ILCA World Sailing Championships at Dun Laoghaire

What to Expect

Dun Laoghaire Harbour becomes the centre of world sailing for most of late summer 2026, hosting back-to-back Olympic-class world championships jointly run by the Royal St George Yacht Club and the National Yacht Club. The men’s 2026 ILCA 7 World Championship runs officially from 23 to 30 August, with competitors arriving for official training from 18 August, while the women’s 2026 ILCA 6 World Championship follows from 5 to 12 September, with training from 31 August.

Both events are qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, drawing up to 160 men and 120 women sailors from around the world to race single-handed dinghies off Dublin Bay. It’s an all-charter-boat championship, with 160 new ILCA dinghies shipped in from Thailand specifically for the event, so every competitor races an identical, freshly supplied boat rather than their own equipment.

The host clubs, the Royal St George and the National Yacht Club, both occupy period buildings dating to the 1800s on Dun Laoghaire’s waterfront, with Carlisle Pier serving as the main operational base and boat park for the fortnight-plus of racing. The event is backed by Sport Ireland, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Fáilte Ireland, reflecting its scale as one of the biggest sailing championships Ireland has hosted in years, and organisers describe Dun Laoghaire as “the sailing capital of Ireland” for the occasion.

Racing takes place out on Dublin Bay rather than in the harbour itself, so the best free vantage points for onlookers are along the harbour piers and the seafront promenade, both giving open views out over the racing area. There’s no general public ticket for the racing itself; anyone wanting more detailed spectator information, hospitality access or the daily race schedule should contact the event organisers directly.

Good to Know

• Men’s championship: 23-30 August 2026 (training from 18 August)
• Women’s championship: 5-12 September 2026 (training from 31 August)
• Hosted jointly by the Royal St George and National Yacht Clubs
• Racing viewable from the harbour piers and seafront; contact organisers for full spectator details

Getting There

Dun Laoghaire Harbour is served by Dun Laoghaire DART station, about 25 minutes from Dublin city centre, with Dublin Bus routes along the seafront and paid parking nearby.