In just 10 days, 260 boats and thousands of sailors will gather on Chicago’s lakefront for the 117th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust, the largest annual offshore race in the world.
Beginning Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, the fleet will take on the iconic 333-mile course traversing the entire length of Lake Michigan from Chicago to Mackinac Island, Michigan — a bucket-list test of preparation, navigation, endurance and teamwork that has helped define summer sailing on the Great Lakes for generations.
“The Mac Race has been part of Chicago’s sporting fabric since 1898 — older than the World Series and the Indianapolis 500 — and it remains one of the city’s great summer traditions,” said Kevin Foote, chair of the Race to Mackinac. “This year, with competitors representing 45 states and eight countries, the race once again brings sailors from around the world to Chicago for one of the most iconic challenges in offshore sailing.”
“The Race to Mackinac is a Chicago tradition that has brought people together for generations and Wintrust is proud to support this rich history,” said Rich Murphy, Vice Chairman and Chief Lending Officer of Wintrust. “As presenting sponsor, we’re honored to help introduce new generations to the sport and the community that surrounds it.”
The 2026 race will again feature the Skyline Sprint, a spectator-friendly opening leg introduced last year to bring the race closer to Chicago residents and visitors. Weather permitting, both the Cruising and Racing divisions will sail north along the lakefront toward a turning mark near Montrose Harbor before continuing up Lake Michigan.
The Skyline Sprint gives fans a rare opportunity to watch the fleet race in front of the city, with viewing opportunities along the lakefront from Navy Pier north toward Diversey, Belmont and Montrose harbors.
This year’s race also marks the debut of the new Mixed Plus Award, recognizing top-performing teams that prioritize inclusive crew composition. The award will be presented to eligible teams with a maximum of 50% male sailors over the age of 18, encouraging broader participation by women and youth sailors across the fleet.
The Mixed Plus Award is the first award of its kind in the Race’s 117-year history and reflects the Chicago Yacht Club’s continued focus on growing offshore sailing while preserving the competitive spirit and tradition of the Mac Race.
“Creating more pathways for women and youth to participate at a high level is essential to the future of our sport,” said Chicago Yacht Club Commodore Laura Sigmond. “The Mixed Plus Award is about opening doors, fostering team development and recognizing those who are actively building more inclusive crews on the starting line.”
The 2026 fleet includes boats of all sizes and styles, from family cruisers to highly competitive racing machines crewed by professional teams. The race also continues to attract new participants, with 36 first-time entries preparing to take on the Mac Race for the first time this year.
The Cruising Division will start Friday, July 10 at 3 p.m. The Racing Division will start Saturday, July 11 beginning at 11 a.m., with class starts continuing through approximately 2 p.m.