Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2020 Tubes 728x90 TOP

SailGP and Mubadala bring world's most exciting racing on water to UAE's capital for the first time

by SailGP 13 Sep 08:48 PDT 13-14 January 2024
First ever Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix Presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council © SailGP

Abu Dhabi will host the world's most exciting racing on water as it gears up for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix.

Tickets are now on sale to witness the sport's best athletes representing national teams from around the globe unleash their prowess on the waters of Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi's historic port - on January 13-14, 2024. The event is presented in partnership with SailGP's Global Series Partner Mubadala Investment Group and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

With an exhilarating Season 4 schedule already under way, SailGP is ready to make history by bringing the global racing championship - and one of the world's fastest growing sports leagues - to the UAE capital. Fans will get to witness ten teams going head-to-head on the waterfront of Abu Dhabi's bustling port.

The city of Abu Dhabi will be the latest addition to the growing, purpose-driven series, becoming the latest stop on the global league's calendar for Season 4 - which also includes iconic venues such as New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Saint-Tropez, and San Francisco.

Tickets are now on sale to witness this thrilling racing on water, with thousands expected to gather to watch the high-speed action. The event showcases world-class athletes as they compete in identical hydrofoiling F50 catamarans, capable of reaching speeds of nearly 100 km/h. National teams from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States will engage in a fierce two-day competition, racing close to the shore, all vying for the ultimate victory.

"I am honored to announce that a new championship has joined the calendar of international events organized and hosted by Abu Dhabi," HE Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sport Council, said.

"This is a testament to the capital's infrastructure and huge potential. As SailGP is one of the latest sports that is growing rapidly, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council is keen to support the championship. We also have a strategic and permanent partnership with Mubadala in hosting and organizing tournaments."

Homaid Al Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Corporate & Human Capital Officer, Mubadala, said: "We're excited to bring SailGP to Abu Dhabi, building on our strong maritime heritage, and showcasing our role as a responsible investor. Driving positive change has been our core mandate since our inception and our partnership with SailGP, a like-minded trailblazing organization, reinforces this commitment."

Mubadala Investment Company, as SailGP's event Title Partner and Global Series Partner of the Inspire Program, will be supporting SailGP's efforts to champion STEM education and sport across all levels, furthering their commitment to inclusivity. Across its three pathways - Careers, Learning, and Racing - the Inspire initiative has engaged more than 15,483 young people worldwide, smashing its target of reaching 10,000 young people by 2025 two seasons early. With Mubadala's support, SailGP Inspire has now set its sights even higher, with an ambitious goal of engaging 25,000 young people by the end of 2025.

SailGP CEO Russell Coutts said: "This is another great moment for our global championship as we continue our rapid expansion and I am delighted that we are adding another new capital city to our event roster for Season 4. Of course, this wouldn't be possible without our partners and in particular Mubadala Investment Company - who has increased its commitment to SailGP over the next three seasons - along with the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Together we will work to promote climate-positive solutions and foster transformative change within the region - through initiatives such as Inspire - and look at ways that we can make an impact long into the future."

Mina Zayed provides a spectacular viewpoint for fans to immerse themselves in the adrenaline-filled action as the high-speed foiling F50 catamarans race right in front of their eyes at Dhow Harbour. Fans will witness the ten national teams vying for points over two days across five races before a final showdown featuring the top-three teams to decide the event winner.

A number of ticket categories are available such as premier grandstand seats, which include complimentary drinks, snacks and upgraded grandstand seating, or for those keen to get to the heart of the action team base tours are available to take fans on an exclusive tour behind the scenes. Those with their own boats, can enjoy on-water viewing right on the racecourse perimeter.

Fans should head to SailGP.com/AbuDhabi to get more details and purchase tickets.

Ticket categories:

Waterfront Grandstand
Watch the high-speed action on the water from less than 50 meters away from the racecourse. Waterfront Grandstand is situated in an exclusive part of the official spectator area, with big screens and accompanying live race commentary. Guests will have access to the Race Stadium which contains a food and beverage zone, fan activations, and merchandise stands.

