As the result of a strategic partnership, the brand new AMAALA Yacht Club in Saudi Arabia joins the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) along with the Women’s World Match Racing Tour (WWMRT) this year.
Located within the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nature Reserve, the club is situated in the Triple Bay area, one of the tourist destinations in the Amaala Project, which stretches along the northwestern coast of the Kingdom on the Red Sea.
The recently announced partnership reinforces the Red Sea’s emergence as a significant sailing destination and confirms AMAALA’s role as a long-term home for elite competition, talent development and international events.
As part of the partnership, which was announced in January, the season finales of both the Open and Women’s World Match Racing Tours will be hosted by AMAALA in a multi-year agreement starting in December 2026. That will mark the first time the World Match Racing Tour has staged events in the Middle East, as well as the opening of the AMAALA Sailing Season and establishing the club as a winter centre of excellence for high-performance sailing.
For the first time in the history of the Tours, prize money for the Open and Women’s finals will be equal, underlining a shared commitment to excellence, fairness and the future of the sport.
“We are extremely grateful to AMAALA Yacht Club for its long-term vision and commitment to the World Match Racing Tour and Women’s World Match Racing Tour,” said James Pleasance, Executive Director of the World Match Racing Tour and Women’s World Match Racing Tour.
“This announcement is a major milestone for us as our first time staging events in the Middle East. The equal prize money reflects the calibre of athletes competing across both Tours and the importance of developing meaningful pathways for the next generation of sailors and world champions. AMAALA offers exceptional sailing conditions and world-class facilities, and a clear ambition to support the sport beyond competition alone.”
The partnership will extend beyond racing in the lead-up to the 2026 Finale. A series of workshops and training programmes will be developed at AMAALA by WMRT, designed to support emerging sailors, umpires, race officials, and coaches. These initiatives will form part of AMAALA Yacht Club’s broader commitment to education, skills development, and the long- term growth of sailing in the region.
“This partnership is about much more than hosting a season finale,” said Adrian Peet, General Manager of AMAALA Yacht Club.
“It reflects our ambition to build an outstanding yachting establishment on the Red Sea – one that contributes to the global sailing calendar, develops talent and delivers world-class competition in a responsible and sustainable way. The World Match Racing Tour aligns perfectly with our vision: high-level racing, strong pathways and a focus on skill, discipline and excellence.”
The announcement further strengthens AMAALA’s position within the international sailing landscape, following confirmation that AMAALA will host the 2027 Ocean Race, one of the most prestigious events in offshore sailing. Together, these milestones underline AMAALA Yacht Club’s role as a long-term platform for both inshore and offshore racing at the highest level. Set against the backdrop of the Red Sea’s predictable winter winds, warm waters and pristine environment, AMAALA Yacht Club is establishing a carefully curated yachting season supported by world-class infrastructure, a private members’ yacht club and a strong emphasis on stewardship, learning and legacy.
The WMRT and WWMRT Finals will act as the opening event of the annual AMAALA Yachting Season, with a broader calendar of international regattas, offshore races, superyacht gatherings and development programmes planned to follow.
For more information, please visit Amaala Yacht Club | Visit Red Sea or – World Match Racing Tour.