The sailing season in Monaco does not end with summer. On 5 November 2026, the Yacht Club de Monaco opens a new edition of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, a winter racing programme that continues through March 2027.
The series allows European crews to maintain intensive race practice throughout the winter and use Monaco as a training base ahead of the next major international sailing season.
The 2026–2027 programme consists of four acts, culminating in the Primo Cup – Trophée UBS in March.
Four Acts from November to March
The official Yacht Club de Monaco calendar confirms four rounds of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series:
- Act I — 5–8 November 2026;
- Act II — 10–13 December 2026;
- Act III — 11–14 February 2027;
- Act IV — Primo Cup – Trophée UBS, 10–14 March 2027.
The events are based at the Yacht Club de Monaco on Quai Louis II.
The November event is therefore not an isolated regatta but the opening round of a complete winter series. Consistency across individual races and successive acts plays an important role in the overall sporting picture, with the final round incorporated into the Primo Cup – Trophée UBS.
Current dates, race documents and results are available on the official Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series page.
J/70: The Main Class of the Winter Series
Today, the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series is closely associated with the J/70 class.
The J/70 is a modern keelboat designed for one-design racing, meaning crews compete on boats built to the same class rules.
This places greater emphasis on starting technique, tactical decisions, course selection, precise manoeuvres and crew coordination rather than differences in yacht design.
The Yacht Club de Monaco identifies the J/70 as one of the central one-design classes in its sporting programme. Since 2014, Monaco’s J/70 fleet has grown significantly and has become one of the most prominent fleets in the Mediterranean.
More information is available on the official Yacht Club de Monaco J/70 page.
Why Does the Series Take Place in Winter?
The Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series was launched in 2013. The programme initially developed around the Melges 20 class before the J/70 became its central focus.
The principle remains the same: to give European sailing teams the opportunity to continue racing and training rather than taking a long break between summer seasons.
For crews, the Monaco series provides regular competition, opportunities to test boat settings and intensive tactical training against a strong international fleet.
For Monaco, it extends active sporting life on the water well beyond the conventional summer yachting calendar.
Act I — 5–8 November 2026
The first opportunity to follow the new season is Act I from 5 to 8 November 2026.
The Yacht Club de Monaco publishes the Notice of Race, official communications, race documents and results through the event page and dedicated official notice board.
The Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series is primarily a sporting competition rather than a yacht show or large public festival. Much of the operational programme is intended for registered crews.
Visitors should therefore not assume unrestricted access to sporting and technical areas inside the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Where Can You Watch the Racing?
It is nevertheless possible to follow the racing without entering the Yacht Club itself.
The Yacht Club de Monaco identifies several viewing areas for spectators:
- Monaco’s new breakwater;
- the harbour quays;
- elevated viewpoints overlooking the bay.
The precise racecourse depends on wind conditions, weather and race committee decisions, so the best viewing position can change during the day.
After each act, YCM publishes race results, photographs and videos through its official channels.
Primo Cup – Trophée UBS Closes the Winter Season
The fourth and final act takes place from 10 to 14 March 2027 as part of the Primo Cup – Trophée UBS.
The Primo Cup occupies a special place in the Yacht Club de Monaco calendar and brings together international crews competing in one-design classes.
For Winter Series participants, the March meeting also represents the culmination of several months of winter racing and preparation.
A Different Side of Yachting in Monaco
The Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series reveals a different aspect of Monaco’s maritime life from the Monaco Yacht Show and the summer cruising season.
During autumn and winter, the focus shifts from superyachts and large exhibition events towards sports sailing, training and short, tactical races between international crews.
This makes the series relevant not only to competitors but also to visitors interested in competitive sailing in the Mediterranean.
If You Are in Monaco During a Regatta
For visitors to the Principality, the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series can add a sporting dimension to an autumn or winter stay.
For Yacht ServiceAzur clients, the events may also form part of a wider yachting programme around Monaco and the eastern French Riviera.
Yacht charter, navigation routes or plans to watch the racing from the water must, however, be arranged separately according to weather conditions, navigation restrictions and the position of the racecourse.
Safety requirements and organisers’ instructions always take priority.
What to Check Before Visiting
Before each act, check the latest Yacht Club de Monaco information, as race programmes may change depending on weather and decisions by the race committee.
- the latest Notice of Race and official notices;
- provisional race times;
- results and programme changes;
- weather conditions in Monaco Bay;
- recommended spectator viewpoints.
Act I on 5–8 November opens a winter racing calendar extending for almost five months and concluding with the Primo Cup – Trophée UBS in March 2027.
