Phuket King's Cup Regatta
Phuket King's Cup Regatta takes place Dec 5 - 12, 2026 in Phuket, Thailand. The dress code is Beach casual by day; themed party nights plus a gala evening where crews dress up, so pack a shirt and something for the fancy-dress night. Typical cost ranges from 700 to 2500 EUR per person.
Asia's largest regatta, founded in 1987 to mark the Thai King's birthday and run out of Kata Beach in Phuket. It fields a big multi-class fleet of keelboats, multihulls and dinghies, and the racing area sits close enough to shore that the beach becomes a grandstand. The social programme is genuinely open to outsiders, which is what separates it from the region's more closed club events.
- When
- Dec 5 - 12, 2026
- Where
- Phuket, Thailand
- Dress code
- Beach casual by day; themed party nights plus a gala evening where crews dress up, so pack a shirt and something for the fancy-dress night
- Cost
- Typical cost ranges from 700 to 2500 EUR per person.
- Weather
- 27 - 31C, dry season, steady northeast breeze and reliable sunshine
- When to book
- Entries typically open around mid-year; book Kata Beach hotels 4 to 6 months out because the regatta fills the bay
- Getting there
- HKT (Phuket), about 45 min to Kata Beach
- Where to stay
- Kata Rocks, The Boathouse Phuket, Beyond Kata
- Official site
- https://kingscup.com/
How to attend
Free to watch: the race village, beach start area and most evening entertainment on Kata Beach are open to the public with no ticket. Boat entries and crew listings go through kingscup.com, typically opening around mid-year, and charter berths are available through Phuket-based operators for sailors without a boat. If you only want the atmosphere, book a Kata Beach hotel for the week and turn up.
Free to attend with no ticket - the race village, beach start area and evening entertainment on Kata Beach are open to everyone, and only competing boats register.
Insider tip
Base yourself at Kata rather than Patong - the race village, the beach start area and every party are within walking distance, and Phuket taxi prices at midnight are punishing.
Get inside Phuket King's Cup Regatta
Booking matters here: entries typically open around mid-year; book Kata Beach hotels 4 to 6 months out because the regatta fills the bay. Members track that window, what it really costs, and 573 more events across the season.
Free while in beta. One email when your invitation is ready, nothing else.