SailGP will return to the UK in 2025 meaning a home race for Team GB CEO Sir Ben Ainslie and Co – with sport unveiling a new sponsor synonymous with F1 ahead of its fifth season
The SailGP championship will be returning to the UK next year after agreeing a new long-term sponsorship deal for the event.
The official launch press conference was held in Dubai on Thursday, and it has been confirmed that a SailGP race will be coming to Portsmouth on July 19-20, 2025.
Twelve national teams will be heading to the south coast next summer, including Sir Ben Ainslie and his Great Britain crew for their home race.
Ainslie, 47, stepped down as the driver of the Emirates Great Britain SailGP team earlier this year, but is now the team’s CEO ahead of the fifth edition of the competition.
The 2025 championship will be sponsored by Swiss watchmaker Rolex after they agreed a long-term partnership with SailGP.
Rolex has been synonymous with Formula One, and is now heavily involved in sailing, much to the delight of SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts.
The SailGP championship gets underway this weekend and will be returning to the UK next summer
It means that Sir Ben Ainslie (left) and his Great Britain team will get a home race
SailGP have agreed a new long-term sponsorship deal with Swiss watchmaker Rolex
Upon agreeing the partnership, Coutts said: ‘The dawn of the Rolex SailGP Championship marks a new era in our sport – a testament to a shared pursuit of excellence, both on and off the water.
‘Rolex’s heritage of performance and precision perfectly complements SailGP’s mission to redefine the sport of sailing – an annual championship, providing thrilling racing in iconic global destinations. SailGP and Rolex are now one and the same, and we’re incredibly proud to share this journey with them.’
Arnaud Boetsch, Director of Communication & Image at Rolex, added: ‘SailGP is a trailblazer, representing precision, teamwork and innovative technology.
‘Since the series’ inception, Rolex has celebrated the journey of the sport and its athletes, marked by exceptional performance, incredible milestones and powerful emotions, both on and off the water.
‘We are thrilled to deepen our support as Title Partner and celebrate the success of SailGP, reinforcing our shared vision to push boundaries and inspire future generations.’
There will be 14 races in the 2025 championship, starting this weekend in Dubai. The championship will conclude next November with a race in Abu Dhabi.
