Sailing race returns to Oban in 2026

Clipper Race sails back into Oban for 2026

After a hugely successful first stopover to Oban in 2024, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has officially announced the town will once again be a Host Port in the summer of 2026.

In the 2025-2026 race edition, Oban will form part of the final leg of the race (The Atlantic Homecoming) where Race Crew will sail from North America towards the Race Finish in Portsmouth. Ahead of the finish line, a 200-strong crew from 50 different nationalities will make their way to the coastal town for some warm-up celebrations with Oban's "Festival of the Sea", hosted by partners Argyll & Bute Council and Bid4Oban. 

This news follows the successful stop last year when Oban appeared on the same international route as major cities such as Cape Town, Washington DC and Qingdao (China). 

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2023-2024. Credit Brian Carlin, 16 Degrees South

A successful first stopover

According to the press release from Argyll & Bute Council, it's estimated that hosting the 2023-24 edition of the race gave a boost of £2 million in revenue to Oban from Clipper Race crew and their families alone, with the thousands of additional visitors sure to have driven further economic impact.

Across the 10 days crew spent in town, they supported local pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops as well as making visits out to places like the Isles of Mull and Iona, Kilmartin, and Inverary. 

Crew and visitors alike could also enjoy a Food and Drink village, a sell-out Skerryvore concert and a final send off from the Oban Pipe Band. 

Read more about the unforgettable stopover with a blog from our Regional Director David Adams McGilp who welcomed crews into town last year. 

David (second from left) welcoming the Punta Del Este Crew. Credit: Martin Shields