Volvo Ocean Race

Volvo Ocean Race Village

Sport and entertainment collide to create a unique experience for everyone when the Volvo Ocean Race sails into the 10 Host Port cities across the world.

Starting at Alicante, Spain the world’s longest and toughest ocean race covers more than 39,000 nautical miles during its eight month, nine-leg competition.  Along the way the competitors dock at some of the world’s most stunning, cosmopolitan and historic cities.

The 2011-12 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race goes on to visit Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya (China), Auckland, Itajaí (Brazil), Miami, Lisbon, Lorient (France) and finishes at Galway, Ireland.

At each and every Host Port a hive of entertainment awaits at a dedicated Race Village. Like something from a Formula 1 grand prix, there are thousands of square metres dedicated to entertainment with programmes brimming with concerts, shows, exhibitions, sailing clinics, rides, fireworks and restaurants.

Host Ports are also home to the Volvo Ocean Race Experience, an interactive attraction designed to suck landlubbers into the world of a Volvo Ocean Race sailor through its 3D cinema, simulator and winch grinding challenge. 



But taking centre stage at every Race Village are the stars of the Volvo Ocean Race – the six 70 foot Volvo Open 70 racing yachts, their expert crew and dedicated shore team.

For the first time ever the team zones are open to the public allowing fans to watch master boat builders and design experts do their thing. 
The Race Village also provide the perfect place to watch the yachts race, when they lock horns in close-quarter In-Port Races, just metres from the shore.

An estimated four million people will visit the race villages at Volvo Ocean Race Host Ports – make sure you’re one of them!

Find out more about the 2011-12 host ports here.

Download the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Schedule.