MUBADALA ABU DHABI SAIL GRAND PRIX SEASON 2025 GRAND FINAL PRESENTED BY ABU DHABI SPORTS COUNCIL

*This information is live and updated regularly. Check back for updates as the event approaches.

MEDIA ASSETS //

SAILGP 101 //

  • SailGP is the most exciting racing on water; we are redefining our sport.
  • The Rolex SailGP Championship is an annual global championship in iconic cities around the world.
  • 12 national teams – representing the best athletes in the sport – battle it out in identical 50-foot foiling catamarans, racing faster than wind speeds at over 60 miles per hour.
  • SailGP is where sport meets spectacle with close-to-shore stadium racing and water’s edge excitement.

ABU DHABI EVENT OVERALL MESSAGING //
Official event name:
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand Final, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council

Marketing narrative:

  • The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand Final presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council arrives in the city this November – where the season’s fiercest rivalries collide in one final, all-or-nothing battle for glory.
  • Against the stunning backdrop of the Arabian Gulf, 12 F50s will unleash breathtaking speed, precision and drama as teams race for the coveted Rolex SailGP Championship title.
  • It’s where sport meets spectacle, as the world’s best athletes navigate high-stakes competition on the shimmering waters off the capital’s coastline.
  • More than just a race, it is a celebration of speed, power and spectacle. Spectators will experience the best view points, luxury hospitality, and Après-Sail entertainment presented by Mastercard featuring global music talent Olly Murs and Mark Wright, creating an unmissable weekend of high-performance sport and world-class entertainment.
  • For the teams, the stakes have never been higher. For the fans, the atmosphere has never been bigger. This is the Grand Final. This is Abu Dhabi. This is SailGP.

Comms narrative – sport:

  • The Grand Final is the culmination of SailGP’s 12-event 2025 Season. It kicks off with one last series of fleet races (five to seven in total) between all 12 national teams across Saturday 29 November and Sunday 30 November, which itself will produce an Abu Dhabi event winner.
  • Following the end of the last fleet race on Sunday November 30, the aggregate scores will determine the Abu Dhabi event winner and the overall championship standings.
  • The top three in the overall championship standings at this point will advance to the Grand Final race. Three can race, but only one can win – lifting the coveted Rolex SailGP Championship trophy and claiming the sport’s top prize of US $2 million.
  • Heading into the Grand Final, four teams remain in contention to win the Rolex SailGP Championship trophy – Emirates Great Britain, the Black Foils (NZ), the BONDS Flying Roos (AUS) and the defending champions Los Gallos (SPA).
  • With only nine points between the Brits in first and the Spanish in fourth, each and every fleet race will count in Abu Dhabi – before it all comes down to the winner-takes-all Grand Final.
  • With the 2026 Season starting seven weeks after Abu Dhabi and transfer talk swirling, the event is vitally important for all 12 teams as they aim to end the season on a high. The Germany SailGP Team, presented by Deutsche Bank, are one of the form teams having won their first ever SailGP event in Geneva and made their second successive final at the penultimate event of the season in Cadiz. They will be looking to disrupt the top four teams pursuit of the Grand Final.
  • The Black Foils – second in the overall championship standings, three points behind the Brits – would appear among the teams to beat in Abu Dhabi having won the past two times racing took place in the Middle East (Dubai season 5; Abu Dhabi and Dubai season 4).
  • The winners of the Grand Final – and Rolex SailGP Championships – will be presented in front watching fans, bringing team celebrations closer than ever to those in attendance.
ABU Grand Final Explainer

Comms narrative – fan experience:

  • As part of SailGP’s Après-Sail presented by Mastercard, globally recognized, platinum selling pop sensation Olly Murs will be the special headliner on Saturday 29 November.
  • Olly’s headline performance in Abu Dhabi will come eight days after the release of his eighth studio album ‘Knees Up’. Backed by a full band, Olly, who has sold over 2 million tour tickets and has 5.7 million monthly Spotify listeners, will perform hits including Troublemaker and Dance With Me Tonight.
  • Alongside Olly, Mark Wright – popular Heart presenter, TV personality and DJ – will close out on an unforgettable weekend of sport and entertainment on Sunday November 30.
  • Olly and Mark will also come together at the start of the event for a special broadcast of their UK Heart radio show – Saturday Breakfast with Mark Wright and Olly Murs – live from Abu Dhabi.
  • Olly and Mark become the latest additions to SailGP’s internationally-recognized artists rounding out the global racing championship’s Après-Sail experience for fans, which this year has been supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.
  • Last year’s Abu Dhabi debut featured a live performance from Take That, while international artists DJ Pete Tong, Tom Grennan and Loud Luxury have provided iconic shoreside entertainment in other destinations globally.
  • For those seeking the ultimate luxury entertainment and dining experience, official partner Mastercard will deliver an unparalleled waterfront experience for guests in the Priceless Lounge within the Waterfront Premium Lounge. Mastercard cardholders can also unlock exclusive Priceless Experiences at the event – offering unforgettable ways to get closer to the action.
  • Across the weekend, SailGP’s Race Stadium and Waterfront Grandstand will come alive with special effects, hype hosts, live music, roaming performers and F50 fly-bys just metres from shore.
    • For those seeking the ultimate luxury entertainment and dining experience, the Waterfront Premium Lounge will be catered by Nobu by the Beach.
  • Adding in the drama of 12 national teams going head-to-head at electrifying speeds of over 100 km/h in identical 50-foot foiling catamarans plus the Grand Final, Mina Zayed will transform into the ultimate festival of sport and culture for the prestigious event.

