SailGP will make its debut in Rome in 2027. The global sail racing championship will arrive in Italy’s capital city on September 11-12, 2027, in the first event of a three-year partnership with the City of Rome and the Lazio Region.
Unfolding over two action-packed days of racing, fans will experience the inaugural Italy Sail Grand Prix | Rome from a purpose-built Race Stadium at Porto Turistico di Roma.
SailGP CEO and co-founder Sir Russell Coutts and members of the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team joined institutional representatives including Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region, Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri, Fabrizio Ghera, Councilor for Territory Protection, State Property and Heritage of the Lazio Region, and Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion at a special event hosted at the Ara Pacis Museum, to announce and celebrate the agreement.
Sir Russell Coutts said: “When Larry Ellison and I founded SailGP, our ambition was to build a sports and entertainment property that extended far beyond the sailing audience. Our vision is to deliver thrilling competition, cutting-edge technology, and world-class hospitality in the most iconic cities all over the world.
“Rome, with its global significance, is the perfect stage to amplify that vision. Adding another premier destination to our calendar demonstrates the powerful proposition SailGP offers to host cities and partners globally.
“We are thrilled to announce a three-season commitment in Rome as we continue to build our fanbase and deepen our footprint across Italy. We would like to thank all our partners in Rome for making this agreement happen, including the City of Rome, the Region of Lazio, the Municipality of Fiumicino, the Porto Turistico di Roma and of course, the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team.”
Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region, commented: “The arrival of SailGP in Rome represents a milestone of extraordinary international value for Lazio. Hosting one of the most innovative and spectacular sporting competitions in the world strengthens our Region’s role as a leading destination for major events, capable of combining sport, tourism, territorial enhancement and economic development.
“The sea is both a defining and strategic asset for Lazio, and seeing Rome’s waters transformed into the stage for a global event like SailGP will be a source of pride for our entire community. This three-year partnership confirms the Region’s commitment to investing in events that create opportunities, attract visitors from around the world, and promote a modern, dynamic and international image of our territory.”
Red Bull Italy SailGP Team athletes Jana Germani (strategist) and Enrico Voltolini (grinder), joined CEO Jimmy Spithill and owners Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo and Assia Grazioli-Venier at the Piazza di Campidoglio. They, alongside Coutts, were hosted by the Mayor of Rome and marked the launch of a new home event in front of the city’s world-famous Colosseum.
Jimmy Spithill said: “I think if you’re looking for the perfect place to host our first home event, it doesn’t get much better than SailGP Rome. It’s a city with incredible history, from the Colosseum to so many other iconic landmarks, and it’s a truly special place to visit. To be able to sail there makes it even more exciting.
“For our first home event, we’ll be racing off the coast of Rome, and I think people will be blown away by the number of fans who come out to support the team. It’s an awesome venue, an amazing city, and I can’t wait to see everyone there.”
The Rolex SailGP Championship announced its wider 2027 Season global calendar last week, with Hong Kong among the new additions to its seventh season, alongside other iconic locations including New York, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco and Dubai
SailGP’s return to Italy will mark the third time the global racing championship has taken flight on Italian waters – having staged two events previously in Taranto in 2021 and 2023.
Thousands of fans are expected across the race weekend where they will enjoy a mix of high-octane racing along with world class food, drink and entertainment.
Tickets for 2027 Season events are on sale soon. Fans are encouraged to sign up to SailGP+ for exclusive pre-sale access and priority ticket opportunities – at SailGP.com/2027. Select dates and venues remain provisional at this time.
