The Bodrum Cup 2026: 38th Sailing Week Guide and Viewing Spots

Why Now? Bodrum's Autumn Sea Festival

In Bodrum, when summer ends the sea does not stop. The beaches calm down in late September, yet in October the peninsula picks up speed again for a very different reason: sailing. From 19 to 24 October 2026, the 38th The Bodrum Cup once again fills the bays, marinas and streets with the town's biggest maritime festival. This year's theme is the Bodrum Ship, and the closing night is crowned by a Pinhani concert.

Autumn has long been called Bodrum's 'yellow summer': the sea is still warm, the wind is ideal for sailing and the crowds are far thinner than in high summer. The municipality and the industry aim to stretch tourism across nine months rather than one summer season, and The Bodrum Cup is one of the most visible parts of that goal. An international regatta on one side, concerts, exhibitions and traditional wooden boats on the other. This guide brings together the programme, the stages, the free viewing spots and the ticket and fee details.

What Is The Bodrum Cup? A 38-Year Maritime Tradition

The Bodrum Cup is a sailing organisation launched by the Era Bodrum Yacht Club in 1989 and held without interruption ever since. Its aim is to teach and promote sailing to both sea lovers and professional yacht crews. Now in its 38th edition, the race carries Bodrum's maritime culture, rooted in sponge diving and the Blue Voyage, into the present day.

What sets it apart from ordinary regattas is this: The Bodrum Cup is one of the rare races in the world where yachts can compete together with their guests. Even a guest who has never sailed can feel the excitement aboard a boat beside the crew. Traditional wooden boats such as the tirhandil and the gulet keep Bodrum's boat-building craftsmanship visible.

The 38th Bodrum Cup 2026: Theme, Route and Stage Calendar

Perhaps the most talked-about novelty this year is the return of Knidos to the race route after a long absence. The five-stage competition begins in Bodrum and finishes in Yalıkavak, passing through Knidos and Ortakent. After the opening ceremony on 19 October, the races end in Yalıkavak on 24 October.

• 19 October (Monday): Race briefing (18:00) and the traditional bell ceremony (19:30) — Race Centre / Bodrum Municipality Square.
• 20 October (Tuesday): Wreath-laying ceremony at sea (10:30) and Stage 1 — the SumOne stage, Bodrum-Bodrum.
• 21 October (Wednesday): Stage 2 — the Ruins stage, Bodrum-Knidos.
• 22 October (Thursday): Stage 3 — the Yalıkavak Marina stage, Knidos-Ortakent.
• 23 October (Friday): Stage 4 — the OPET stage, Ortakent-Yalıkavak.
• 24 October (Saturday): Stage 5 — the Anadolu Sigorta stage, Yalıkavak-Yalıkavak; prize ceremony (19:30) and Pinhani concert (21:30).

Start times are confirmed during the day depending on weather, so if you plan to watch, follow the route and times through the organisation's official channels. During race week the Race Centre set up in central Bodrum hosts painting exhibitions, cultural events and programmes for all age groups; the centre is open and free to all visitors all week.

Practical Information: Viewing, Transport and Fees

Viewing from land: free spots

Watching from the sea is one option, but you can also be part of the week from land. Bodrum Municipality Square, where the Race Centre is set up, is the hub of the bell ceremony and the prize programme, while the harbour and Bodrum Castle line are among the best spots to watch the boats depart and return. On the final day, the area around Yalıkavak Marina offers both the finish and the evening programme.

Viewing from the sea: spectator yacht and cabin fees

For those who want to watch from the middle of the sea there are two ways. For those joining the spectator fleet in their own yacht, the fees announced for 19-24 October 2026 are tiered by length:

• Yachts up to 14.99 m: 14,000 TL
• Yachts from 15 to 24.99 m: 20,000 TL
• Yachts 25 m and above: 30,000 TL

It is also possible to watch while staying aboard the organisation's own yachts by renting a cabin: 1,000 EUR per person in a double cabin, 1,250 EUR for single occupancy (meals included, alcoholic drinks excluded). Day trips are available only on 19 and 24 October at 60 EUR per person (lunch and soft drinks included); boarding is at 09:30 and disembarkation at 18:00. Fees and dates can be updated, so confirm on the official page before booking.

Closing concert: Pinhani

The week closes on Saturday 24 October at Yalıkavak Marina. After the prize ceremony, Pinhani takes the stage at 21:30. Tickets are sold through the platform announced by the organisation; check The Bodrum Cup's official announcement for tickets and details.

The Bodrum Ship: A 25-Year-Old School Vessel Is Renewed

The theme of the year, the Bodrum Ship, is one of the organisation's most important agenda items. The sailing school ship, built with contributions from the people of Bodrum, is undergoing extensive maintenance and renewal in its 25th year. The work continues at Ağanlar Shipyard, led by naval architect Aslı Felah. İMEAK Chamber of Shipping and Ağanlar Shipyard are among the project's main supporters.

The ship is not just a school boat; it is seen as a symbol of Bodrum's maritime memory and is planned to take part in this year's races after the renewal. A special clothing collection prepared by the SumOne brand is also donated to BOSAV, contributing to the ship's costs. So The Bodrum Cup is not merely a week-long race but a cultural project supporting traditional boat building and maritime education.

Bodrum During Race Week: Where to Stay and What to Eat

Bodrum Cup week is one of the busiest periods of the autumn season. Central hotels around the Race Centre and the facilities along the Yalıkavak and Ortakent line can fill up faster on these dates, so it pays to plan accommodation early.

If you are planning a long lunch or dinner by the sea during race week, you can explore Bodrum's seafood and wild-herb rich cuisine. For those who want to walk and enjoy nature, the Karya Way trails are ideal in autumn.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Bodrum Cup 2026?

The 38th Bodrum Cup takes place in Bodrum between 19 and 24 October 2026. The opening ceremony is at the Race Centre in Bodrum Municipality Square, while the finish and closing programme are at Yalıkavak Marina. The stages run along Bodrum, Knidos, Ortakent and Yalıkavak.

Can I watch the race for free?

Yes. You can follow the race free of charge from land-based spots such as the Race Centre and its surroundings, the harbour line and the area around Yalıkavak Marina. Watching from the sea by cabin or on a day trip is paid.

How much does it cost to join by boat as a spectator?

Joining the spectator fleet in your own yacht ranges from 14,000 to 30,000 TL depending on length. Accommodation cabins on the organisation's yachts cost 1,000-1,250 EUR per person, while day trips cost 60 EUR per person. The day-trip option is offered only on 19 and 24 October.

Can I take part as a skipper?

Yes; race registrations are accepted via both Turkish and English application forms. Your class, boat dimensions and equipment rules are set out in the race instructions. Follow the official race registration and instruction pages for details.

Do I need a ticket for the closing concert?

Yes, a ticket is required for the Pinhani concert at Yalıkavak Marina on the evening of 24 October. Tickets are sold through the online platform announced by the organisation; it is wise to book early as capacity may be limited.

Where can I follow programme changes?

Documents such as the race instructions may be updated before the race, and start times can change with the weather. For the most current information, follow The Bodrum Cup's official website and social media accounts.

Conclusion: Experiencing Bodrum by Sea in Autumn

For those who love Bodrum, The Bodrum Cup is one of the best excuses to prove that summer is not over. For six days the yachts stretch from Bodrum to Knidos and from Ortakent to Yalıkavak; you can share in the week from the shore, the harbour or the deck of a boat. And the closing night ends with music in Yalıkavak. With fewer crowds and a still-inviting sea, don't miss this experience.