As a Northern Irish skipper leads the fleet around the world, maritime legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has revealed a personal ambition to bring the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race back to Belfast in 2028.
The current race is being led by Northern Ireland native Oli Irvine, Skipper of GOSH, whose crew are topping the global standings and showcasing Ulster’s maritime talent on the world stage. His success comes as Sir Robin Knox-Johnston reflects on his own family roots in the region, while championing Belfast as a future host port.
The renowned sailor – the first person to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe – has been sharing his personal connection to the city as discussions begin around Belfast’s potential return to the Clipper Race route in 2028.
For Sir Robin, bringing the fleet to Belfast isn’t just a strategic move for the global race he founded – it’s a homecoming. During a recent visit to the city to discuss a potential 2028 stopover, Sir Robin reflected on his childhood roots in Northern Ireland. He recalled living in Whiteharbour, along the County Antrim coast, where he spent his days playing on the banks of Belfast Lough and falling in love with the coastline. His grandfather was from Coleraine, and Sir Robin is now championing the city as the ideal host for the race’s international fleet, ensuring that Belfast continues to raise its global profile.
Speaking of the possibility of Clipper coming to Belfast in 2028, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: “To see Belfast host the race would be a personal highlight, bringing the world’s best round-the-world experience to the waters I loved as a young boy. My grandfather would be so proud to see Clipper come to Belfast and for me it’s something I feel deeply personal about. Let’s make it happen.”
The international Clipper race is a unique event that engages participants of all ages. It was created to inspire adventure, self-respect, and self-worth, ensuring that the experience is accessible to all residents. What began as a bold idea has flourished into the world’s premier round-the-world experience. When a city joins the race, it becomes part of a prestigious global community of ports, enabling connection, enterprise, and friendship. Belfast would be joining a list of leading cities such as Qingdao, Washington DC, Cape Town, and New York, alongside UK ports like Liverpool, Oban, and Derry/Londonderry.
The advantages for Belfast to host a stopover are significant. The city could see a projected £11.9m – £15.2m uplift in direct visitor spend, driven by an anticipated 350,000 visits over a 10-day programme. This represents a credible return on investment of up to 16:1 based on rights fees alone. Furthermore, the bid aligns perfectly with Belfast’s existing maritime narrative and waterfront investment, with the added value of a repeatable two-cycle platform in 2028 and 2030 to ensure long-term benefits.
Gerard Rice, Director of LORAG (Lower Ormeau Resident’s Action Group), said: “The River Lagan is at the heart of Belfast and we’ve seen through our work at LORAG how the water can bring people together from every background. Hosting the Clipper Race is a unique opportunity to connect our local communities to a global stage. It’s about more than yachts; it’s about community pride, opening up our waterfront to families in South Belfast and beyond, and ensuring that the legacy of this race is felt in our neighbourhoods for years to come.”
Tessa Breslin, Director of Breslin Consulting and a former participant from Northern Ireland in the 2024 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, said: “Having experienced the endurance, skill, and spirit of adventure that the Clipper Race demands firsthand, I know what a massive thing this would be for our local people. This event wouldn’t just be a race; it would be an inspiration for the next generation, showcasing Belfast as a world-class destination and proving that our city belongs on the global stage.”
Bob Harper MBE, veteran of the NI sailing community and advocate for inclusive maritime activity, said: “In Northern Ireland, we are extremely proud of our sailing community. We have a heritage that is second to none, and bringing the Clipper Race to Belfast would be a massive moment for everyone and our local clubs. Through my work with Sailability, I’ve seen how sailing can transform lives by being inclusive. Belfast is on the up, and this event would firmly establish it as a true best-in-class destination.”
Belfast is now, officially, one of the world’s ‘top trending’ destinations for 2026 and is currently preparing to host major first-time milestones including European City of Sport 2026 and the world-renowned Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Belfast is on the up and only enthusiasm, drive and commitment from all will firmly establish it as a true best in class destination.
