The Ocean Race will return to Auckland in just over 12 months after a 14,000 nautical mile leg – the longest in the race’s history.
Crews are scheduled to depart Alicante in Spain on January 17, 2027, and are expected to reach Auckland on about February 20.
The last time The Ocean Race visited Auckland was in 2018.
"As it has for more than 50 years, The Ocean Race represents the pinnacle of professional offshore sailing," said Richard Brisius, race chairman of The Ocean Race.
"The 2027 edition raises the bar once again with a route that will challenge even the most accomplished sailors in our sport. The opening leg to Auckland is a statement of intent: this is offshore racing at its most extreme and most thrilling."
It will be the 12th time the race has visited the “City of Sails”.
New Zealand sailor Mike Sanderson said: “I’m super-excited The Ocean Race is returning to Auckland and we will have an opportunity to see the best offshore sailors and teams up close again."
Sanderson has raced in the event four times and is the most recent Kiwi to lead a team to victory as skipper of ABN AMRO in the 2004-05 edition.
“Racing into New Zealand was always a highlight of the event for us as sailors as we knew we were coming to a place with a deep connection to the sport,” he said.
The 2027 race’s full route to be confirmed in the coming months.
After stopping in Auckland, the sailors will depart for Itajaí, Brazil.
Further stopovers in the USA and Europe are to be confirmed. The race includes a transit through the Suez Canal before a finish on the Red Sea.
The Ocean Race has earned a reputation as the sport's most intense and gruelling sailing competition. Crews will be racing the world's fastest, foiling offshore race boats - the IMOCA.
The Ocean Race 2027 will see all teams include at least one female sailor in their crew.
Reporters on each boat will have a constant connection with race headquarters in Alicante and fans throughout the racing.
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