--- title: About the Sneekweek - Sneekweek description: The Royal Yacht Club Sneek (KWS) has organized this special event sinds 1934. It takes place in the north of the Netherlands, in the province of Friesland. In 2023, the event will be held from 5 through 10 August locale: nl_NL url: "https://www.sneekweek.nl/about-the-sneekweek/" site_name: Sneekweek updated_time: "2026-07-13T14:38:12+02:00" image:secure_url: "https://www.sneekweek.nl/content/uploads/2009/08/IMG_0265_groot.jpg" image:width: 500 image:height: 375 image:alt: About the Sneekweek image:type: image/jpeg --- # About the Sneekweek - Sneekweek ![sneekweek regenbogen starteiland header 2](https://www.sneekweek.nl/content/uploads/2026/07/sneekweek-regenbogen-starteiland-header-2.jpg "About the Sneekweek 1") # About the Sneekweek ## Welcome international sailors ### The Royal Yacht Club Sneek (KWS) has organized this special event sinds 1934. It takes place in the north of the Netherlands, in the province of Friesland. In 2026, the event will be held from 1 through 6 August. The Sneekweek is Europe’s largest inshore sailing regatta. The most important thing for many people, however, is the fun and hugely enjoyable atmosphere for which we are famous! Sailors compete in 30 different classes. Optimist, Solo, Laser, Vaurien, Yngling, Finn, 2.4mR, J22, Splash and Windsurfert LT among others offer loyal fleets that keep coming back for more. Sneekweek easily compares Travemünder Woche or Kieler Woche, except it is much more personal. ## 2026 Program ### **The opening ceremony** The opening ceremony will take place in the city centre of Sneek on Friday July 31 at 9.30 pm. The event will be kicked off with a traditional “vlootschouw”. Forty boats, each representing its class, will be accompanied by classical boats and music. This ceremony ends around midnight with huge fireworks. ### **The Races** The next day, the race committee will mark out the courses using 24 buoys, spread out across different connecting lakes. The audience will come to the Start Island in large numbers, ensuring an excellent atmosphere. Sneekweek is a challenging, professionally run, but most of all very unique and down-to-earth event! Every your class will race about 2 hours a day and 30 classes start each day which ensures a fully packed lake and excitement to watch and participate. ### **After racing** When racing finishes, the party begins! During Sneekweek the [city of Sneek](https://www.sneek.nl/en) dazzles more than ever before. In the heart of Sneek you will be entertained by lots of different bands and you can visit the local fun fair. Even the Start Island rocks with music night and day in a huge party tent. The Royal Yacht Club Sneek invites you to take part in the Sneekweek! ![sneekweek 2019 starteiland toren bezoekers](https://www.sneekweek.nl/content/uploads/2026/07/sneekweek-2019-starteiland-toren-bezoekers.jpg "About the Sneekweek 2") [ Notice of Race (NoR) & Sailing Instructions (SI) ](https://www.sneekweek.nl/aankondiging-sneekweek) [ Noticeboard ](https://www.sneekweek.nl/deelnemers/noticeboard) [ Register ](https://www.sneekweek.nl/register) [ Starting schedule ](https://www.sneekweek.nl/startrooster) [ SailorApp ](https://www.sneekweek.nl/deelnemers/sailorapp) [ City of Sneek ](https://www.sneek.nl/en) ![sneekweek schakel zeilen 2021](https://www.sneekweek.nl/content/uploads/2026/07/sneekweek-schakel-zeilen-2021.jpg "About the Sneekweek 3") ![Sneekweek feest bezoekers starteiland boot hardzeildag](https://www.sneekweek.nl/content/uploads/2026/07/Sneekweek-feest-bezoekers-starteiland-boot-hardzeildag.jpg "About the Sneekweek 4") ![Sneekweek feest bezoekers blazers](https://www.sneekweek.nl/content/uploads/2026/07/Sneekweek-feest-bezoekers-blazers.jpg "About the Sneekweek 5") ![sneekweek schakel zeilen 2021](https://www.sneekweek.nl/content/uploads/2026/07/sneekweek-schakel-zeilen-2021.jpg "About the Sneekweek 6") ![Sneekweek feest bezoekers starteiland boot hardzeildag](https://www.sneekweek.nl/content/uploads/2026/07/Sneekweek-feest-bezoekers-starteiland-boot-hardzeildag.jpg "About the Sneekweek 7") ![Sneekweek feest bezoekers blazers](https://www.sneekweek.nl/content/uploads/2026/07/Sneekweek-feest-bezoekers-blazers.jpg "About the Sneekweek 8") In a unique atmosphere ## Fancy a sail? Come visit the largest inshore European sailing regatta: Sneekweek! 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