The Council of Ministers has approved the recognition of the Alicante Port of Departure program for the 2027 Round-the-World Sailing Race as an Event of Exceptional Public Interest. This declaration will allow tax advantages to be applied to companies participating in support plans linked to the regatta, thereby fostering private investment.
Companies that join these plans will be able to benefit from incentives and deductions for advertising expenses with multi-year projection. The organization highlights that this measure, which previously benefited companies such as MAPFRE, Telefónica, and Camper in earlier editions, turns the departure from Alicante into a strategic opportunity for brands to associate with an international sporting event.
The economic impact of the 2022-23 edition, according to a PwC study, generated 71.6 million euros in Spanish GDP and created over 1,200 jobs, attracting more than 300,000 visitors to the Ocean Live Park. The winning team, 11th Hour Racing, reported benefits of 99 million US dollars for its partners.
The President of The Ocean Race, Richard Brisius, positively assessed the recognition, emphasizing the joint work between the organization, the Alicante City Council, the Generalitat Valenciana, and the Spanish Government. "For companies, it opens a path for collaboration with significant tax advantages; for the city and the Valencian Community, it reinforces the capacity to capitalize on the international projection; and for The Ocean Race, it consolidates its position as a global event," he stated.
The regatta will depart from Alicante on January 17, 2027, preceded by a program of free activities at the Ocean Live Park from January 8 to 17. The organization also underscores the event's sustainability dimension, with an ambitious program in the last edition that included collecting ocean samples for scientific research and marine health education.
The first leg will connect Alicante with Auckland (New Zealand) over 14,000 nautical miles, the longest initial leg in the regatta's history. The fleet will continue towards Itajaí (Brazil), St. Pete-Clearwater (Florida), Cascais (Portugal), and will conclude in AMAALA (Saudi Red Sea).
This recognition has been incorporated into Royal Decree-Law 12/2026, approved on May 26.
