Blending sport and entertainment

Under the direction of five-time winner Russell Coutts, the America’s Cup began its transformation into an entertainment product in 2011. When he lost control of the America’s Cup in 2017, he launched SailGP two years later, applying the lessons accrued in delivering a broadcast-friendly competition.

For sailing enthusiasts that have watched both, and are not a fan, that’s because this was never the target audience. “We have always said SailGP is for the racing fan — not your typical sailing fan,” said Coutts. “This is the very best of high-speed, high-tech racing, but on water.”

Not by coincidence, the fifth season begins and ends in the United Arab Emirates. “The Middle East is a strategically important market for SailGP,” noted Coutts, “alongside the world’s leading players in the sport and entertainment sector.

“Dubai is a spectacular venue for SailGP, providing close-to-shore stadium racing in front of the iconic city skyline, and the ultimate on-land party experience. We’ve teamed up with Nikki Beach once more this year to provide world-class hospitality for our guests, including performances by international music artists Tinie Tempah and Craig David taking to the stage each day after racing.”

Bring on the show!

Source: https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2024/11/13/coutts-sheds-light-on-importance-of-emirates-dubai-sail-grand-prix

Twelve Teams for Season 5
• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Great Britain
• Italy
• New Zealand*
• Spain*
• Switzerland
• United States
* League funded teams

SailGP information – YouTube – Facebook

Season 5 Schedule
2024
November 23-24 – Dubai, UAE

2025
January 18-19 – Auckland, New Zealand
February 8-9 – Sydney, Australia
March 15-16 – Los Angeles, USA
March 22-26 – San Francisco, USA
May 3-4 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
June 7-8 – New York City, USA
July 19-20 – Great Britain *
August 16-17 – Sassnitz, Germany
September 6-7 – Taranto, Italy
September 20-21 – Geneva, Switzerland
October 4-5 – Andalucía – Cádiz, Spain
November 7-8 – Middle East *
November 29-30 – Grand Final – Abu Dhabi, UAE
* Venue to be announced

Format for Season 5:
• Teams compete in identical F50 catamarans.
• Each event runs across two days.
• Five qualifying fleet races of approximately 15 minutes may be scheduled for each regatta.
• The top three teams from qualifying advance to a final race to be crowned event champion and earn the largest share of the prize purse (amount not confirmed; Season 4 had $400,000.00 USD prize purse with winning team earning $200k at each event).
• The season ends with the Grand Final, which includes the Championship Final Race for the top three teams in the season standing with the winner claiming a monetary award (amount not confirmed; Season 4 had $2 million USD prize).
• The top team on points ahead of the three-boat Championship Final will get a monetary award (amount not confirmed; Season 4 had a $350,000.00 prize).

For competition documents, click here.

Established in 2018, SailGP seeks to be an annual, global sports league featuring fan-centric inshore racing among national teams in some of the iconic harbors around the globe.