SailGP has officially finalized the schedule for the concluding two events of its 2026 season, marking a return to the UAE this November. The championship, which stands as the largest in the organization’s history, features 13 international teams piloting identical F50 catamarans at speeds exceeding 100km/h just meters from the shoreline.
The penultimate round, titled the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by DP World, is set to take place on November 21-22. Following this, the season will culminate in a $2 million winner-takes-all showdown: the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2026 Season Grand Final presented by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. This final event is scheduled for November 28-29 and will be held for the first time at the iconic Emirates Palace.
The competition remains intense as the fleet approaches the final three events. Australia’s Bonds Flying Roos currently hold a 17-point lead over Spain’s Los Gallos. Meanwhile, the battle for the third and final spot in the Abu Dhabi Grand Final is extremely tight, with only five points separating the US SailGP Team, Artemis, and Emirates GBR.
Reflecting on the upcoming finale, SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts expressed enthusiasm for the competitive nature of this year’s circuit, noting that the organization is pleased to finalize ticketed experiences for the concluding races. He added that the team is elevating the event by incorporating world-class fan experiences and utilizing the historic Emirates Palace as a venue for the first time.
Ahmad Yousef Al Hassan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, emphasized the company’s pride in supporting the event, citing deep roots in the maritime industry and a commitment to showcasing the UAE as a global hub for sport and trade. Similarly, Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, stated that hosting the Grand Final at Emirates Palace highlights the capital’s growing stature as a premier destination for major international sporting events.
Saaed Hareb of the Dubai Sports Council highlighted the deep cultural connection between the city and maritime heritage. He remarked, “Dubai has close ties with water sports, especially sailing which is our rich heritage and so much in our genes from time immemorial.” He further noted that the city is honored to host sailing legends once again, adding, “Given this close connection between Dubai and sailing, there is absolutely no doubt that this unique championship will be truly remarkable in all aspects.”
This return to the UAE follows a successful previous season, which also began and ended in the region. During that campaign, packed stadiums in Dubai and Abu Dhabi witnessed Emirates GBR secure their first-ever Rolex SailGP Championship title and the sport’s top prize. The report also notes that australia’s Bonds Flying Roos lead the fleet, 17 points ahead of Spain’s Los Gallos in second, but behind them the title race is wide open. The report also notes that “We are delighted to welcome the championship back to Abu Dhabi and to host the decisive round of the season, bringing together elite teams and athletes from around the world at one. The report also notes that we look forward to delivering an, through this event. The report also notes that exceptional sporting and spectator experience that further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s presence and position on the global sporting calendar.”. The report also notes that our experiences in the past with sailing have been the best and it will be an absolute pleasure to have such legends as Russell Coutts and other sailing greats be our guests one more time.
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