This September, Lake Geneva becomes the stage for one of sailing’s most dynamic competitions as the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix arrives in the city on 19–20 September 2026.
To mark the occasion, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva is bringing the experience ashore with The Lake Café, an experiential pop-up created for the race weekend. Set against Geneva’s waterfront, the concept offers visitors a new way to experience the atmosphere surrounding SailGP while connecting the energy of the competition with The Ritz-Carlton’s approach to hospitality.
The Lake Café forms part of a wider partnership between The Ritz-Carlton and the U.S. SailGP Team, bringing together two worlds shaped by precision, craftsmanship and attention to detail. SailGP sees 13 national teams compete aboard identical high-performance F50 catamarans, capable of reaching speeds of more than 60 miles per hour and powered entirely by wind.
Following the U.S. SailGP Team across the international racing circuit, The Ritz-Carlton has been extending the experience beyond the water through destination-led moments created around key race weekends. In New York, for example, The Ritz-Carlton Sailing Club transformed Central Park’s Conservatory Water into a gathering place for radio-controlled sailing, live music and summer dining. Geneva now becomes the partnership’s next destination, with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix positioned just moments from the action on Lake Geneva.
For the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix, The Lake Café brings the race-weekend atmosphere to the shoreline, creating a relaxed setting from which to experience one of Geneva’s most anticipated sporting events of the season.
The pop-up also reflects a broader programme created by The Ritz-Carlton around the Geneva race weekend. Guests can experience SailGP from the water aboard a private Pardo 38 yacht, watching the F50 fleet compete on the lake while enjoying catering by The Ritz-Carlton. A dedicated hotel package goes even further, combining a two-night suite stay with race tickets, access to the VELA Lounge, an up-close look at an F50 and an exclusive tour and meet-and-greet with the U.S. SailGP Team.
Together, The Lake Café and the surrounding experiences turn the arrival of SailGP into more than a weekend of racing — bringing sport, hospitality and Geneva’s relationship with the lake together in one waterfront celebration.