Hey travelers, welcome to the ultimate guide for curious travelers and sea lovers: here you find everything you need to live regatta Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025, the most scenic sailing event in Venice.
This guide by Venice Insider Guide is for all those who want more info on Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025 and tips to see the regatta and historical curiosities.
Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025: XII° edition
Sailing meets Venetian elegance in one of the most anticipated events of the year: Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025, now in its 12th edition.
Every October, Venice becomes the stage of one of the most spectacular regattas in the international calendar, turning the St. Mark’s Basin into a catwalk on the water where sport, luxury and lifestyle come together in one experience.
This is not just a sport event: it’s a way to discover a different face of the city, the one that lives in symbiosis with the sea and its maritime traditions, but with a touch of glamour that only Venice can give.
What is Venice Hospitality Challenge
Venice Hospitality Challenge is an exclusive regatta that brings together high level maxi yachts, Venetian luxury hospitality and a unique backdrop: the St. Mark’s Basin. It’s presented as the “City of Venice Grand Prix” and is a formula that combines sport, lifestyle and local hospitality promotion.
How does Venice Hospitality Challenge work
Venice Hospitality Challenge is a one of a kind regatta, so much so that it’s called the City of Venice Grand Prix. It brings together some of the most famous maxi yachts in the world, skippered by professional crews and paired with the big names of Venetian hospitality. Each boat is a luxury hotel, creating a direct link between excellence of hospitality and the thrill of sailing.
What makes this regatta really special is its exclusivity: it’s the only one in the world to take place entirely within the waters of a city, among canals, bell towers and historic palaces. The sails unfurl just a few meters from the crowded shores, offering a breathtaking view and an unprecedented perspective on the Serenissima.
The event was born from the idea of Mirko Sguario, president of Yacht Club Venezia, who in 2014 thought of a way to combine sport, tourism and hospitality. Today, twelve years later, his idea has become an unmissable event for sailing enthusiasts and curious.
Where is Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025
The race takes place within the lagoon of Venice, with start and main legs in the St. Mark’s Basin, the same water basin that hosts St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace. It’s a stunning backdrop for photography and for those who love to watch sailing from the shore.
St. Mark’s Basin
The Basin is the most central and scenic area of the lagoon: Riva degli Schiavoni, Punta della Dogana, the Biennale Gardens and the Giudecca shores offer different and complementary views. During the event floating pontoons are set up for the maxi yachts and areas for the public to watch.
When is Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025
Mark the date: Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025 will take place on Saturday 18 October. The start of the race is scheduled for around 1:30 pm, but get there early. Morning is the perfect time to walk around the pontoons where the maxi yachts are moored and watch the crews preparing, between briefings and last minute adjustments to the sails.
The weather in Venice in mid October is generally mild but can be variable: a light southerly wind or a sea breeze can make it an ideal day for sailing. Bring a light jacket, comfortable shoes and if you like photography, don’t forget your camera: the light on the water and the coloured sails will offer great shots.
Dates Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025: 18 October
The XII edition is Saturday 18 October 2025: the start is scheduled for the afternoon (estimated time around 1:30 pm, with the announcement given by the water jets of the tugboats). If you want to be on site for the start of the race and the early stages, plan to be there in the morning to find a good spot.
Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025 information
We have gathered all the information about Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025 here.
- Only regata / Regata esclusiva: the formula is designed to create an urban sailing show, with maxi yachts, racing boats and selected participations.
- City of Venice Grand Prix: also known as this, to emphasize the link with the city and its excellence image.
- Maxi Yacht: the race is reserved for maxi yachts: big boats, professional crews and a strong technology and performance component.
- Sport, luxury and lifestyle: alongside the sporting competition, the event is a container for high-end hotelier relationships, hospitality and B2B networking (the so-called “Hotel Regatta”).
- Unicity: often described as the only regatta in the world that takes place entirely within the waters of a city, a feature that makes it very media and photogenic.
- Conceived and organized by Mirko Sguario: the race was born from the idea of Mirko Sguario, Yacht Club Venezia president, and under the club’s direction it has taken shape as an annual event.
- Born: the event started in October 2014 as an intuition to combine excellence sailing and promotion of Venetian hospitality; since then it has grown to become a fixed appointment in the city’s nautical calendar.
What to see around Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025
You can also use the Venice Hospitality Challenge as an excuse to explore the city. Between a start and an arrival, you could visit St. Mark’s Basilica or climb the Campanile from where you can see the whole course of the race. Another idea is to jump to Punta della Dogana, today a contemporary art museum, or cross the Grand Canal and stroll through the Dorsoduro sestiere.
If you like views from above, go up the San Giorgio Maggiore campanile: from up there the view of the Basin and the sails is really breathtaking. And when the race is over, enjoy a sunset aperitif at the Giudecca or a lunch at a restaurant with a water view: the perfect way to end the day in true Venetian style.
How to get to St. Mark’s Basin
Take it easy: vaporetto line 1 or 2 will leave you nearby, but walking is the real experience. If you prefer less crowd, take the vaporetto to Giudecca and find a quiet bench to enjoy the race. If you’re sailing your own boat, check the local regulations and the restricted areas: water traffic control is strict during the race days.
FAQ
When is the Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025?
The race is on Saturday 18 October 2025, start time around 1:30 pm.
Can I attend for free?
Yes, the event is free and visible from many points along the St. Mark’s Basin. However, some terraces and locations offer special packages for a more exclusive experience.Where can I see the maxi yachts up close?
Before the race, many boats are moored along the Giudecca Canal where you can see them up close and maybe meet the crew members.
Do I need to book to attend the race?
You don’t need to book to watch from the shore, but if you want a privileged view (private terraces or boat tours), it’s better to plan ahead.
Conclusion
The Venice Hospitality Challenge 2025 is a must for sailing, beauty and Venetian style lovers.
It’s not just a race, but an experience that combines tradition and modernity, sport and lifestyle, wind and architectural beauty.
It’s the perfect occasion to discover Venice in a different way, letting yourself be carried away by the rhythm of the waves and the timeless charm of the lagoon.
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