World Sailing Announces Hosts and New World Olympic Class Championships format 2026-2027

World Sailing has selected the cities of Valencia (Spain) and Gdynia (Poland) as the headquarters of the World Sailing Championships 2026-2027, which for the first time will have a divided format.

The Real Club Náutico Valencia will host the individual class tests (ILCA 6 and 7, iQFOiL M and F and Formula Kite), while Marina Gdynia will host the double tests (470 Joint, Nacra 17, 49er and 49er FX). The championships will serve as the first Olympic classification for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. In addition, both headquarters will receive inclusive sailing tests.

Both cities have made sustainability a high priority for Olympic Class World Championships, with many initiatives that align with World Sailing's 2030 Sustainability Agenda. This includes prioritizing gender equality, recycling programmes, water conservation and the use of green energy.

Valencia has been elected European Green Capital 2024, highlighting the importance of sustainability and a number of initiatives already under way. Valencia has also become the first city in the world to verify and certify the carbon footprint of its tourism activity and the RCNV is the first club in Spain to have the S brand of Sustainability recognized by the national tourism authority.

The World Vela Championship of Valencia will be organized in collaboration with the Generalitat Valenciana, the City Council of Valencia, the Valencian Vela Federation and the Royal Spanish Vela Federation.