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Sporting Events

The mild climate in the English Riviera, Devon means there are plenty of opportunities to get out and get active all through the year. You’ll find a wide range of sports events to watch or take part in on land and sea.

Sailing and speed

The English Riviera is port of call for a long list of national sailing and powerboat championships. With literally hundreds of boats from around the UK turning up to race in our waters, you can often catch some of the action when you look out across the Bay. The coastpath and seafront of Torquay and Brixham, as well as Berry Head, all offer a great vantage point to watch the races. Or get out on the water yourself to get even closer.

As well as hosting national championships, we’ve also got our own special sailing events. The whole of Torquay goes into celebratory mode during the Torbay Royal Regatta. Or if vintage sailing boats catch your eye, go along to the Brixham Heritage Sailing Regatta over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Four wheel action

It might not quite be Formula 1, but the Pedal Car Grand Prix, held every year at Torre Abbey Gardens, Torquay, is a lot of fun. As well as the daredevil racing, there’s a bouncy castle, bric-a-brac stalls, live entertainment, and refreshments at this July fixture.

Four-legged action

The racecourses at Newton Abbot and Exeter are only a short drive or train ride away. Considered one of the country’s leading summer jumps courses, there are 19 thrilling races a year at Newton Abbot if you fancy a flutter. Or drive to Exeter Racecourse high on Haldon Hill. You’ll find races throughout the year, including the popular New Year’s Day meet. The course is the highest in the country at 850ft above sea level. Races have been taking place here for over 350 years and National Hunt champions including Desert Orchid and Best Mate have both started their career at the course.

Torquay football

Torquay has its own football club, Torquay United. Fondly known as the Gulls, the club currently plays in the National League. Head up to Plainmoor, Torquay to watch them and enjoy a pie or more at the Gulls Nest.

Put on your running shoes

The Torbay Half Marathon covers a traffic free course from Paignton to Torquay and back. Watch the annual spectacle or take part – there are prizes for a range of age categories as well as best fancy dress.

Boxing Day Dip

Every year, brave souls take to the water at Corbyn Head Beach in Torquay for the Boxing Day Dip. Organised by No.200 Squadron (Torquay) Air Training Corps, it’s a decidedly different way to work off the excesses of the day before.

Whether you want to be a spectator or get involved, check out the sports events taking place across Torbay.

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Dates

From:
23 May 2026
From:
3 Sept 2026

Visit of the Waverley Paddle Steamer

Address

Tor Bay, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5SW

Telephone
0141 243 2224

Torquay

Dates

From:
23 May 2026
From:
3 Sept 2026

Waverley is truly unique, she is the World’s last seagoing paddle steamer and was famously gifted to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) for £1 in 1974. Since 1975 Waverley has been operated on a not-for-profit basis to keep alive the…

Type

Type:

Maritime

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Web Site
Dates

From:

21 Sept 2026to4 Oct 2026

England's Seafood FEAST

Address

Various Locations throughout, the English Riviera, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
01803 211211

enquiries@englishrivierabid.co.uk

Dates

From:

21 Sept 2026to4 Oct 2026

ENGLAND'S SEAFOOD FEAST - Save the dates: 26th September – 12th October 2025
Dive into England’s Seafood FEAST on the English Riviera
For seafood lovers, there’s no better place to be this autumn than England’s Seafood FEAST, a two-week…

Type

Type:

England's Seafood FEAST

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:
30 Aug 2026

GoGps Cowes-Torquay-Cowes

Address

Vaughan Parade, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
+44 (0)1983 290558

lauralevi535@gmail.com

Torquay

Dates

From:
30 Aug 2026

The GoGps Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race will be roaring into Torbay on Sunday 30th August – the Bank Holiday weekend. The prestigious race, the most famous powerboat race in the world, is the highlight of the 3-day Isle of Wight based GoGPS…

Type

Type:

Sports

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Web Site
Dates

From:

11 July 2026to12 July 2026

Torbay Dinghy Regatta

Address

Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Beacon Terrace, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2BH

events@rtyc.org

Torquay

Dates

From:

11 July 2026to12 July 2026

The Torbay Dinghy Regatta will take place over the weekend July 11th – 12th Open to PY Dinghies both Asymmetric and Non-Asymmetric, and Junior Classes.
The club is especially excited that the Melges 15 class have chosen Torbay to host their…

Type

Type:

Sailing

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:
11 July 2026
From:
12 July 2026

Agatha Christie Sea Swim Weekend

Address

leaves from Broadsands Beach, and Beacon Cove, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6LL

Paignton

Dates

From:
11 July 2026
From:
12 July 2026

The Agatha Christie Sea Swim will be returning with a brand-new format over the weekend of Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 July.
We’ve moved the swim to the summer this year for a few practical reasons – including better availability of safety support,…

Type

Type:

Swimming

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:
11 June 2026
From:
17 June 2026

Magical Musical Sunset Tour

Address

English Riviera Visitor Information Centre, 5 Vaughan Parade, TORQUAY, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
01803 211211

TORQUAY

Dates

From:
11 June 2026
From:
17 June 2026

This event is part of the English Riviera Walking Festival.
Roll up for a truly pop-tastic experience!
Over the years, Torquay has been entertained by some of the greatest names in music, like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Bowie and…

Type

Type:

Guided Walk

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:
5 July 2026Open 07:00 - 12:00

English Riviera Aquathlon

Address

Torre Abbey Sands Torquay, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6NE

Telephone
07866 567 894

enquiries@sportivaevents.co.uk

Price
Price £74.00 Per Ticket

Torquay

Dates

From:
5 July 2026Open 07:00 - 12:00

The English Riviera Aquathlon (sometimes spelt aquathon) is a swim run in Torbay. It starts with a great sea swim in the warm, and usually calm waters of Torquay Beach. Then after a quick jog to transition, put your running shoes on for a flat…

Type

Type:

Sporting

Price
Price £74.00 Per Ticket

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

5 Aug 2026to9 Aug 2026

Solo National Championship

Address

Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Beacon Terrace, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2BH

Torquay

Dates

From:

5 Aug 2026to9 Aug 2026

Solo National Championship
Awaiting Further Information

Type

Type:

Sporting

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

13 Mar 2027to14 Mar 2027

Optimist Spring Championship

Address

Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Beacon Terrace, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2BH

Telephone
01803 292006

admin@optimist.org.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

13 Mar 2027to14 Mar 2027

Optimist Spring Championship
Torquay Harbour has close links with the leisure and tourism industry acting as a base for many boat trips and watersports. In addition to this, it remains a fully operational working harbour and bustling port.
The…

Type

Type:

Competition/Game

More Details

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Web Site

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Sporting Events

Sailing and speed

Four wheel action

Four-legged action

Torquay football

Put on your running shoes

Boxing Day Dip

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