The SailGP championship enters a decisive phase this weekend as 13 international teams race off Portsmouth in the opening event of the 2026 European Summer Series. Defending champions Emirates Great Britain will compete on home waters while championship leaders Australia look to extend their advantage.
The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix takes place on July 25-26 on the Solent, where up to 20,000 spectators are expected on Southsea Common.
Portsmouth is the eighth event of the 2026 SailGP season and the first of four European regattas before the winner-takes-all Grand Final in Abu Dhabi this November.
The fleet of identical F50 foiling catamarans will race close to shore at speeds exceeding 100km/h.
Australia's Bonds Flying Roos arrive with an 18-point championship lead despite finishing fourth at the last event in Halifax. Los Gallos are their nearest challengers, while defending Rolex SailGP champions Emirates Great Britain sit third overall and will aim to capitalise on home advantage.
The Portsmouth event is followed by SailGP stops in Sassnitz, Germany, Valencia, Spain, and Geneva, Switzerland. Those regattas are expected to play a major role in deciding which teams qualify for the season finale.
New Racing Format
With the SailGP fleet expanded to a record 13 teams, organisers have introduced a new group racing format to maintain competitive racing on compact courses.
Teams are divided into two groups before their points are combined to determine the overall standings.
Group A comprises Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, Denmark and Brazil.
Group B features Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, Germany, France and Great Britain.
Grael Returns for Brazil
Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team welcomes double Olympic champion Martine Grael back to the helm after Paul Goodison steered the team at the previous event in Halifax.
Grael, SailGP's first female driver, returns as Brazil seeks to improve from the foot of the championship standings.
European Series Begins
The second half of the SailGP season has previously proved decisive in the championship battle.
Emirates Great Britain mounted its title-winning charge during the closing stages of the 2025 campaign, while Australian skipper Tom Slingsby will be looking to protect his team's championship lead as the European series gets underway.
Racing starts at 4.30pm BST on both days. UK coverage will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.
