The countdown is officially ticking and the SB20 community have now their eyes fixed on the south of France. This autumn, the SB20 World Championships 2026 will descend upon the iconic waters of Hyères. For our Class returning to this legendary venue marks a special milestone. This is the third time the SB20 World Championship title will be contested in the famous Rade de Hyères, following the unforgettable editions in 2013 and 2019.
Images from the 2013 Audi SB20 World Championships in Hyères © Katie Jackson
Hyères is far more than a typical regatta site; it is a world-class, high-performance training base for Olympic medalists, globally renowned for its high-octane wind conditions and fascinating tactical complexity. It is the very arena that shaped local French sailing royalty, including multi-time Olympic ILCA star Jean-Baptiste Bernaz, standout athlete Marie Barrue and the SB20 Class’s own double World Champion, Robin Follin.
Team FFVoile of Robin Follin during the 2019 SB20 World Championships in Hyères © Pierrick Contin
The 2026 edition is already generating massive interest. The momentum is building with 13 nations spanning four continents already signed up and officially locked in for their spot on the starting line this October. For international teams looking to enter charter boat opportunities are still available alongside exclusive deals on brand-new Devoti boats.
Top-Tier Tech, Live Tracking and Recovery
To match the high-intensity action on the water, the event will feature top technical and athlete support. The global audience won’t miss a single tack, as MetaSail tracking – provided by the French SB20 dealer VMG Sailing – will be live, streaming online from every race. On the ground, technical spares and sails will be fully stocked right in the marina’s local chandler’s shop, managed by VMG Sailing and supported by Devoti Sailing for larger components.
Mensa Praktijk during after-sail physiotherapy session at SB20 European Championships 2025 © Anna Zyk
Because peak performance demands world-class physical recovery, the expert team from Belgium’s Mensa Praktijk are making a highly anticipated return. They will be sponsoring dedicated on-site physiotherapy sessions for all competitors before and after racing.
No elite regatta in the south of France is complete without honoring the local terroir and Hyères boasts one of the most prestigious wine signatures in Southern France. The vineyards surrounding the Rade de Hyères sit in the prized coastal heart of the AOC Côtes de Provence La Londe. Here, centuries-old family estates grow their vines on sun-drenched, mineral-rich schist slopes that run right down to the water’s edge, facing the golden islands of Porquerolles and Port-Cros.
Spectacular views of Château Malherbe
We are happy to announce two vineyard partners who showcase the absolute best of this terroir surrounding the Bay of Hyères: Château La Valetanne and Château Malherbe. At the 14-hectare Château La Valetanne, vines are cultivated entirely without chemicals on distinct slate and mica soils. Nearby, on the historic grounds of the Fort de Brégançon, the Ferrari family has run the 60-hectare Château Malherbe for five generations, practicing strict biodynamic viticulture. Both estates will host exclusive tastings at the COYCH club during the event and welcome sailors for private cellar door tours outside of racing hours.
The land and the sea meet in a glass of wonderful Rosé from Château La Valetanne
The Road to the Worlds
The #RoadToHyeres2026 passes through a cross-Channel showdown first – on July 25th, the fleet converges for the UK Nationals in Cowes, Isle of Wight. And the French SB20 Class is sending two top-tier teams over to challenge a massive British fleet. Expect relentless competition and an incredible atmosphere on the Solent – the perfect rehearsal before the global fleet gathers for the main event in Hyères.
SB20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2026:
October 16th to 23rd – Hyeres, France
Event website: https://www.sb20worldshyeres2026.com/
Official Notice of race