Today marks 100 days until the inaugural American Express Hong Kong Sail Grand Prix, bringing the Rolex SailGP Championship to Victoria Harbour on January 23–24, 2027, and placing Hong Kong’s iconic waterfront at the heart of SailGP’s continued growth across Asia.
The countdown follows this week’s announcement of American Express as Title Sponsor of the inaugural Hong Kong event, with eligible Cardmembers to receive priority booking access and exclusive savings on tickets.
Andy Thompson, Managing Director of SailGP, New Zealand Black Foils Co-CEO and Wing Trimmer, Blair Tuke, and Flight Controller, Leo Takahashi, joined a virtual press conference today to celebrate the 100-day countdown to SailGP’s debut in Hong Kong.
As the opening event of the 2027 Rolex SailGP Championship season, Hong Kong will not only welcome the world’s fastest racing on water, but will also play a central role in SailGP’s long-term vision to expand its presence across Asia, engage new audiences throughout the Greater Bay Area, and inspire the next generation of sailors, innovators and ocean advocates.
The American Express Hong Kong Sail Grand Prix represents a major milestone in SailGP’s continued expansion across Asia, and positions Hong Kong at the heart of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and entertainment properties. Hong Kong’s global connectivity, vibrant culture and iconic waterfront make it a compelling location for SailGP’s continued growth across Asia.
SailGP Managing Director Andy Thompson said Hong Kong was selected not only for the spectacular location, but also for its importance within the championship’s future growth plans.
“Hong Kong is one of the most iconic harbours in the world and certainly we want to stage our races in iconic locations. This will be the start of what we hope will be a long-term venture and we’re really looking forward to bringing the show to town. You can’t really have a global sports league without having Asia at the heart of that, and that’s certainly what our next five years represent.
“Hong Kong is definitely at the heart of Asia. It’s a great place for us to land, and it’s certainly a market that we want to make an impression in.”
Beyond the racing itself, the event is expected to deliver significant benefits for Hong Kong by attracting international visitors, generating economic activity and showcasing Victoria Harbour to a worldwide audience.
SailGP broadcasts into more than 200 markets globally and typically generates at least US$25 million in economic impact for host cities through event operations, team activity and visitor spending.
SailGP is working with the Hong Kong Sailing Federation and other stakeholders on a year-round youth engagement program combining on-water activities and STEM learning.
“Showcasing sailing on this iconic harbour around the world is one of our key priorities for this event. We will put in place multiple community projects to engage as many youth as possible,” said Thompson.
The prospect of bringing this innovative sports and entertainment property to Hong Kong has also excited the participating teams, among them the Black Foils from New Zealand. Black Foils Co-CEO Blair Tuke sees Hong Kong as a catalyst for the sport’s growth throughout the region.
“It’s a new market and it’s been a long time since we’ve had a race in the Asian region. It’s an area I know that SailGP and all the teams want to grow in. We hope that the SailGP product resonates with Chinese fans, and that Hong Kong will be a huge growth opportunity for all the teams.”
Black Foils Flight Controller Leo Takahashi, who represented Japan at the 2020 Olympic Games, says the arrival of SailGP in Hong Kong represents a major opportunity to connect with Asian fans.
“Asia has massive potential for SailGP because sports audiences here embrace super high technology and speed. We’re really excited to visit Hong Kong and, as the Black Foils, to grow the Asian market there.”
The waterfront at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal will be transformed into a purpose-built SailGP Race Stadium, bringing fans close to the high-speed racing against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.
“It’s not just a sailing race that you try and broadcast; it’s a sailing race built for spectators and for the fans,” said Tuke.
Thompson said the close-to-shore format would put spectators at the heart of the action.
“The fans will be right there on the shoreline at Kai Tak Terminal. We can get the boats super close to the shoreline, and the fans will be able to reach out and almost touch the boats.”
Takahashi expects the venue to deliver dramatic racing.
“With the racing being so close to the stands, fans can expect some tight pinch points where the boats get super close to the land and some really dramatic passes potentially, so I think it’s going to be really great.”
The American Express Hong Kong Sail Grand Prix is set to be an unmissable event, seamlessly blending extreme athletic competition, elite premium hospitality, and unmatched city views. Fans attending the inaugural event can expect a viewing experience unlike anything traditionally associated with sailing.
The waterfront at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal will be transformed into a purpose-built SailGP Race Stadium, placing spectators just metres from some of the fastest racing in world sport.
Thompson said the close-to-shore format is a defining part of the SailGP experience and that fans in Hong Kong are going to enjoy some of the best the sport can offer.
For athletes and fans alike, the iconic backdrop of Victoria Harbour promises to create one of the standout events of the 2027 season.
Tuke, a familiar visitor to the city, believes Hong Kong offers one of the most exciting combinations of sporting spectacle and destination appeal anywhere on the championship calendar:
“Hong Kong’s a place that’s close to my heart. The city’s amazing, just the culture of it and its vibrancy. It’s one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. To have SailGP coming to Hong Kong – with the city’s great sailing history and that amazing skyline, I think it’s a really unique and powerful combination.”
Tickets for the American Express Hong Kong Sail Grand Prix will go on sale to the general public at 10am HKT on October 27, 2026. Eligible American Express Cardmembers will receive priority booking access from 10am HKT on October 21 until 5pm HKT on October 22, followed by an exclusive SailGP+ member presale from 10am HKT on October 23 until 5pm HKT on October 26, or until allocations are exhausted.
Fans can join SailGP+ for free at sailgp.com/hongkong to lock in their priority access and pricing for the presale window on October 23-26.
The American Express Hong Kong Sail Grand Prix is proud to be an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolises intense, spectacular and signature events in the territory sports calendar.
