SailGP Sydney

Sydney, home of SailGP since day one

February 2019: six flying catamarans launched for the first time in Sydney Harbour. SailGP was born. Seven years later, the city is preparing to host its seventh consecutive edition — an absolute longevity record for a host city in the league's history.

The KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix 2026, scheduled for February 28 and March 1, embodies this mutual loyalty between the championship and the world's most photogenic bay. Russell Coutts, co-founder of the league, measures the distance traveled: from 5 events originally, the global calendar now features 13 for the 2025-2026 season. Sydney remains the epicenter.

Racing at dusk: the twilight racing gamble

The major innovation of this edition comes down to two words: twilight racing. The F50s will compete between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM (local time), offering a unique spectacle with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge bathed in the low-angled light of sunset.

The racing area tightens around Shark Island, a natural grandstand planted in the middle of the harbor. The virtual boundaries of the course force the catamarans to multiply close crossings, sometimes just meters from shore. For spectators gathered on the island or aboard their own boats, the immersion is total.

Format: five races, one final, zero downtime

SailGP relies on a dense format, tailored for television and adrenaline.

Fleet races

Five qualifying races pit the 12 national teams against each other. The scoring is clear:

• 10 points for the winner, 9 for second, and so on
• 11th and 12th place leave empty-handed

The Final

Only the top three teams from the provisional standings advance to the decisive race. The winner of this final takes the event — regardless of points accumulated before.

In the season's overall standings (Rolex SailGP Championship), the final winner pockets 10 points, second place 9, third 8. The others receive points according to their final ranking. Each team's objective: finish the season in the Top 3 to secure a ticket to the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi in November 2026 and its $2 million prize purse.

The F50: 100 km/h above the water

The F50 catamarans remain the centerpiece of the spectacle. One-design, these flying machines use hydrofoils to lift off the surface and flirt with 100 km/h (approximately 54 knots), propelled by a modular rigid wing 24 meters high.

Each boat captures up to 1,200 data points in real time. Teams analyze performance to the millisecond. Umpires, based in London, deliver instant penalties remotely. Sailing, Formula 1 style.

Twelve nations, spectacular transfers

The 2026 season reshuffled the deck with a wave of transfers worthy of a football transfer window.

• Australia — Tom Slingsby: three-time champions, the Bonds Flying Roos recruited Iain Jensen as wing trimmer to replace Chris Draper
• Emirates GBR — Dylan Fletcher: winners of the opening in Perth, they reformed the Olympic gold duo with the return of Stu Bithell (ex-Germany)
• Artemis (Sweden) — Nathan Outteridge: new team, but a roster of veterans — Chris Draper (ex-Australia) and Julius Hallström (ex-Rockwool)
• Red Bull Italy — Phil Robertson: the New Zealander with aggressive driving replaces Ruggero Tita after a notable 2025 final
• Mubadala Brazil — Martine Grael: first female driver in the championship, double Olympic champion, supported by Rasmus Kostner (ex-Denmark) on flight control
• Black Foils (NZ) — Peter Burling: eternal rivals of the Australians, still in the title hunt

France (Quentin Delapierre), Spain (Diego Botín), and the United States (Taylor Canfield) round out a field where any race can tip the balance.

Find all competing teams and compare boats on spencer.club.

Sydney, pivotal stop of Season 6

Third round on the calendar after Perth (January) and Auckland (mid-February), Sydney marks the last Oceanic appointment before the circuit shifts to South America — Rio de Janeiro in April.

For Tom Slingsby, the equation is simple: after the British victory in Perth, a home defeat would be a warning signal. The pressure from the Australian crowd, typically favorable wind conditions in late austral summer, and the new twilight format make this weekend a potential turning point in the championship hierarchy.

The event benefits from support by Destination NSW (New South Wales government), confirming its tourism and economic weight for the region.

Experience the racing from the water or the stands

The organization offers several experience levels:

• Waterfront Premium & Platinum: exclusive zones on Shark Island, stunning views of the course
• Bring Your Own Boat (BYOB): boaters position their vessels at the perimeter's edge, creating a floating arena
• Team Base Tours: technical base visits to get up close with the F50s
• Tickets starting at 90 AUD, with premium packages for businesses

Total immersion: 360° onboard cameras

Russell Coutts announced the integration of 360-degree view cameras on the F50s, coupled with live team communications. Via the app or partner broadcasters, spectators will be able to "climb aboard" virtually, pivot the view in any direction during the race. This technology could be deployed as early as the Sydney event — a world first in professional sailing broadcasting.

Follow news of this race and the complete season calendar on spencer.club.