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. Scheduled to set sail 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.

In alignment with the national celebration of the United States’ 250th Semiquincentennial year, the theme for this year's landmark event is centered entirely around the word "Freedom." To honor this spirit, organizers are breaking down all barriers to entry, offering an entirely free registration for all participants.

Every registered racer will receive a complimentary, limited-edition 90th Anniversary Flight of Newport Beach t-shirt.True to the theme, access to the highly anticipated event raffle is also completely free, giving every competitor an equal shot at thousands of dollars in premier sailing gear and local perks.

A Deep Heritage: From Snowbirds to Modern Fleets

What is known today as the Flight of Newport Beach originally began in 1936 as the historic Flight of the Snowbirds,named after the small wooden boats that once filled the harbor. Over nine decades, the event has adapted alongside the evolution of modern sailing, briefly transitioning to the Flight of the Lasers in the 1970s before opening its boundaries in 2020 to become the highly inclusive event it is today.

This year, the Commodores Club is heavily promoting the event to all competitive Southern California racing fleets,explicitly inviting skippers in the following classes to claim their spot on the start 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 the entirety of Newport Beach’s scenic bay.

Elite Prizes on the Line

While entry is free, the stakes remain incredibly high. This year’s fleet champions and category winners will take home an extraordinary haul of prizes donated by premier marine sponsors, including:
1. A brand-new, elite-performance ILCA sail generously donated by Vela LA.
2. Premium marine bottom paint packages provided by Pettit Specialty Marine Coatings.
3. A variety of highly coveted perpetual trophies, including awards for the oldest and youngest skippers, best costumes, and the historic Albert Soiland Trophy.

Hosted by Newport's Premier Event Organizers

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 celebrations, including the world-famous Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.