and Team Partner for tenth anniversary visit 

Seattle is returning to the Clipper 2025-26 Race as a Host Port and Team Partner, marking the tenth anniversary of the city first hosting the race.  

Clipper Race yachts in port on the 2023-24 edition

When the race arrives in Seattle in spring 2026, it will be the fifth time the city and Race Partner Seattle Sports Commission has welcomed the Clipper Race fleet following a relentless race across the North Pacific Ocean. This edition celebrates ten-years of partnership, and five visits, making Seattle the most featured US city on the Clipper Race route.  

In addition to hosting a stopover, the city will also be represented on the eleven-month circumnavigation with a Seattle team that will compete in the toughest endurance challenge on the planet while waving the flag for the city.  

Seattle yacht on the 2017-18 edition

The Port of Seattle will host the Clipper Race fleet at Bell Harbor Marina for the duration of its stay, where the newly redeveloped waterfront will be just steps from the marina the global adventurers will call home for their week-long stop. 

The Washington State stopover will be the final port of call for crew competing on Leg 6: The Mighty Pacific. Known as ‘The Big One’, this stage of the race tests Race Crew’s physical and mental endurance. When crossing the North Pacific, the crew can face Hurricane Force winds, towering waves and freezing temperatures. Teams must battle a feeling of true isolation as on this stretch of ocean, they will often be closer to astronauts on the international space station than other humans on land.   

“Hosting an international sailing race in Seattle is a great fit for the boating passion in our region and compliments our global event portfolio," said Seattle Sports Commission President and CEO Beth Knox.

“Seattle is a world-class destination and along with the Port of Seattle and Visit Seattle, we are proud to welcome the Clipper Race crew with an extraordinary Seattle experience as we celebrate our 10th anniversary of first hosting the Clipper Race.”    

Seattle makes for an idyllic stopover location for Clipper Race teams. Nestled on the shores of the Puget Sound and surrounded by mountainous terrain, the approach to the Emerald City by boat is majestic. During the stopover, Seattle offers endless opportunities to take in nature and explore the surrounding National Parks, take a walk through the iconic Pike Place market and visit the Space Needle. 

Nine Washington State locals have so far signed up to compete on various legs of the Clipper 2025-26 Race. Two of these are set to complete the full circumnavigation, one further to sail into their home state on Leg 6 – and another waving goodbye as they embark on the Americas Coast to Coast Leg (Leg 7).    

Says Kate Ashley, Clipper Race Head of Partnerships: “On our upcoming edition we will be celebrating ten years of collaboration with Seattle – so it’s only fitting that Seattle Sports Commission returns with both a Host Port and Team entry.

This multi-national team will fly the flag into 14 destinations around the world – and will receive the homecoming of all homecomings when it arrives in Seattle in 2026.   

“With four previous stops – we know that Seattle and our partners, Seattle Sports Commission make the very best hosts for international visitors – which is especially welcomed after a tough ocean crossing. We have nine Race Crew signed up hailing from Washington State and we hope that the news we are coming back to Seattle may inspire more locals to sign up to an adventure of a lifetime and represent the city around the world.”  

The year 2026 will be a huge year of international sport for Seattle and Clipper Race Partner, Seattle Sports Commission, with the city set to host six FIFA World Cup matches just two months after welcoming the Clipper Race fleet.  

Along with Seattle, 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), Qingdao (China), Tongyeong (Korea) and Oban (Scotland).