ROLEX SWAN CUP 2026: 170 SWANS GATHER IN PORTO CERVO TO CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF NAUTOR SWAN

Porto Cervo welcomes the 23rd edition of the Rolex Swan Cup, the world’s largest one-brand sailing event and one of the highlights of the international yachting calendar.

Organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) in collaboration with Nautor Swan and Rolex, this year’s edition marks a significant milestone: 60 years of Nautor Swan. The anniversary brings together an extraordinary fleet and generations of owners and sailors to honour the brand’s heritage, celebrate its present and look towards its future.

A remarkable fleet of 170 Swan yachts, representing more than 90 models and every generation of the Finnish shipyard’s production, has gathered in Porto Cervo. From the historic yachts that established the Swan legend to the latest high-performance flagships, the fleet is a spectacular expression of the brand’s remarkable continuity a story written over six decades by visionary designers, skilled craftsmen, passionate owners and generations of sailors.

More than a regatta, the Rolex Swan Cup is a celebration of a global community united by a shared passion for the sea, sailing and Swan.

Three Divisions, One Swan Community the fleet will compete across three ClubSwan divisions, bringing together Swan yachts spanning generations of design, performance and innovation.

ClubSwan Spirit will bring together 43 Maxi Swans and 50 Swan yachts, including a dedicated division for owners wishing to race while maintaining their yachts in authentic cruising configuration.

ClubSwan Racing will feature 39 yachts across the ClubSwan 50, 43, 42, 36 and 28 classes, together with the Swan 45, showcasing the most competitive and performance-driven side of the ClubSwan community.

ClubSwan Legacy, comprising 37 yachts, will celebrate Swan’s heritage through designs by Sparkman & Stephens, Ron Holland and Germán Frers. For the first time, these different generations of Swan design will compete together.

Leading the historic fleet is Tarantella, Swan 36-001, the first Swan ever built and recently restored to her original splendour.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Swan 128 flagships BeCool and Raijin, together with the new Swan 80 Elvi, represent the latest evolution of the brand.

The fleet also includes iconic yachts such as Formosa, Nautor hull number 1000; Swan 48 Elan; four Swan 65s; and two Swan 651s, creating a unique connection between Swan’s past, present and future.

One of the highlights of the week is the “Dance of the Swans”, a spectacular photographic moment dedicated to renowned sailing photographer Carlo Borlenghi.

The entire fleet will sail around Isola dei Monaci in a carefully choreographed circular formation, creating an extraordinary spectacle to be captured from the air by helicopter and drones. Participating owners and crews will receive photographs and video footage as a lasting memory of Nautor Swan’s 60th anniversary.

The theme will continue during the Opening Ceremony, where dancers from the Arzachena Dance School, affiliated with the Royal Academy of Dance in London, will interpret the “Dance of the Swans” through a special performance.

The combination of sailing, photography, music and dance provides an evocative opening to a week celebrating both the sporting and cultural dimensions of the Swan community, as well as the unmistakable beauty and elegance of these extraordinary yachts.

Four Days of Racing in Porto Cervo following Tuesday’s practice races, official racing begins on Wednesday, 16 September, continuing through Saturday, 19 September.

Alongside the racing programme, an extensive social calendar will bring owners, crews and guests together throughout the week.

Daily after-racing gatherings at YCCS Piazza Azzurra will complement a programme that includes the Welcome Cocktail, a Meet & Greet with Paul Cayard, the Owners’ Dinner celebrating Nautor Swan’s 60th anniversary, and the highly anticipated Rolex Dinner Party at the CHP Pevero Hotel.

The week will conclude on Saturday with the Final Prize Giving Ceremony, recognising the achievements of the winners and celebrating the participation of the entire fleet.

Celebrating the clubswan community Gianguido Girotti, CEO of Nautor Swan, highlights the importance of the community that has grown around the brand: ClubSwan is truly unique in yachting. Our events are not simply competitions; they are opportunities for owners to meet, sail, learn and share experiences. This 60th anniversary edition in Porto Cervo demonstrates the extraordinary strength of that community.

“For sixty years, Swan yachts have sailed around the world, from the frozen Poles to the Galápagos. The future is about creating exceptional new yachts while building an even stronger community around them.”

The Rolex Swan Cup reflects this philosophy. From the smallest Swan to the largest Maxi, and from experienced professionals to owners participating in the event for the first time, the fleet is united by the same fundamental values: a love for the sea, a love for sailing and a love for Swan.

Partners in excellence an event of this scale would not be possible without the support of ClubSwan partners and the many professionals working behind the scenes.

Rolex, the historic Title Sponsor and long-standing partner of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Nautor Swan, continues its deep connection with sailing and its values of precision, performance and excellence.

Alongside Rolex and Ferragamo, Denza brings its vision of innovation, design and sustainable mobility to this special edition of the Rolex Swan Cup, complementing the event’s focus on excellence and forward-thinking.

Telepass Mare contributes its expertise in marine mobility and services, further enhancing the experience of the Swan community both on and off the water.

Special acknowledgement also goes to the technical partners, suppliers, race officials, sailing professionals, crews and specialists whose expertise and commitment make it possible to manage a fleet of 170 yachts and deliver one of the most significant gatherings on the international sailing calendar.

Behind every Swan on the starting line is a team of people working together to make this extraordinary celebration possible.

As Nautor Swan marks 60 years of yacht building, innovation and sailing heritage, the Rolex Swan Cup brings that story vividly to life in Porto Cervo while a global community of passionate owners and sailors helps write the next chapter.