Comms narrative – purpose:

  • Abu Dhabi will have 100% clean energy on-shore, via the use of B100 fuel and battery energy storage systems.
  • SailGP are the first organisation to use Stage V Generators in the Middle East; these are generators that reduce emission pollutants, and are much more fuel efficient.
  • SailGP’s 2025 Season Impact League winner will be announced ahead of the Grand Final on Wednesday 26 November, after the results of the final focus area - Breaking Boundaries - have been confirmed by the stellar group of internationally renowned judges.
  • A global-first in sport, the Impact League tracks and rewards teams not just for their performance on the water, but also for their leadership and commitment to positive action across society.
  • Now in its fourth season, the Impact League uses globally recognised frameworks - behavioural science - to measure and celebrate each team’s contributions beyond racing.
  • For the final Ocean Impact Project of 2025, SailGP, Emirates and Aquaai – a cutting edge robotics company building fully autonomous, AI-driven drones, that are dramatically reducing the costs of ocean health and biodiversity monitoring – will unveil a pioneering collaboration designed to strengthen long-term marine conservation efforts.
  • Alongside Mubadala – Global Partner of SailGP Inspire – the Abu Dhabi Grand Final will have engaged with 5,000 young people through a variety of programmes:

    Waves of The Future: Over four weeks SailGP took over school assemblies and PE lessons across Abu Dhabi to introduce adrenaline-fuelled racing, Inspire Wingfoiling, and the fundamentals of wing control and balance.
    On Water Wing Foiling Clinics: A full week of immersive on-water wing foiling sessions for youth, led by Armstrong coaches and a special appearance from Mubadala Brazil driver Martine Grael.
    STEMCity: Over 1,500 young people gaining exclusive behind the scenes Tech Tours and diving into hands on bespoke STEM activities to discover the science behind what makes our F50s fly.

Comms narrative – broadcast:

  • Fans in the United Kingdom will be able watch both days of the Grand Final live on TNT Sports 2. Further highlights packages will be able across TNT Sports 2, 3 and 4 from December 2-7.

ABU DHABI-SPECIFIC SPOKESPERSON QUOTES //
SailGP CEO, Sir Russell Coutts, said: “It all comes down to the Grand Final. From Auckland to Sydney, San Francisco to New York, Portsmouth to Cádiz, the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi will crown our Season 2025 champion. After a spectacular debut event in 2024, SailGP is thrilled to be back in Abu Dhabi Only one team can emerge victorious and walk away with the US $2 million grand prize. The Australia BONDS Flying Roos, Emirates GBR and the New Zealand Black Foils are leading the way but can reigning champion Spanish team Los Gallos stage another compelling comeback? With the invaluable support of Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, we are anticipating the Grand Final to live up to its name.”

Mubadala Deputy Group CEO, Homaid Al Shimmari said: “We’re proud to once again be the title partner of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Grand Final. Last year’s unforgettable debut brought thousands of fans together along Abu Dhabi’s iconic waterfront and we’re excited to work together in delivering an even more impactful and inspiring event this year. At Mubadala, we are committed to creating impact. We see sport as a powerful platform that unites people and creates a legacy of inclusion and sustainability beyond competition.”

H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, stated: “We are delighted to once again welcome a world-class sporting event to Abu Dhabi’s diverse calendar of international competitions. Hosting the SailGP Grand Final is a testament to the capital’s global standing as a premier destination for elite sporting events and highlights the city’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and readiness. We at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council are proud to be hosting the climax of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports championships. We also deeply value our longstanding strategic partnership with Mubadala, whose support continues to elevate Abu Dhabi’s global sporting presence.”

SailGP Chief Marketing Officer, Leah Davis, said: “From the moment fans step into the Race Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the atmosphere will take over – the music, energy and spectacle, on and off the water. The Après-Sail presented by Mastercard celebration will come alive with world-class pop sensation Olly Murs creating a party that keeps the excitement going as the sun sets against the beautiful Abu Dhabi backdrop. Mark Wright will bring a joyous end to our 2025 Season and we’re extremely excited to have Olly and Mark present their hit Heart radio show live from the event.”

Olly Murs said: “I’m incredibly excited to perform in Abu Dhabi at SailGP’s Grand Final. Taking to the stage right after the world’s best athletes have raced for the championship will be so special. It’s also going to be such a laugh hosting Saturday Breakfast on Heart with Mark amongst it all. I can’t wait!”

Mark Wright said: “I am buzzing to be linking up with SailGP again. It was incredible to get a behind the scenes experience on-board the team’s F50 in the UK this summer – and I’ve told Olly what to expect. Now to be back, entertaining fans at the final event of the season in Abu Dhabi – and broadcasting live on Heart with Olly – it’s going to be epic.”

