The Ocean Race moves global headquarters and race starts from Alicante to Porto through 2040

Atlantic relocation to Porto

The Ocean Race announced on 7 October 2026 that it will move its global headquarters and start port to Porto from 2028 through 2040. The agreement, formed in partnership with the City of Porto, Turismo de Portugal, and Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal, awards the Portuguese city three round-the-world race starts in 2030, 2034, and 2038. Porto will also stage a Special Race in 2028 and host at least six other international sailing competitions over the thirteen-year span, including editions of The Ocean Race Europe and Ocean Race Summits. Portugal prevailed in the selection process over competing bids from Spanish locations and the Italian city of Imperia, following an initial fly-by in Matosinhos.

The Ocean Race president Richard Brisius characterized the agreement as a long-term alliance:

Porto and Portugal have a deep maritime identity, a powerful connection with the Atlantic and a growing and important role in sport, science, innovation and the blue economy.

Municipal approval and site development

The Porto Municipal Assembly approved the hosting agreement on Tuesday night, 6 October 2026. The contract outlines municipal expenditures of 22 million euros, with overall program spending expected to reach at least 24 million euros by 2040. The organization will establish its operational headquarters inside the rehabilitated Kasa da Praia building opposite Parque da Cidade, while creating a separate permanent ocean museum along the Porto seafront. During the municipal debate, Economy Councillor Hugo Beirão presented the project as an initiative to build regular programming and maritime infrastructure. The proposal passed despite opposing votes from CDU, Livre, and Bloco de Esquerda, while the Socialist Party and independent deputy Fernando Cardoso abstained.

Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte framed the agreement around the city's coastal heritage:

Porto has always been shaped by its relationship with the ocean. The Atlantic is part of our history and our identity, but, increasingly, it is also part of our future.

Alicante's final start and the 2027 route

Before the relocation takes effect in 2028, Alicante will host the departure of the next round-the-world race on 17 January 2027. This departure represents the sixth consecutive race start staged in Alicante since 2008, preceded by ten days of public activities at the Ocean Live Park. The 2027 course includes a European stopover in Portugal, where the fourth leg from Florida will conclude in Cascais before boats depart for the final finish line at Amaala on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. Portuguese ports have previously hosted race legs, including three consecutive Lisbon stopovers in 2012, 2014, and 2017, while Portuguese sailor Mariana Lobato won the organization's Ocean Race Atlantic event in September 2026.

Spanish reactions and ongoing cooperation

The loss of the start port drew immediate criticism from business and maritime leaders in Alicante. CEV provincial president César Quintanilla and Port Authority of Alicante president Luis Rodríguez both called the move bad news for local economic activity and global visibility after eighteen years of hosting the fleet. Political opposition in the city council criticized Alicante Mayor Luis Barcala for failing to preserve the start through talks with Generalitat Valenciana president Juanfran Pérez Llorca. Barcala responded that discussions are underway to maintain a substantive role for the city, while race organizers stated that collaboration with Alicante will continue through 2040 via museum exhibitions, educational programs, and ocean science initiatives.