Cowes Week 2026 - all you need to know

As the world's oldest and largest yachting regatta, Cowes Week is a highlight of the sporting summer on the south coast.

More than 60,000 people are set to gather on the Isle of Wight for seven days of racing on the waters of the Solent, alongside the famous on-shore social scene.

The regatta is celebrating its 200th anniversary, with special races and events held to mark the bicentennial.

More than 630 yachts are taking part in this year's Cowes Week races, with more than 5,000 crew members participating.

They will be taking part in seven days of yacht racing in a range of classes and boat types, from the Grand Prix giants of International Racing Certificate (IRC) class one, to the historic gaffers and one design keelboat classes.

Other longstanding classes include Flying Fifteens, Redwings, Seaview Mermaids and Sunbeams.

Alongside the racing, there are events staged to help develop youth sailing - including the UK Sailing Association's free Try Sailing sessions - and Women's Day on Tuesday, which encourages women to take the helm.

The new Bicentenary Gold Cup will be awarded to the best performing boat over the first three days, to mark the 200th anniversary of the first Cowes Week.

Races are traditionally started by the cannon fired at the start and finish line outside the Royal Yacht Squadron.

The Regatta Village, on Cowes Parade, is one of the best places to watch the class starts each morning.

Racing is scheduled to start from 10:00 or 10:30 depending on the day.

Follow the races on the official app, which has course information, results and standings.

A short walk along the Green in Cowes provides great viewing and the boats can get very close to the shore - wind and tides depending.

In the afternoon, head along the Esplanade towards Egypt Point to watch the fleet as they finish.

To get even closer to the racing action, a spectator boat heads out three times a day. Bookings can be made online.

After a day on the water, crews can mingle at the Competitors' Village and spectators can enjoy the dedicated entertainment areas at the Regatta Village on Cowes Parade.

The festivities are due to begin on Friday evening. It is then open from 12:00 to 22:30 each night, extending to midnight on 7 August.

Meanwhile, Cowes itself offers a range of bars, restaurants, live entertainment and music during the week.

To learn more about the history of Cowes Week, the Cowes Maritime Museum on Beckford Road, and the Classic Boat Museum on Medina Road are worth a visit.

There is also a Maritime Heritage Trail to mark the bicentennial of the regatta.

On 6 August, the Bicentenary Red Funnel Aerial Display takes place at 19:10 - showcasing precision formation flying and historic naval heritage, preceded by a performance by the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines from 18:00.

For the first time in seven years, the traditional fireworks display over the harbour is set to be held as the finale to Cowes Week on Friday, 8 August.

Red Funnel passenger and vehicle ferries run between Southampton and Cowes.

Temporary traffic restrictions are in place in Cowes from Friday, 31 July.

They include no vehicular access to The Parade between 10:00 and 06:00 daily, Queen's Road, Egypt Esplanade, Prince's Esplanade and Woodvale Road operating as one-way westbound, and the evening closure of High Street between Terminus Road and Carvel Lane from 18:00.

Full details can be found on the Isle of Wight Council website.

Cowes Floating Bridge has an extended timetable for the duration of Cowes Week and operates as a pedestrians-only service during the fireworks on Friday.