The countdown to the 2027 Rolex SailGP Championship has officially begun. Following the SailGP Valencia this past weekend where the U.S. SailGP Team emerged as champions, the globetrotting extravaganza that is SailGP will head to Geneva for the final stop of the European leg, and then on to the Middle East for events in Dubai and the Abu Dhabi Grand Final. All eyes will be on Hong Kong from November as the city prepares to host the 2027 season opener.
One of the world’s most recognisable harbours will become a racecourse for the first time as SailGP brings its unique combination of high-speed racing, elite athletes, cutting-edge technology and premium entertainment to Hong Kong.
Set against Hong Kong’s iconic skyline, the Hong Kong Sail Grand Prix will transform Victoria Harbour into a close-to-shore Race Stadium, with 13 national teams battling it out in identical F50 foiling catamarans capable of speeds exceeding 100 km/h. The event will give fans a front-row view of the action while showcasing Hong Kong to SailGP’s global audience.
SailGP Co-Founder and CEO Sir Russell Coutts said: “Hong Kong is a world-class destination for SailGP – and a venue we expect to deliver strong commercial interest and an unmatched fan experience. Victoria Harbour is built for the close-to-shore stadium racing SailGP is becoming known for around the globe.”
“China represents a strategic long-term growth opportunity for SailGP,” said Coutts. “Given their rapid rise to be amongst the top countries in Olympic sailing, the strong existing audience interest, and the potential for a future team, we couldn’t be more excited to bring SailGP to Asia’s World City next January, alongside our partners globally and in the region.”
SailGP’s growing global profile was on show in the most recent race in Valencia. BONDS Flying Roos co-owners Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds are part of a growing group of world-class sports and entertainment figures investing in SailGP and helping introduce the Championship to new audiences around the world. The duo took their Deadpool & Wolverine rivalry to the water, lining up on opposing F50s for a high-speed head-to-head race. Wearing custom Wolverine and Deadpool helmets, the pair experienced SailGP’s speed and intensity firsthand and each took a turn driving an F50.
BONDS Flying Roos co-owner Hugh Jackman said: “Watching this team is unbelievable, it’s so fast, it’s so exciting when you see how close these boats go.”
For fans in Hong Kong and across Greater China, SailGP offers a new kind of live sporting experience: short, intense races, national teams, world-class athletes and high-tech F50s racing just metres from the shoreline. Described as grand prix racing on water, SailGP combines sporting competition with technology, entertainment and an immersive event experience.
SailGP 101: Grand Prix Racing on Water
SailGP is the most exciting race on water. The Rolex SailGP Championship features national teams competing in identical high-tech, high-speed F50 foiling catamarans at iconic destinations around the world.
The F50 is a new class of boat with DNA from the catamarans used in the America’s Cup. Built from advanced composites and powered by an aerodynamic wing, the F50 uses hydrofoils to lift above the water, dramatically reducing drag and enabling extraordinary acceleration and speeds exceeding 100 km/h.
Every team races the same cutting-edge F50 platform and shares performance data, placing athlete skill, teamwork and split-second decision-making at the centre of the competition.
What makes SailGP different
SailGP takes racing out of the distance and brings it close to fans. Tight racecourses are positioned close to shore, creating fast, tactical competition that can be followed from the Race Stadium while the host city provides the backdrop.
Three things to know about SailGP:
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High-tech F50s: Identical 50-foot foiling catamarans combine advanced aerodynamics, hydrofoils, sensors and real-time data. When foiling, the hulls lift above the water as the F50 accelerates to speeds exceeding 100 km/h.
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Close-to-shore racing: SailGP events are designed around short, intense races on compact courses close to spectators, bringing fans closer to the athletes and action.
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Elite athletes, equal equipment: National teams race identical F50s, with shared data across the fleet. Performance comes down to the athletes, teamwork, tactics and execution.
Meet the athletes on board
The F50 is raced by a highly coordinated team of elite athletes, with specialist roles working together at high speed:
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The Driver: Steers the F50, makes tactical decisions and leads communication on board.
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The Wing Trimmer: Controls the wing to manage power and maximise performance.
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The Flight Controller: Controls the foils to manage the F50’s ride height and stability while foiling.
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The Grinders: Provide the power required to operate the F50’s hydraulic systems.
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The Strategist: Reads the racecourse, wind and rival teams to provide tactical input to the driver.
How the racing works
Each SailGP event features fleet racing across the weekend, with teams earning points based on their finishing positions. The highest-ranked teams then progress to an event Final, where the event winner is decided.
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Across the season, teams accumulate Championship points as they fight to qualify for the season-ending Rolex SailGP Championship Grand Final.
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At the Grand Final, the leading teams compete for the Championship title and a share of SailGP’s multi-million-dollar prize purse.
More details on the Hong Kong Sail Grand Prix – including ticketing, fan experiences and community initiatives – will be announced in the coming weeks.
Make sure you don’t miss your chance to be at the inaugural Hong Kong Sail Grand Prix; fans can register for presale access and pricing by signing up to SailGP+.
