Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez returns for its 28th edition from September 26 to October 4, 2026, promising an unforgettable celebration of sailing, elegance, and camaraderie on the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Organized by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez (SNST), this iconic regatta week brings together three fleets—Modern, Traditions, and Maxis—in a spirit of eclecticism, with the much-anticipated return of J-Class yachts headlining the event.
Some 3,500 crew members from around the globe will converge on Saint-Tropez to celebrate the art of regatta racing against one of the most breathtaking backdrops in the sailing world. Stroll along the quays in the evening and lose yourself in the rigging of stunning classic yachts, the minimalism and majesty of the Maxis, or the technological elegance of the modern sailboat fleet. At noon each day, departures follow one another like a parade at the Portalet Tower, and as the gulf fills with returning boats come evening, the festivities spill into the narrow streets of Saint-Tropez and the legendary Bar des Voiles.
This spirit has endured since the first Nioulargue in 1981, of which Les Voiles is the worthy successor. While the core formula remains unchanged, each edition introduces exclusive new features. In 2025, the majesty of the three-masted schooner Atlantic enchanted spectators. Scheduled to return in 2026, the 1905 North Atlantic crossing record-holder will share the spotlight with at least three J-Class yachts, reveals SNST President Pierre Roinson. “Much like last year, these very large vessels honor Les Voiles, but their presence in the harbor—where areas accommodating drafts of more than 5 meters are limited—will require us to make some choices,” Roinson continues. Already more than 250 registration requests have been received with over three months still to go before the event.
Relocated to the Jean Réveille pier in 2023, the revamped Les Voiles village has given the event exceptional scale and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This space, where the general public and VIPs mingle between the harbor and the gulf, benefits from expert technical teams and the support of major partners. In a push for continuous improvement, the SNST has appointed an Artistic Director this year to reimagine the event’s social spaces. Plans include standardizing signage and logos, improving wayfinding for the public, and ensuring smooth traffic flow throughout the site.
The 2026 edition promises to be a year brimming with celebrations. It marks the 20th anniversary of the partnership with Rolex, the 100th anniversary of the Comité International de la Méditerranée, and the 150 years of maritime commitment by the Edmond de Rothschild family through the Gitana saga—a line of iconic boats unique in the world.
Beyond Les Voiles, the SNST also serves as the supporting club for the French La Roche-Posay Sailing Team in their bid for the America’s Cup. “The team can count on the unwavering support of the SNST’s 500 members, who are delighted to be a cornerstone of this new campaign,” says Roinson. The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez is taking on the challenge of the oldest international sports trophy for the second time; the 38th edition will take place in 2027 in Naples, with challengers from England (Royal Yacht Squadron), Italy (Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia), Switzerland (Société Nautique de Genève), the United States (Sail Newport), and Australia (Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club), competing against the New Zealand Defender (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron).
The 2026 program unfolds as follows. Saturday, September 26: Registration Confirmation. Sunday, September 27: Registration confirmation and results of the Yacht Club de France Fall Cup (Cannes–Saint-Tropez). Monday, September 28: Regattas for Maxis and Moderns. Tuesday, September 29: Maxi, Modern, and Classic Regattas, including the Rolex Trophy. Wednesday, September 30: Regattas for Modern and Classic classes, including the Rolex Trophy, with a day off for the Maxis. Thursday, October 1: Club 55 Cup, Gstaad Yacht Club Centenarians’ Trophy with staggered starts, Challenge Day, and regattas for Modern, Classic, and Maxi boats. Friday, October 2: Maxi, Modern, and Classic Regattas, including the Rolex Trophy. Saturday, October 3: Maxi, Modern, and Classic regattas, including the Rolex Trophy, with the awards ceremony for the Maxi class including the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy and the Rolex Trophy ceremony. Sunday, October 4: Awards ceremony for Modern and Classic categories, including the BMW Trophy and special trophies.
Major Partner: Rolex. Premium Partners: BMW, Edmond de Rothschild. Preferred Partners: Wally, Suzuki Marine, Brig. Associated Partners: VSC Corporate Recovery Consulting, Port des Marines de Cogolin, North Sails. The event is organized by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez under President Pierre Roinson, with Chief Race Officer Georges Korhel. Registration is managed by Frédérique Fantino, marine safety by Gilles Doyen, logistics by Alice Coquant, and communications by Chloé de Brouwer.
