IRC Rating Rule unites Admiral's Cup 2027 and Sardinia Cup 2026
by Louay Habib / RORC 15 Sep 2025 11:39 PDT
Admiral's Cup © Rick Tomlinson / RORC
The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has confirmed that the Admiral's Cup will return in 2027, building on the spectacular success of its 2025 comeback after a 22-year hiatus.
Widely hailed as the pinnacle of international team racing, the Admiral's Cup blends intense inshore contests with offshore challenges, culminating in the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race to decide the winner of the prestigious Admiral's Cup trophy.
The 2027 Admiral's Cup will run from Tuesday 13 July, the first day of measurement and inspection, feature the Rolex Fastnet Race on Saturday 24 July, and conclude with the final prize-giving.
In a parallel announcement, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) has announced the return of the Sardinia Cup, scheduled for May 31st to June 7th, 2026. Like the Admiral's Cup, the Sardinia Cup will be raced under the IRC Rating Rule, the gold standard for offshore competition used in nearly every one of the world's most prestigious races.
By aligning under the same IRC rating bands, RORC and YCCS are giving teams and owners seamless continuity as they prepare for both events - forging a powerful pathway through two of the sport's most iconic international competitions.
Deb Fish, Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, commented:
"The 2025 Admiral's Cup reminded us all of the magic of international team racing - the intensity of the competition, the camaraderie between nations, and the global prestige of lifting one of sailing's most famous trophies. We are delighted to confirm the dates and IRC rating bands for 2027, and to work in parallel with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda as they bring back the Sardinia Cup in 2026. By aligning under the IRC rating rule, we are creating a natural synergy between these two great events, giving teams continuity and a clear pathway as they prepare for the ultimate challenge."
These announcements signal a new golden era for elite offshore team racing, with the Sardinia Cup in 2026 providing the perfect launchpad for international teams targeting the Admiral's Cup in 2027.
2027 Admiral's Cup Rating Bands:
| Class | Min TCC | Max TCC | Min LH (m) | Max LH (m) | Max Draft (m) |
|---|
| AC 1 | 1.295 | 1.440 | 13.41 | 17.10 | 3.9 |
| AC 2 | 1.125 | 1.282 | 11.50 | 13.40 | 3.4 |