Fortaleza (CE), January 2026 – The city of Fortaleza will host, between January 24th and 31st, 2026, the Test Event for the 2027 World Sailing Championship, a mandatory technical stage in the international homologation process required by the international sailing federation. The event has the support of the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Sport, and the Municipality of Fortaleza, through the Municipal Secretariat of Sport and Leisure of Fortaleza and the Municipal Secretariat of Tourism of Fortaleza, reinforcing the integration between sport, tourism and urban development.
Organized by the Brazilian Sailing Confederation (CBVela), in partnership with the Sailing and Motor Federation of the State of Ceará (FVMEC), the Test Event will bring together athletes from 32 countries, in the Olympic classes ILCA 6, ILCA 7, iQFoil and Formula Kite, consolidating Fortaleza as one of the main centers of Olympic sailing on the international scene.
This will be the first official sporting event held in 2026 in the capital of Ceará, the year Fortaleza celebrates its 300th anniversary, symbolically opening the local tricentennial sporting calendar with a high-level international competition.
“The Test Event’s main objective is to evaluate the race courses, competition venues, land-based operations, and the entire competition management team on the water, in conjunction with international officials and collaborators from World Sailing. This process is fundamental to ensuring the organizational excellence of the 2027 World Championship,” highlights Walter Boddener, events manager of the Brazilian Sailing Confederation.
In partnership with World Sailing, the organizing authority also facilitated the participation of emerging countries in the Olympic sailing scene, expanding the event’s global reach and reinforcing its inclusive and developmental character. Confirmed countries include Trinidad and Tobago, Monaco, Belize, Uruguay, and the Bahamas.
“Holding the Test Event in Fortaleza demonstrates the commitment of Brazilian sailing and World Sailing to the global expansion of the sport, creating opportunities for developing countries to participate in high-level technical events,” emphasizes the event’s organization.
In addition to its competitive nature, the Test Event plays a strategic role in preparing for the 2027 World Sailing World Championships, which is expected to bring together approximately 750 athletes from about 80 countries, generating direct impacts on tourism, the local economy, and the international projection of the capital of Ceará. Furthermore, the 2027 World Championships will fill approximately 40% of the Olympic slots for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Competition areas
The event’s activities will be distributed across three operational bases: Marina Park Hotel, Aterro da Praia de Iracema, and Iate Clube de Fortaleza, ensuring logistical efficiency, operational safety, and the best possible experience for athletes, technical teams, officials, and the public.
“Fortaleza offers exceptional natural conditions, adequate urban infrastructure, and strong institutional support, factors that make the city a benchmark for hosting major international sporting events,” assesses the event’s coordination.
With broad institutional support and integration between the federal and municipal levels, the Test Event reaffirms the commitment to the development of high-performance sport, the strengthening of sports tourism, and the construction of a lasting sporting, social, and economic legacy for Fortaleza.
Produced by CBVela Communication
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