SailGP: SailGP season opener in Perth sells out ahead of debut weekend

The Perth event will kick off the 2026 Season, with two days of racing this weekend in Fremantle on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January.

Western Australians will be the first fans to witness the flying F50 catamarans in 2026, the first to see the expanded fleet of 13 teams, to see SailGP hit the Indian Ocean for the first time and the first to experience a full SailGP Grandstand Stadium atmosphere ever in Australia.

The racing action only forms part of the festivities, with all ticket-holders invited to the free Après Sail event on Bathers Beach at the conclusion of racing on both Saturday and Sunday – with Australian award-winning dance music duo Sneaky Sound System set to headline the Sunday session.

The Rolex SailGP Championship is not only fast on the water, but is one of the fastest growing sports leagues in the world today, with crowds filling grandstands at major destinations globally.

Perth kicks off a season schedule of 13 global events, culminating with the winner-takes-all 2026 Season Grand Final in Abu Dhabi in November.

The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team are the reigning champions, having defeated three-time winners the BONDS Flying Roos and New Zealand’s Black Foils in the 2025 Season Grand Final.

SailGP CEO and co-founder Sir Russell Coutts has been impressed by the league’s reception in Western Australia.

“The support for SailGP has been phenomenal in Perth – shortly after we went on sale with tickets, it was clear we were likely to sell out,” he said. “We have had nothing but great enthusiasm from everyone that our local team has engaged, the businesses and people of Western Australia – they have all collaborated to make the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG a success. We are excited to be able to bring this unique racing event to Fremantle, with Australia’s first full SailGP Grandstand Stadium experience for what promises to be thrilling racing conditions.

“Thank you to the Western Australian government, to Tourism Western Australia and to our event partners Oracle and KPMG for making this weekend’s event a reality – the first stage in the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship.”

Dr Tony Buti, Acting Western Australia Tourism Minister, said it’s going to be a spectacular weekend of action in Fremantle.

“When SailGP sets sail off Bathers Beach this weekend, our amazing State will be showcased right across the world to a brand new audience,” he said. “The sell-out Perth Sail Grand Prix is a clear sign that Western Australia is a world-class host of major international sporting events and it firmly puts our State on the global stage. With thousands of fans travelling to Fremantle for the weekend’s festivities SailGP will deliver a significant boost to our economic diversification strategy, supporting local tourism operators, businesses and jobs.

“SailGP has been embraced by everyone, ever since we announced the prestigious event would be sailing into Fremantle, and I’m incredibly excited for all the fans to enjoy the action this weekend.”

Australian fans can catch all the action this weekend from 1pm AWST / 4pm AEDT (17-18 January), live on Fox Sports, Kayo and SBS, as well as Kayo On Demand.

For fans tuning in from around the world, click HERE to find out how to follow the racing.

Text and images courtesy of SailGP.com.