WEEKEND SCHEDULE //
*All times shown are local to the event location & are subject to change.

  • Race Day 1: Saturday, November 29 // Race stadium: 12:30 - 17:00 // Racing: 14:00 - 15:30 // Music Act: 15:30 - 16:15
  • Race Day 2: Sunday, November 30 // Race stadium: 12:30 - 17:00 // Racing: 14:00 - 15:30 // Music Act: 15:30 - 16:15

TICKETS //
Daily tickets (pre-tax):

  • Waterfront Grandstand: 270 AED (adult) // 135 AED (child) // 181.25 AED (family, per person) // 135 AED (Person of Determination + Companion, per person)
  • Waterfront Premium Lounge x Nobu by the Beach: 1,050 AED (adult) // 525 AED (child) // 768.75 AED (family, per person) // 525 AED (Person of Determination + Companion, per person)

2-day tickets (pre-tax):

  • Waterfront Grandstand: 515 AED (adult) // 240 AED (child) // 337.50 AED (family, per person) // 257.50 AED (Person of Determination + Companion, per person)
  • Waterfront Premium Lounge x Nobu by the Beach: 1,910 AED (adult) // 950 AED (child) // 1,385 AED (family, per person) // 955 AED (Person of Determination + Companion, per person)

Click HERE for event information and tickets.

STANDINGS //
It will have been eight weeks between the penultimate event of the 2025 season – the DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix I Andalucía-Cádiz – and the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi. Emirates GBR staged a stunning last-mark overtake on the Black Foils to take the win and move ahead of the Kiwis into pole position in the overall standings. The BONDS Flying Roos failed to make the three-boat final in Cádiz and dropped to third overall – but only five points split the top three. Los Gallos performed admirably at home – not making the final but keeping themselves in contention, just four points off Australia overall. Germany by Deutsche Bank – who claimed their first ever SailGP event victory in Geneva – made a second successive final in Spain to prove that those not able to win the Rolex SailGP Championship will still have an impact in Abu Dhabi. Similarly, Mubadala Brazil took their second fleet race win of their debut SailGP season in Cádiz and will revel in being the ‘home’ team in Abu Dhabi.

Season standings after Cadiz

RACING //

  • Abu Dhabi is a two-day event made up of six to eight total races that are 10-15 minutes in length. The first five to seven races include all 12 nationals teams – with the event winner determined by aggregate scores at the end of these fleet races. After this point the top three in the overall standings will race for the coveted SailGP Rolex championship trophy.
  • Depending on the weather and wind conditions, SailGP will endeavor to run FOUR races on a given day – four full fleet races on Saturday, and / or three full-fleet races on Sunday, followed in Abu Dhabi by the winner-takes-all Grand Final.
  • US $800K is available for the top-three teams in the fleet racing in Abu Dhabi – $400K for first, 240K for second, and 160K for third.
  • The team that leads the overall championship standings at the conclusion of fleet racing in Abu Dhabi receive US $400K.
  • The winners of that three-boat, winner-takes-all Grand Final will receive US $2M – the largest prize in the sport.
  • The overall prize pot for the 2025 Season is US $12 million.

ADDITIONAL // SAILGP GROWTH & PROOF POINTS //

  • Backed by some of the biggest partners in sports, SailGP is redefining sailing through a fan-first, commercially-minded, annual championship. SailGP has ‘entered the chat’ as a commercially viable top global sports league.
  • SailGP is experiencing record growth this season, including spectator and broadcast figures, new global partners, new team sales, and the expansion into new markets globally.

    Spectators: SailGP brings the action to the fans, close to shore. More than 25,000 ticketed fans attended our Auckland event at the beginning of the year. The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth at the end of July was the largest ticketed sailing event in the UK and our largest ticketed crowd in the Northern Hemisphere.
    Broadcast: The 2025 KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney (February) delivered our largest-ever dedicated global TV audience, reaching 21.1 million viewers worldwide. In the U.S., we reached a historic broadcast agreement with CBS, which is featuring 54 hours of SailGP on its networks this season. Last season, 1.78 million tuned into our Spain Sail Grand Prix on CBS – the largest linear TV audience in the U.S. for any race on water in 30 years, including Olympics and America’s Cup.
    Team Sales: SailGP continues to attract interest from a range of different investors and ownership groups, and is experiencing record demand for team sales.

    In the 2025 season, 10 of 12 teams on the startline are privately owned or operated.
    SailGP is experiencing record demand for teams, with valuations growing year over year. We are now selling teams in excess of U.S. $50 million.
    At the end of May, the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team was acquired by a consortium of accomplished investors and sports industry leaders, including Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway. The consortium is led by Muse Capital founding partner Assia Grazioli-Venier and luxury brand entrepreneur Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, with one of the world’s most decorated sailors and SailGP icons, Jimmy Spithill, as CEO and co-owner.
    At the beginning of June, the Australia SailGP Team unveiled a new identity as well as two new co-owners - Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds - who join Driver and CEO Tom Slingsby in leading the freshly rebranded BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team.