From August 21 to 28, 2026, the Aegean Regatta 2026 will take place, the premier open-sea sailing race in the Aegean, which this year will sail to the outlying islands of the Northern and Eastern Aegean, following the route from Limnia (Volissos) on Chios to Fournoi, Agathonisi, and Marathokampos on Samos.
This anniversary edition—marking the 25th time the event has been held—is one of the most important institutions of Greek offshore sailing, combining competitive racing with the celebration of the unique natural beauty, history, and cultural heritage of the Aegean islands.
The race is organized by the General Secretariat for the Aegean & Island Policy of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, in collaboration with the Open Sea Committee of the Hellenic Sailing Federation and the ASIATH Rhodes Sailing Club, Mytilene Sailing Club, LOIATH Mytilene, the Samos Nautical Club, and the Chios Nautical Club, while the coordinating club for 2026 is PEKEV Chios.
Over the years, the Aegean Regatta has evolved into much more than just a sailing race. It has made a substantial contribution to promoting and developing the remote islands, generating significant benefits for local communities, while also bringing together sailors from every corner of Greece and attracting dozens of international crews who have experienced the authentic island culture of the Aegean firsthand.
The Aegean Regatta 2026 Schedule
Friday, August 21
Registration and boat inspections
Limnia – Volissos, Chios
Saturday, August 22
Registration and inspections
Skippers’ meeting
Opening Ceremony
Limnia – Volissos, Chios
Sunday, August 23
1st Race
Limnia (Volissos, Chios) – Fournoi
Distance: 65 nautical miles
Monday, August 24
Free day in Fournoi
Tuesday, August 25
2nd Race
Fournoi – Agathonisi
Distance: 33 nautical miles
Wednesday, August 26
3rd Race
Agathonisi – Marathokampos, Samos
Distance: 20 nautical miles
Thursday, August 27
Free day in Marathokampos, Samos
Friday, August 28
Inshore race in Marathokampos, Samos
Closing Ceremony and Awards Ceremony
The Secretary General for Aegean and Island Policy and President of the Organizing Committee of the Aegean Regatta 2026, Mr. Fotis Mangos, stated: “This year’s event holds special significance for all of us. The AEGEAN REGATTA is celebrating 25 years of continuous presence in the Aegean, having now established itself as an institution that unites sports with the sea, seafaring with culture, and competitive spirit with island hospitality. For a quarter of a century, this event has been sailing the waters of the Aegean, connecting ports, islands, people, and communities, and promotes the Aegean internationally as a place of life, creativity, collaboration, and openness to the world.
For me personally, assuming the presidency of the Organizing Committee of the AEGEAN REGATTA 2026, at the start of my term as Secretary General for Aegean and Island Policy, is a special honor and a significant responsibility. It is highly symbolic that one of the first major institutional events I am called upon to serve in my new position is an institution deeply connected to the Aegean, sports, and island communities.
At the same time, having served in local government as mayor of an island municipality, I know firsthand how important such events are for our islands. I am familiar with the efforts of local communities, the power of hospitality, the daily struggles, and the pride of the people who live and thrive in the Aegean. Each stop on the AEGEAN REGATTA is not merely a racing destination; it is a vibrant place, rich in history, culture, local production, memory, and promise.
This year, from August 22 to 28, 2026, the event sets sail from Limnia – Volissos on Chios and will follow a route that spans the central and northeastern Aegean: Fournoi, Agathonisi, and Marathokampos on Samos. “This is a route with a strong island character, highlighting authentic places, communities with deep ties to the sea, and islands that are the living heart of Greece’s outermost regions,”, Mr. Maggos concluded.
With the meltemi wind as its ally and some of the Greek archipelago’s most authentic destinations as its backdrop, the Aegean Regatta continues to pursue its vision: to showcase the Aegean through sailing, to strengthen local communities, and to instill in younger generations a love for the sea, sports, and island Greece.
For more information:
www.aegeanregatta.gr
https://www.facebook.com/Aegean.Regatta
https://www.instagram.com/aegeanregatta
