2026 Hobie 16 International Championship brings global competition to Ocean Springs
Sailors from around the world are on the Mississippi Gulf Coast this month as Ocean Springs hosts one of the sport’s premier international events.
The 2026 Hobie 16 International Championship is underway in Ocean Springs, bringing elite competitors from across the globe to race on the waters of the Mississippi Sound. The championship is being hosted by the Ocean Springs Yacht Club and the Ocean Springs Sailing Squadron in cooperation with Hobie Class Division 15.
Organizers say the event is a major milestone for both the local sailing community and the state of Mississippi. Since the championship began in 1976, the United States has hosted the competition only four times, making Ocean Springs a rare choice for the prestigious international regatta.
The two-week championship runs through September 25 and features two separate series of competition. The first segment includes races for Masters, Grand Masters, Great Grand Masters, Women, and Youth divisions from September 14 through September 17. Following those events, sailors will compete in qualifying races before advancing to the Open Championship Finals.
This year’s championship has attracted competitors from 11 countries spanning six continents, showcasing some of the top sailing talent in the world. According to organizers, 59 of the sailors competing are either national or world champions, making the field one of the strongest seen in Hobie 16 competition.
The event is the culmination of more than three years of planning and preparation by local organizers, who worked to bring the championship to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Beyond the racing itself, the competition provides an opportunity to showcase Ocean Springs to an international audience and generate economic activity for the region.
As competitors battle for world titles on the water, organizers hope the championship will leave a lasting impact on the local sailing community while highlighting the Mississippi Gulf Coast as a destination for major international sporting events.
The 2026 Hobie 16 International Championship continues through September 25 in Ocean Springs.
