Presidential 7th International Yacht Races

Istanbul will turn into a grandstand of sails and sea-spray on May 16–19, 2026, as the Presidential 7th International Yacht Races continue with the Liberation Cup—an offshore program built around speed, seamanship, and the city’s most iconic waterway. This isn’t sailing at a distance; it’s sailing in full view, where the Bosphorus becomes a racecourse and every tack feels like a postcard moment set between continents.

The format is designed to keep the action constant across fleets. All classes will take on one Bosphorus race, while ORC, IRC, and Sportsboat teams will battle through three buoy races—shorter, sharper contests where precision and starts matter. For the Cruising classes, a geographic islands course will add a navigational, destination-style challenge. Racing is planned with buoy races + the islands course on May 17, and the headline Bosphorus race on May 19. Even if you never step on a yacht, you’ll want to be here—because in Istanbul, the shoreline is the best seat in the house, and watching sails cut through the strait feels like the city itself is moving.