Top-class sailing event takes over Helsinki city centre – Race Village at Lyypekinlaituri
16.6.2026 / 14:40
A top-class international sailing event will take over the waterfront area of Helsinki city centre from 28 June to 3 July 2026, when the prestigious Dragon class will compete for the European Championship. The Race Village, which will be erected at Lyypekinlaituri, next to the Old Market Hall, will offer a front-row seat for watching the race.
This summer, the Helsinki archipelago will serve as the backdrop for one of the most classic boat classes in the world of sailing: the Dragon. The Dragon European Championship will bring around 70 crews and top sailors from across Europe to Helsinki.
The Dragon is one of the largest and most competitive keelboat classes in the world. This former Olympic class continues to attract some of the biggest names in sailing, from Olympic medallists to America’s Cup veterans. This year’s group of competitors is one of the largest that the European Championships have seen in years: there are teams from 12 countries and sailors representing 20 different nationalities.
The focal point of the competition is the historical island of Valkosaari, but you can also get into the competitive atmosphere on the mainland. At the Race Village, located at Lyypekinlaituri next to the Old Market Hall, spectators can watch the race on a screen, hear the latest news from the sea and take part in activities offered for free throughout the championship week.
The programme available at the Race Village highlights sailing, maritime culture and the way of life in the Baltic Sea region. The participants include local Sea Scouts, the Traditional Sailors of Helsinki, the Helsinki Sea Rescue Society and the Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association, among others.
You can access the Race Village at Lyypekinlaituri and Valkosaari, the host island of the race, for free.
Programme at Lyypekinlaituri
8.30 The first ferry to Valkosaari departs
10.30 The stalls and terrace open
10.30–11.30 Live music will kick off the day
11.00 Free sailing cruise: registrations
12.00 Live stream of the race on a screen, Tue–Thu
13.00 On-stage activities
14.30 Free sailing cruise: registrations
16.00 Spectator boats return
16.45 The last ferry from Valkosaari arrives
17.00 The stalls close
19.30 A free film screening starts
Main themes for each day:
28 June Opening of the Race Village
29 June Sailing and children
30 June The Baltic Sea and the environment
1 July Seamanship and safety
2 July Competitive sailing
3 July Closing and award ceremony for the Dragon European Championship at 17.30
Free film screenings on the giant screen at Lyypekinlaituri Sun–Thu 28 June–2 July at 19.30
28 June The Life of Pi
29 June The Perfect Storm
30 June Master and Commander
1 July The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
2 July Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl