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In Amsterdam, the Yacht Racing Forum returns on November 19 and 20, 2026, with a program structured around racing, technology and the economics of the sport. Positioned at the close of Metstrade, the event brings together the international competitive sailing industry.
A format focused on regattas and their evolutions
The forum retains its format of two days of conferences, speeches and professional meetings. The aim remains to bring together sport, industry and event organization.
The major competitions remain on the program, with a particular focus on the professional circuits. At the same time, more accessible formats and so-called traditional sailing are taking up more space in the exchanges.
This trend reflects the structure of the sector, where the majority of practitioners and economic players are located outside the elite circuits.
Technology and innovation at the heart of discussions
The themes announced for the 2026 edition cover several technical fields. Composite materials, embedded systems and performance analysis tools remain central topics.
Artificial intelligence is also one of the key areas of focus, particularly for analyzing navigation data and optimizing performance.
The presentations will also cover aspects of boat design and innovations used on racing boats, from monohulls to multihulls.
Organization, marketing and team management
In addition to the technical aspects, the forum also addresses the structural aspects of competitive sailing. Human resources management, team financing and business models are all part of the program.
Marketing and event development issues also feature prominently. Organizers, sponsors and teams discuss race formats, media visibility and partnerships.
These issues directly concern international circuits, but also smaller-scale events.
A calendar aligned with Metstrade
The choice of dates, November 19 and 20, 2026, positions the forum in the continuity of Metstrade, the world's leading marine equipment show.
This proximity enables professionals to combine the two events. On the one hand, product and material innovations. On the other, reflections on competition organization and the evolution of the sector.
The traditional Sailors' Evening, organized on Thursday November 19, 2026, completes the program by encouraging informal exchanges.
Partners from the entire nautical industry
The forum is supported by a network of industry partners. These include AMAALA Yacht Club, involved in hosting major offshore races, and World Sailing, the international sailing federation.
Technical players such as Gurit, which specializes in composite materials, equipment manufacturers such as Musto, and manufacturers of measuring instruments complete the picture.
The presence of organizations such as ICOMIA also gives the forum a broader dimension than just competition.
A structured event for competitive sailing
Since its creation in 2008, the Yacht Racing Forum has established itself as a meeting point for regatta professionals.
The 2026 edition continues in this vein, with a program that combines feedback, technical presentations and exchanges on the evolution of the sector.
Speakers and conference details are to be announced in the coming weeks, but the general structure of the forum remains true to its positioning between sport, industry and race organization.
