SailGP officially confirms Auckland as a stop in its expanded 2026 Season calendar
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland will take place on February 14-15, marking the fleet’s highly anticipated return to Aotearoa and continuing New Zealand’s role in the global championship.
The announcement, made today as part of SailGP’s wider season reveal, outlines an 11 month racing calendar packed with fan-favourite locations, new host cities, and an updated regional structure designed to improve sustainability and operational efficiency.
The 2026 Season kicks off in Perth, Australia on January 17-18, before heading straight to Auckland in mid-February, and culminating its Asia-Pacific tour with the KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix from February 28 to March 1. The region’s three events are being backed by KPMG Australia, which has expanded its commitment to the championship. The firm will serve as Presenting Partner of the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix, Title Partner of the KPMG Sydney event, and Official Event Partner in Auckland.
SailGP’s previous Auckland event drew large crowds and international attention, with Kiwi sailing stars like Peter Burling and Blair Tuke leading the home team on familiar waters.
From New Zealand, the SailGP fleet will head to South America for a historic debut in Brazil with the Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix on April 11-12. The tour then continues through North America, stopping in Bermuda (May 9-10), New York City (May 30–31), and Halifax, Canada (June 20-21).
Europe’s turn comes mid-year with Portsmouth, UK (July – date TBC), Saint-Tropez, France (September 12-13), and an additional location yet to be confirmed. As in past seasons, the championship will conclude in the Middle East with back-to-back November events: the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix (November 21-22) and the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix Grand Final (November 28-29).
SailGP CEO and New Zealand sailing legend Sir Russell Coutts described the upcoming season as the most ambitious yet. “Destinations like New York and Saint-Tropez have become iconic parts of the SailGP journey, and we’re thrilled to return to key cities like Auckland while pushing into new regions,” said Coutts. “With a refined regional format and a growing list of long-term host partnerships, this is our most expansive and competitive season to date.”
