Tall Ships Races draw 500,000 visitors to Antwerp

More than 500,000 people attended The Tall Ships Races in Antwerp over four days, watching 34 sailing ships from 13 nations moor along the Schelde quays and docks. The programme featured live concerts, fireworks, a Crew Parade, sport‑and‑game competitions for trainees, and a revived Sail Out event held for the first time in ten years. Mayor Els van Doesburg and local officials highlighted the festival’s role in linking the city’s maritime heritage with international visitors and youth crews. After the Antwerp stop, the fleet set sail for Stavanger, Norway, with a final leg planned for Aalborg, Denmark, confirming Antwerp’s status as an Anchor Port that will host the races every four years.