Spectator Guide
Everything you need to know to watch the Team Racing World Championship 2026 — free, on the water, right in the middle of Stockholm.
Information
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Free entry — no ticket, no registration
12–16 August 2026
Race Village: Holger Bloms Plats, Norr Mälarstrand, Kungsholmen
Open daily, 10:00–17:00
Racing runs continuously from around 09:30 each day, weather permitting
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The Race Village, Holger Bloms Plats Your base for the week. Big screens with live tracking, food and drink, shopping, and the closest view of the finish. Open daily 10:00–17:00.
The Deck The floating heart of the Race Village and one of the best viewing positions on the whole course. This is also where the sailors come ashore each afternoon after racing — a good spot to see the crews up close.
Norr Mälarstrand promenade The promenade runs the full length of the race course, so you can walk or cycle alongside the action for free, at any point along the shore — not just from the Race Village.
From the water Stockholm by Boat runs sightseeing cruises that bring you close to the racing on Riddarfjärden, for those who want to watch from the water itself.
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The course sits just off Norr Mälarstrand, roughly 380 × 350 metres — small enough that every start, mark rounding and umpire call happens within sight of the quayside. Umpires follow every race on the water and call penalties immediately, so you see the result as it happens, not after a review.
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Two teams of two boats race each other at the same time, and it's the position of the last boat that decides the winner — so the fastest boat on the water isn't always the one that matters. Crews block, slow and out-manoeuvre their opponents in tactical duels decided in seconds. All boats are identical and assigned by lot, so the racing comes down to skill alone. Around 120–130 short races are sailed across the week, with up to three matches running at once — and since there's no scheduled lunch break, you can arrive at any time and walk straight into live racing.
The best team racing crews from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the Bahamas, the USA, Ireland, Great Britain, Denmark, Finland and Sweden compete in front of Stockholm City Hall.
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Metro: Rådhuset station (blue line), a short walk to the Race Village
Bus: to Kungsholmstorg
On foot or by bike: via the Norr Mälarstrand promenade — one of the finest walks in Stockholm, with free viewing the whole way
Map: Click here
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10:00–16:00 · Teams arrive and register The competing nations come ashore and the boats are prepared. The Race Village opens for visitors.
During the day · Practice sailing and on-water rehearsals Crews take their allocated practice slots while the race management team runs through safety boats, committee vessels and mark-laying. No official racing, but plenty to watch.
18:00 · Opening Ceremony The championship is formally opened at the Race Village.
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From 07:00 · The course is laid Marks, safety boats and the umpire fleet take their positions on Riddarfjärden.
09:30 · First race of the championship Racing then continues without interruption until approx. 17:00–18:30, depending on wind and schedule.
15:30–17:30 · World Championship Stage: Water, the City and Sustainable Events How do you run a world championship on a bay that is also the drinking water supply for two million people? Stena Recycling, the City of Stockholm, Ports of Stockholm, Vattenresurs and Voice of the Ocean on logistics, waste, ports and water. In English, open to all. Free, no registration required.
Approx. 17:00 · After Sail at The Deck Meet the sailors, umpires and organisers as they come ashore. Open to everyone.
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09:30 · First race Continuous racing through the day until approx. 17:00–18:30.
12:00–14:00 · World Championship Stage: Sailing and Sustainability Innovation for the future of boating — sustainable food at major events with Martin & Servera, materials and longevity with Gransegel and Seldén, and electrification on the water with X Shore. In English, open to all. Free, no registration required.
Approx. 17:00 · After Sail at The Deck
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09:30 · First race The decisive qualifying day. Continuous racing until approx. 17:00–18:30.
Approx. 17:00 · After Sail and live music at The Deck The busiest evening of the week in the Race Village.
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09:30 · First race The knockout stage begins.
During the day · Bronze Medal Match and the World Championship Final The last races of the championship, sailed metres from the quayside. The best free seat in Stockholm.
Approx. 16:00 · Prize Giving Ceremony Held at the Race Village immediately after racing, with refreshments. Open to the public.
Day by day
Explore the Race Village
Öjbro Vantfabrik
Blankets, socks and mittens inspired by Nordic cultural heritage, made by a family-owned company in western Sweden.
Sänkdalens Gård
Locally produced ice cream made with fresh milk from Swedish dairy farms. A true Swedish summer treat.
Blå Mat & Nordic SeaFarm
What does the future taste like? Sustainable food from the sea, including Swedish seaweed — perhaps your new favourite snack.
Stockholm by Boat
Watch the racing from the water on a sightseeing cruise that brings you close to the action on Riddarfjärden.
Cake
Test ride the future of electric mobility — award-winning lightweight electric motorcycles, quiet and built for the future.
Sätila of Sweden
Swedish craftsmanship since 1896 — knitted hats, sweaters and accessories in timeless Scandinavian design.
Fruktaffären – Ninos & Silvia
Creative Swedish street food, from meatball wraps to modern takes on traditional favourites.
Safety & Navigationsgruppen
Meet experts in navigation and maritime safety and learn how to be a safer skipper on Swedish waters.
LIVE
Visit Gamla Stan
Visit Gamla Stan is run by Gamla Stans Företagarförening, the local business association for Stockholm's old town — the city's historic heart since 1252. They bring together the shops, restaurants, cafés, guides and craftspeople of Gamla Stan, just a short walk from the Race Village, and help visitors find their way to cobbled streets, the Royal Palace and centuries of history between races.
Good to know
It's free — no ticket, no registration, for the racing, the Race Village, or the World Championship Stage sessions
There's no scheduled lunch break — racing runs continuously, so any time of day works
Racing is weather dependent — check ViewRegatta or Skärgårdsradion (105.9 MHz) before you head out on marginal-wind days
Questions? regattaoffice.tr2026@gsys.nu
The Team Racing World Championship 2026 is organised by Gamla Stans Yacht Sällskap (GSYS) under the auspices of World Sailing and the Swedish Sailing Federation. It is run in accordance with World Sailing's Clean Regattas sustainability standard.