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RIYADH — Red Sea Global (RSG) has announced that AMAALA will host the finish of the 15th edition of The Ocean Race in the summer of 2027.
This will mark the first time in the race’s history that sailors will experience racing on the stunning waters of the Red Sea.
The Ocean Race, a fully crewed, offshore sailing race that began in 1973, is known for being the toughest test of a team’s sailing skills and for its commitment to ocean health initiatives.
The event will highlight and celebrate the vibrant coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity that characterize the Red Sea.
“Sailing has been at the heart of life along the Red Sea for centuries. Now, it is set to host the Grand Finale of sailing’s greatest round-the-world challenge,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global.
“The Ocean Race’s ambition to be a catalyst for change that accelerates the protection and restoration of our seas aligns perfectly with our mission to pioneer regenerative tourism.”
The “Triple Bay” marina at AMAALA will include Corallium, a leading marine life institute dedicated to coral science research and ocean conservation, alongside a state-of-the-art, four-story yacht club.
Pagano added, “By bringing this prestigious, purpose-led international event to Saudi shores, we are helping to secure the future health of the Red Sea and the oceans around the world, while nurturing the next generation of Saudi sailors and building a sailing legacy for years to come.”
AMAALA is strategically located in the northern part of the Red Sea, on Saudi Arabia’s west coast. The region is vital for ocean research, particularly concerning coral reef resilience amid the challenges of climate change.
Leading up to the 2027 race finish, The Ocean Race and RSG will collaborate on various initiatives related to ocean science and health, as well as educational programs aimed at youth in the region, in line with the UN Ocean Decade Challenge to restore humanity’s relationship with the oceans.
Johan Salén, Director of The Ocean Race, highlighted the potential for engagement around ocean health at AMAALA. “From our work with RSG over the past three years, we have seen that AMAALA is a destination with tremendous potential for significant engagement around ocean health,” he stated. “We believe we can play a role in raising awareness of the ocean’s critical importance in a region with a young population that is reconnecting with their coastline and celebrating their maritime heritage.”
The Ocean Race 2027 will begin from its home port of Alicante, Spain, in January 2027. The high-tech IMOCA fleet will journey out of the Mediterranean, down the Atlantic, and into the Southern Ocean before rounding Cape Horn and returning to Europe via the Americas. Up to six additional stopovers will complete the race course, with the final leg leading to AMAALA covering approximately 135 nautical miles after a transit through the Suez Canal.
AMAALA is designed to foster meaningful interactions between people and nature while prioritizing the protection and restoration of fragile ecosystems in the Red Sea. The initiative includes coral reef restoration and the establishment of new mangrove forests, with RSG aiming for a 30% net conservation benefit at AMAALA by 2040.
This announcement of the finish venue for the 2027 race follows the confirmation of the race route for The Ocean Race Europe and the introduction of a new event, The Ocean Race Atlantic: New York to Barcelona. The Ocean Race is entering a new “always on” era, with ongoing ocean health initiatives and these additional races enriching the main, iconic around-the-world event.
