The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is preparing to welcome sailors from Thailand, across Asia and around the world for another week of competition on the Andaman Sea. Registration is open for teams wishing to compete in the 2026 edition, taking place from December 5-12.

Teams interested in joining the fleet are encouraged to register through the official regatta website. The online entry process includes details of boat and crew registration, applicable fees, race documentation and participation requirements.

Registration for keelboats and multihulls: https://kingscup.com/bcr-register/

Boat entry guide: https://kingscup.com/document-for-keelboats/boat-entry-guide/

Widely regarded as one of Asia’s most prestigious international regattas, the event brings together an extensive fleet of keelboats, multihulls, one-design yachts and dinghies. Racing takes place against the dramatic backdrop of Phuket’s southwest coast, with Kata Beach serving as the regatta’s principal base ashore.

Competition is expected across multiple classes, allowing professional teams, experienced amateur crews and emerging sailors to participate at an appropriate level. Entrants can experience professionally managed racing, varied coastal conditions and the combination of serious competition and relaxed island hospitality for which the King’s Cup has become known.

Sailing with a royal heritage

The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta was founded in 1987 as a tribute to the 60th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, himself an accomplished sailor and Southeast Asian Peninsular Games gold medallist. The inaugural event brought together keelboats, catamarans, Lasers and windsurfers in the waters off Phuket. 

From those beginnings, it developed into a major fixture on the international sailing calendar, attracting leading yachts and crews while helping establish Phuket as one of Asia’s foremost sailing destinations.

Held under Royal Patronage, the regatta is organised by the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organising Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.

Inclusive competition on the water

Disabled sailing will again form part of the regatta programme, extending competitive opportunities to sailors with disabilities.

Racing is conducted in specially designed two-person S/V14 dinghies, which provide improved accessibility while retaining the tactical and sporting qualities of competitive sailing. The inclusion of disabled sailing reflects the regatta’s broader commitment to making the sport more accessible and ensuring sailors of different abilities can participate in one of Asia’s most prominent sailing events.

Alongside the racing, the programme traditionally includes opening celebrations, social events, daily prizegivings and a concluding Royal Awards Ceremony. This combination of international competition, Royal heritage, inclusion and Phuket hospitality continues to give the King’s Cup its distinctive place in Asian sailing.

kingscup.com

Note: The original version of this article appears in Yacht Style Issue 91