On October 18th, 2025, Venice will host its renowned regatta.
Venice is preparing for the return of its Sailing Grand Prix: the 2025 edition of the renowned regatta was presented on Tuesday, October 7th, during a press conference held in the Sala Giunta Grande of Ca’ Farsetti, the seat of the City of Venice. Conceived by Mirko Sguario, President of the Yacht Club Venezia, this is the only regatta whose course unfolds entirely within the inner waters of the Serenissima, allowing spectators to follow the race up close from the Rive of San Marco to the Giudecca Canal. Excellence Magazine is proud to be a media partner of this prestigious event.
The 12th Grand Prix of the City of Venice – Venice Hospitality Challenge will officially begin on Saturday, October 18th, at approximately 1:30 pm, marked by the powerful water jets of tugboats in front of Punta della Dogana. Starting Thursday, October 16th, visitors and sailing enthusiasts will have the opportunity to admire the participating boats moored at a floating dock on the Giudecca Canal, made possible through the collaboration of the Fondazione Scuola Piccola Zattere, the Port Authority, and the Harbour Master’s Office. The dock, over 75 meters long and built by Boscolo Bielo, will serve as the event’s headquarters. Recent regulations issued by the City and Maritime Authorities concerning wave motion will ensure safer and more stable mooring.
The awards ceremony will take place at the VYP dock at the Zattere, where the Barcolana Venice Hospitality Trophy will also be presented. This challenge trophy is awarded to the highest-ranked boat, based on the best combined results in the Barcolana Maxi Portopiccolo Trophy and the Venice Hospitality Challenge. As per tradition, the skippers will compete for the celebrated Doge’s Hat, a symbol of Venice’s power. Crafted annually from Murano glass and uniquely interpreted by master glassmakers, this year’s trophy was beautifully created by the historic Simone Cenedese glassworks.
This edition of the Grand Prix of the City of Venice – Venice Hospitality Challenge features four boat categories, one of which is paired with Venice’s luxury hotel sector. Prestigious hotels such as Danieli, Ca’ Sagredo, and Palazzina G will compete alongside the boats Adriatic Europa, Shining, and Pegaso. The starting line will showcase a fleet of 18 maxi yachts, ranging from 52 to 100 feet (16 to 30 meters), including the unforgettable Moro di Venezia, which will be racing on behalf of the Boat Show.
Social commitment and sustainability have long been central to the Yacht Club Venezia. Once again, it will partner with the Italian league for the Fight Against Cancer through the Vaporetto Rosa, a low-impact vessel promoting breast cancer prevention. With the support of Energia Pura and Mure a Dritta, the Venice Yacht Club also demonstrates its dedication to environmental sustainability by providing recycled and recyclable shirts for crews and staff, a simple yet meaningful gesture that reinforces its sustainability message.
“The Venice Hospitality Challenge was born from a dream: to offer Venice a unique event that unites sailing—a sport deeply connected to our city—with hospitality, which has always represented its soul,” said Mirko Sguario, President of Yacht Club Venezia. “The journey has not been easy, but over time it has allowed us to grow and engage with the international yachting community, welcoming distinguished personalities. This year, together with the Port System Authority, we continue the Port Educational project, which involves primary school students in workshops at Scuola Piccola Zattere focused on sailing, the environment, and sustainability, with participation from sailing champions such as Mauro Pelaschier. The Venice Hospitality Challenge is more than a regatta: it is a meeting point for sport, culture, hospitality, and respect for the environment. It belongs to Venice, and I am confident it will once again provide unforgettable experiences this year.”
During the press conference, Ermelinda Damiano, President of the Venice City Council, proudly highlighted the continued presence of the Vaporetto Rosa, symbolizing the city’s commitment to breast cancer awareness. The vessel will sail along the regatta route, spreading a message of solidarity and health throughout the Lagoon.
Andrea Tomaello, Deputy Mayor of Venice, praised the event: “A heartfelt thanks to Mirko, the soul of this incredible team, who, with passion and dedication, renews and elevates this event year after year. Continuously innovating is not easy, yet this event has endured even during the toughest years. From a sporting perspective, it is a great honor to host an event of this caliber in our city: sailing is Venice’s quintessential discipline, and witnessing these magnificent boats up close is a privilege like no other. At the same time, this event promotes high-quality tourism, which is exactly the future we envision for Venice.”
Sponsored by the City of Venice, the Veneto Region and the Northern Adriatic Sea Port System Authority, the Venice Hospitality Challenge is supported by partners Vela Spa, the Venice Boat Show, the Italian Navy, Venezia Le Città in Festa, the Harbour Master’s Office, the Coast Guard, the Military Corps of the Order of Malta and the Italian Sailing Federation. Main sponsors include Generali Italia, Ca’ Sagredo, Hotel Danieli, Palazzina G, Boscolo Bielo, Prosecco DOC, and ABC Zattere, with technical sponsors Alilaguna, Assonautica, Bellini Canella, MureaDritta, Panfido, Select, and VYP.
