Porto, Sept. 25, 2026 (Lusa) - Porto City Council is set to vote on Tuesday on whether to host the global yacht race «The Ocean Race» until 2040, with Casa da Praia serving as its headquarters and a new Museum of the Oceans, at an estimated cost of at least €22 million.
«The Strategic Partnership Agreement provides for the possibility of direct financial contributions from the City of Porto towards the organisation of events to be held in Porto, with a minimum value set at €12,025,000 spread across the events to be held up to 2040», according to a proposal to which Lusa gained access on Friday.
Added to these costs «are the separate costs of refurbishing and maintaining the Global Headquarters (Kasa da Praia Building), the construction of the Museum, the provision of free municipal services, the issuing of licences and ‘ad hoc' exemptions from public space occupancy charges», which bring the total costs to over €22 million, according to the cost breakdown in the proposal.
According to Porto City Council, «in accordance with the planned schedule, the world championships will take place in 2031, 2035 and 2039, with the associated financial costs to be included in the provisional budget documents for the relevant financial year». However, preparations to host the event, the promotion of which for Porto «is being developed in coordination with Turismo de Portugal», may have an impact sooner.
From 1 September 2027, Porto City Council will provide a temporary headquarters for the organisation while Kasa da Praia continues preparations to host The Ocean Race.
The proposal allocates the property located between Castelo do Queijo and Praia Internacional, which has stood vacant since 2021 and was transferred from the State to the municipality in July, to «the operations of The Ocean Race headquarters, engagement with the public and the development of educational activities, for a period of 12 years».
The local authority, led by Pedro Duarte (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), intends to charge the regatta organisers a nominal rent of €50 for 12 years, with the municipality bearing the «costs of maintenance, repairs, building insurance, property charges and a five-yearly technological upgrade» for the building.
According to the proposal, the estimated financial costs of adapting the building amount to €3 million, with maintenance costs totalling up to €3.25 million.
In addition to the refurbishment and preparation of the Kasa da Praia to serve as the event's venue, the council «is also keen to promote the creation of a ‘hub' bringing together sport, ocean health, science and innovation, as well as an Ocean Museum, as a museum space dedicated to interaction with the public and the development of educational activities», with estimated costs of €4 million, according to the proposal.
On Tuesday, Porto City Council will vote on «the Terms of Reference for the Strategic Partnership Agreement» between the council, Turismo de Portugal and The Ocean Race 1973 Unipessoal Lda, as well as submitting to the Municipal Assembly «authorisation to assume the multi-annual financial obligations arising from any financial commitments attributable to the municipality», totalling €12.025 million between 2026 and 2040.
Council members will also vote on transferring the Kasa da Praia to serve as the event's headquarters until 31 December 2040, with a nominal rent and various exemptions from municipal charges.
In May 2023, the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) still intended to demolish the Kasa da Praia, which had housed a private school and, later, a nightclub, according to the amended version of the Regulations on the Management of the Beaches between Caminha and Espinho, which was then under public consultation.
JE/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
