2026 Annual Flight of Newport Beach

The Commodore’s Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce invites sailors of all ages to enter the 2026 Flight of Newport Beach.

Celebrating our 90th Year with a Legacy of “Freedom on the Water” 

The Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the return of one of Southern California’s most iconic and enduring maritime traditions:  the 90th Annual Flight of Newport Beach on Sunday, July 12, 2026.  This milestone regatta will bring together sailors from across the region to celebrate nearly a century of competitive racing in Newport Harbor.

Aligning with the national celebration of the United States’ 250th Semiquincentennial year, the theme for this year’s landmark event is centered around the word “Freedom”.  To honor this spirit, organizers are offering an entirely free registration for all participants.

Every registered racer will receive a complimentary, limited-edition 90th Anniversary Flight of Newport BeachT-shirt, free entry to an event raffle and a chance to win premium quality sailing gear worth thousands of dollars.

A Deep Heritage: From Snowbirds to Modern Fleets

The Flight of Newport Beach began in 1936 as the historic Flight of the Snowbirds, named for the small wooden boats that once filled Newport Harbor.  Over nine decades, the event has adapted alongside the evolution of modern sailing, transitioning to the Flight of the Lasers in 1975 after organizers decided to replace the aging, wooden crafts with more modern, fiberglass boats, known as Lasers.  In 2020 the race was again renamed to the Flight of Newport, to be more inclusive opening entries to ILCA (formerly known as Lasers), Harbor 20 and Tera RS boats.

This year, the Commodores Club is promoting the event to all competitive Southern California racing fleets, inviting skippers in the following classes to claim their spot on the starting line:

• Harbor 20
• ILCA (7, 6, and 4 / Full, Radial, and 4.7)
• RS Tera

The single-handed and fleet competitors will take on the traditional, challenging course that requires tactical precision to circumvent Newport Beach’s scenic bay.

Prizes will be awarded to this year’s fleet racers first to cross the finish line in these categories:  the First Girl, Youngest Boy, Youngest Girl, Oldest Person and First Married Couple.  Winners will receive prizes donated by premier marine sponsors, including:

• A brand-new, elite-performance ILCA sail donated by Vela LA
• Premium marine bottom paint packages provided by Pettit Specialty Marine Coatings
• Perpetual trophies, including awards for the oldest and youngest skippers, best costumes and the historic Albert Soiland Trophy

The Flight of Newport Beach is proudly organized and hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce with on-water race management assistance from the Balboa Yacht Club. The Commodores Club is renowned for producing Newport Beach’s most foundational community events and celebrations, including the world-famous Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

The race will begin at 1:00 PM near the historic Balboa Pavilion in Newport Harbor.  While entry is entirely free, advance online registration is mandatory to secure scoring placement, raffle tickets and T-shirt sizing.

“Reaching the 90th year of this race at the exact moment our nation celebrates 250 years of independence is a remarkable milestone. We wanted to do something unforgettable for the sailing community that has supported this harbor for generations.  By making the entire event free — from entry to T-shirts and raffles — we are celebrating the ultimate freedom that sailing provides.  We look forward to seeing our local Harbor 20, ILCA, and Tera fleets blanket the bay.”

Lawrence Jones
Chairman  |  Flight of Newport Beach