Premier Waterfront Grandstand
For more exclusive access, the Premier Waterfront Grandstand environment is undoubtedly the perfect place to be for any racing enthusiast - while on land! Premier guests will enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, upgraded grandstand seating, large screens and exciting live commentary - taking you through every heart-pounding moment of each race. Live music will commence after racing.

Team Base Tours
Get the chance to go behind the scenes at SailGP. Through a Team Base Tour, enjoy an exclusive tour of the 'pit lane garages' where athletes and shore teams prepare the high-tech F50 race boats. The tour offers a rare chance to see SailGP's elite athletes and the cutting-edge, wing-sailed boats up close, as the teams prepare for battle at Mina Zayed.

Bring Your Own Boat
Finally, watch the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, from your own boat, by getting the SailGP VIP flag to get the best vantage spot right on the racecourse perimeter, in the heart of the action. Enjoy exclusive access on both days of racing and access to the live race commentary via VHF. Boats without a flag will be held at least 200m behind the flag-bearing boats.

Related Articles

Racing on the Edge latest video
Biggest shake-up in SailGP history explored A look into the future of the US team, old and new rivalries boil over and the question of who's driving the 'Flying Roo' in Dubai answered Posted on 30 Nov
Jimmy Spithill to drive for Aussie Team in Dubai
Tom Slingsby will miss the SailGP event to be at the birth of his first child Two-time America's Cup winner and former United States SailGP Team driver and CEO, Jimmy Spithill, will replace Tom Slingsby in the Australia SailGP Team at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas on December 9-10. Posted on 30 Nov
New purchasers for United States SailGP Team
Diverse group of investors representing sport, technology, entertainment and media SailGP's United States team has been purchased by technology investor and founding Uber engineer Ryan McKillen, Margaret McKillen, and two-time world champion sailor Mike Buckley. They are joined by a diverse group of investors. Posted on 29 Nov
Spithill confirms departure from US team
Skipper Jimmy Spithill leaves USA SailGP Team for new Italian gig In a SailGP report, Jimmy Spithill has announced his immediate departure from the United States SailGP Team, indicating the sale of the team. The US Team skipper has already left and will not sail in the next event in Abu Dhabi in 11 days time. Posted on 28 Nov
SailGP highlights commitment to climate action
With first ever Race For The Future takeover in Dubai SailGP, a global leader in purpose driven and sustainable sport, will highlight its ongoing commitment and passion to climate action with the first of many Race For The Future takeovers at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas. Posted on 25 Nov
SailGP: Auckland event cancelled
'SailGP has made the decision to not stage the event in Auckland in 2024' - Auckland Unlimited Auckland Council's Event arm Tataki Auckland Unlimited, has advised that SailGP has made the decision to not stage the event in Auckland in March 2024. Auckland business has reacted to the cancellation, and its impact on the City. Posted on 22 Nov
Relive all the action from Cádiz
The Americans executed a light-wind masterclass in the Final Despite not winning a single fleet race and picking up a pre-start penalty in the Final, the Americans executed a light-wind masterclass, stealing the lead from the Danish and crossing the line with a 600m+ margin of victory. Posted on 18 Oct
United States win Spain Sail Grand Prix
Overcoming adversity to take remarkable first win of Season 4 Jimmy Spithill and the United States claimed an emotional and remarkable first win of SailGP Season 4 at the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Cádiz, Andalucía. Posted on 15 Oct
Spain & France claim wins in Cádiz
But race 3 victory puts Australia on top at Spain Sail Grand Prix A dramatic first day of action at the Spain Sail Grand Prix produced three different winners as host Spain, France and championship leader Australia took victories, with the latter's dominance in the third race putting it in pole position. Posted on 14 Oct
Action and intrigue at every turn
As Cádiz readies for historic SailGP return New Zealand welcomed back; Emirates GBR aim for three-peat; and Women's Pathway celebrated at championship's first-ever 100 percent clean energy on-water event. Posted on 13 Oct
Rooster 2023 - FOOTERFestival of Sails 2024 FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER