the 2026 St. Maarten Heineken RegattA HEADLINERS WILL MAKE YOU SWEAT!

January 14, 2026 [Simpson Bay, St. Maarten] – The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is proud to announce its 2026 headline act, set to take the stage on Sunday, March 8. As sailors and locals alike already know, Sunday at Regatta Village is the biggest party on the island. And this year, the “Bad Boys of Reggae” will make it unforgettable: Inner Circle is coming to St. Maarten, and they will make you sweat!

With a legendary career spanning more than 50 years, Inner Circle is one of the most respected and globally celebrated reggae groups of all time. This Grammy-winning Jamaican quintet first broke onto the international scene in the mid‑70s, and their signature pop‑infused island beats and electric live performances have carried them far beyond the traditional reggae niche.

Their global breakthrough came with the smash hit “Sweat (A La La La La Long),” topping charts across Asia, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, where it famously remained No. 1 in Germany for three months and became the most‑played record in the country’s history. Their mega‑hit “Bad Boys” sold over seven million copies worldwide and found renewed fame as the theme song for the blockbuster Bad Boys film franchise starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

In recent years, Inner Circle has continued to set trends with their own concert series Reggae Jam, while collaborating with next‑generation stars, including past St. Maarten Heineken Regatta artists Flo‑Rida and Shaggy. As drummer Lancelot Hall said about their global reach: “If it’s on the map, we’re going there.” Now, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Village will be the next stop on that map.

From March 5-8, the Regatta Village at Princess Casino & Hotel Port de Plaisance opens its doors daily at 4 PM with free entry for all. After an intense day of world‑class racing, sailors will return to the village to cool off with an ice‑cold Heineken and share their hottest stories from the racecourse.

Live music kicks off nightly around 4 PM, where festival‑goers will enjoy a dynamic showcase of local artists, from the island’s best rock bands to rising talent ready for global discovery. The regatta stage has long been a career‑launching platform, and 2026 promises to spotlight more new voices than ever before.

The Regatta Village food court will serve up all the different flavors of St. Maarten, celebrating the island’s rich culinary fusion, while the tropical marina‑side vibe sets the backdrop for friends, families, tourists, and competitors to come together in true regatta tradition.

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is about more than big wins and late nights; it’s about community, culture, and connection. The Regatta Village offers family‑friendly entertainment all weekend long, ensuring fun for all generations. Visitors can enjoy diverse cuisine, vibrant local music, and an inclusive festival environment ro

oted in celebration and the regatta’s legendary mantra: “Serious Fun!”

“Traveling around the world, you really learn that everybody’s basically the same,” observes Inner Circle bassist Ian Lewis. “We are all one, regardless of our different ideas, and music is the best way to communicate that. Music is the highest language; it transcends politics, geography, skin color-it transcends all the things that separate people.” It’s this belief that makes Inner Circle the perfect fit for the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

Get ready, because on Sunday, March 8, 2026, the party will be La La La La Long. Arrive early to secure your free entry before the venue reaches capacity. This is the party you won’t want to miss.

For more information on the 2026 event and entertainment schedule follow updates from the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta social media and heinekenregatta.com

Film courtesy of Volano Media, with additional footage from Digital Island, Souleyman Productions, and Orange Grove.

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St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

Celebrating 46 years, this Regatta just keeps getting better, four days of world-class racing with some of the world’s most seasoned sailors, hailing from over 35 countries. This is genuinely a Regatta for everyone, including professional teams sailing Maxis, Monohulls, and Performance Multihulls to holiday-makers on chartered Bareboats to live-aboard families cruising the Caribbean. Crystal clear waters and cooling northeast trade winds give the pristine conditions for spectacular racing just off the coast of St. Maarten. This event is your bucket list must-do! Come and enjoy life in the Caribbean; come for some Serious Fun from March 5-8, 2026!

For complete information on the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, including results, photos, videos, party and band information, and much, much more, visit: www.heinekenregatta.com.