Porto will, from 2028, become the global headquarters of The Ocean Race, in a partnership that aims to link the staging of major offshore sailing events with science, education, and awareness initiatives for ocean health.
The agreement involves the Porto City Council, Turismo de Portugal, and Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal, and provides for three round-the-world starts of The Ocean Race from the city, in 2030, 2034, and 2038. A Special Race in Porto in 2028 is also planned, in addition to at least six international sailing events — The Ocean Race Europe — over the next 13 years.
The new operational headquarters will be housed in a historic building along Porto’s waterfront, opposite Parque da Cidade. The space is expected to host public and educational activities from 2028.
The partnership also includes the creation of a new museum, in another location along the waterfront, dedicated to knowledge about the importance of the ocean and to the heritage of the competition itself. The aim is to create a permanent public space that allows addressing the role of the oceans and society’s relationship with these ecosystems.
Ocean science and literacy
Beyond the sporting component, the cooperation envisages a national platform that will connect Porto to other Portuguese coastal communities through initiatives in ocean science, education, literacy, sustainability, and the blue economy.
The Ocean Race currently develops the “Racing for the Ocean” program, which brings together scientists, educators, governments, businesses, athletes, and international organizations in actions related to knowledge and protection of the oceans.
The work includes ocean science and literacy, advocacy for the rights of the oceans and the use of the competition’s sporting platform to bring these issues to different audiences. The organization also intends to contribute to the recovery of society’s relationship with the ocean, in line with the United Nations’ Ocean Decade Vision 2030.
One of the first moments of this new phase will be The Ocean Race Summit Porto, scheduled for November 19, 2026, which will bring together international stakeholders to discuss the future and health of the oceans.
Richard Brisius, president of The Ocean Race, believes that Porto offers a combination of Atlantic identity, a connection to the ocean, and capacity in the areas of sport, science, innovation, and the blue economy.
“We are excited to build a future in Porto, a future that will serve our sailors, teams and partners, that will strengthen our sport and, above all, that will allow us to do even more for the ocean.”
For Pedro Duarte, president of the Porto City Council, the installation of the headquarters represents an opportunity to create a long-term platform for science, innovation, education, tourism, and ocean health.
The realization of this program will allow assessing in the coming years to what extent the partnership between a major international sporting event and permanent science and education initiatives can generate a legacy beyond the competition, bringing ocean health issues closer to wider audiences.
