PENSACOLA, Fla. (May 21, 2026) — Pensacola Bay will take center stage in the national sailing world next week as more than 30 boats from across the United States compete in the 2026 Catalina 22 National Championship Regatta, hosted by Pensacola Yacht Club (PYC) from May 23–28, 2026.

Hosted in partnership with the Catalina 22 National Sailing Association, the championship will bring more than 150 sailors, crew members, family members, and supporters to Pensacola for six days of competitive racing on one of the premier sailing venues in North America.

First introduced in 1969, the Catalina 22 is the best-selling fiberglass sailboat of its size ever built, with more than 15,000 boats produced. Known for its stability, forgiving handling, and trailerable design, the 21.5-foot keelboat has introduced generations of sailors to the sport while supporting a fiercely competitive one-design racing class that continues to attract devoted owners from across the country.

This year, competitors will race for the national title on a bay that is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about sailing venues in North America.

Already home to the American Magic team, the U.S. challenger for the America’s Cup, and now serving as the North American training hub for SailGP teams, Pensacola has rapidly earned international recognition as one of the most dynamic sailing destinations in the Western Hemisphere.

“Once sailors get out on Pensacola Bay, they immediately understand why so many of the biggest names in sailing are training here,” said Tom Pace, Regatta Chair for PYC. “It’s a sailor’s playground. We’ve got reliable wind, flat water, and enough room to spread out and race without feeling crowded. Once people sail here, they usually start asking when they can come back.”

Pensacola Bay offers nearly 144 square miles of deep, protected water, shielded from Gulf swells by Santa Rosa Island. The result is a vast natural racecourse with dependable sea breezes, minimal current, and room to set world-class courses in virtually any wind direction.

It combines the scale of open-water sailing with the flat-water conditions racers prize, making it an ideal venue for national championship competition.

Chartered in 1908, PYC will serve as regatta headquarters, welcoming sailors and spectators to one of the Gulf Coast’s most historic and respected yacht clubs.

Situated on a 17-acre waterfront campus at the mouth of Bayou Chico, PYC has built a national reputation for hosting premier sailing events while fostering youth development and competitive excellence.

Championship racing is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, through Thursday, May 28, weather permitting. Spectators can catch views of the colorful fleet from waterfront vantage points in downtown Pensacola, Community Maritime Park, Sanders Beach, and surrounding shorelines.

For more information, visit the Catalina 22 National Sailing Association or contact Pensacola Yacht Club.