The Volvo changes its current three-year cycle between output and output to one of two years after the end of the 2017-18 edition

The Volvo Ocean Race will change its cycle from the current three-year exit to one of two years after the end of the 2017-18 edition, a change that will give more continuity to the race and more commercial value to the teams, sponsors and host cities. The confirmation of the change will mean that there are activities related to the race every year, which will bring a greater engagement with the multiple fans that have spread around the world, a greater continuity of work for all sectors involved and a greater return on investment for the companies that support the teams. The 2017- 18 edition will be released on October 22 from Alicante and will end at the end of June in The Hague (Netherlands). The three subsequent editions will take place in 2019-20, 2021-22 and 2023-24, and the process of selecting host cities for these three editions is already open.

The organization of the race has reached a new long-term agreement with The Sports Consultant to develop discussions with possible host cities, both with which they are already part of the route and with new options for the future. Over the past 20 years, the Volvo Ocean Race has expanded massively compared to its original routes, with only three stops worldwide. The race now visits many more important markets for both the race and its fans; for example, in this edition of 2017-18 the route will pass through a total of 12 host cities.

With this cycle change it will no longer be necessary to have stops in all major markets from the commercial point of view in all editions, so the organization can select routes that provide the exact balance between the sport excellence and the commercial value of the race. The race has a strong commitment to visit North America, South America, Oceania, China and at least five of the most important European markets in at least one in two editions (and in some cases in all editions), providing sponsors with a two-issue commitment before all the details of the routes are finally fixed.