Athlete transfer protocol for SailGP

SailGP has taken a major step in the professional evolution of the global racing championship, unveiling its first Athlete Transfer framework ahead of the 2026 Season. Designed to bring new clarity, structure and long-term stability to athlete movement, the system introduces formal registration, transfer and loan processes across the league – marking a milestone moment for the sport.

Driven by increasingly fierce competition among teams to secure the world’s best talent, the framework aims to enhance fairness, strengthen operational consistency and support athlete development. For the first time, SailGP athletes will benefit from long-term contracts, aligning the league more closely with other elite international sports.

Under the new structure, only registered athletes will be eligible to compete, with roster changes permitted solely within set windows of the season. Permanent transfers will require agreement from both teams and the athlete, while temporary loans will follow the same process, with limits placed on how often teams can loan in or loan out athletes.

Emergency provisions will allow medical or compassionate replacements during event windows, but only with Race Management approval. All transfers and loans must include a disclosed fee agreed between teams, ensuring transparency throughout the process.

Endorsed by all teams, the policy gives clarity to how athletes enter and move within the Rolex SailGP Championship. The system favors flexibility and fairness over rigid rules, diverging from the more transactional frameworks seen in leagues such as the Premier League or NBA, and signaling SailGP’s intent to modernize without sacrificing the collaborative spirit of the sport.

“We’re excited to put in play the new system, which mirrors the professionalism seen in other world-class sports leagues, creating excitement and intrigue for fans, plus commercial competition,” said Andrew Thompson, Managing Director of SailGP.

“Multimillion-dollar trades or buyouts could be a distinct possibility in future SailGP seasons. The framework will give teams greater strategic flexibility, while creating clear and fair pathways for athletes to develop their career. The value in athlete contracts is a significant driver in attracting and retaining top talent. Formalizing this process will transport the sport of sailing for years to come.”

The athlete registration window for the 2026 Season closes seven days before the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix on January 17-18, 2026 – and the first wave of transfers is already taking shape. Among the headline moves, SailGP veteran Nathan Outteridge has been confirmed as the new driver of Artemis SailGP Team. He is joined by grinder Julius Hallstrom, who makes the switch from ROCKWOOL Denmark.

And this is only the beginning. With more high-profile signings and transfers expected in the coming weeks, fans can look forward to a dynamic reshaping of the competitive landscape as teams gear up for a landmark season.

2025
January 18-19 – Auckland, New Zealand
February 8-9 – Sydney, Australia
March 15-16 – Los Angeles, USA
March 22-23 – San Francisco, USA
May 3-4 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
June 7-8 – New York City, USA
July 19-20 – Portsmouth, Great Britain
August 16-17 – Sassnitz, Germany
September 6-7 – Taranto, Italy
September 12-13 – Saint-Tropez, France
September 20-21 – Geneva, Switzerland
October 4-5 – Andalucía – Cádiz, Spain
November 7-8 – Middle East
November 29-30 – Grand Final – Abu Dhabi, UAE
* The season began with 14 events but Tranto was replaced with Saint-Tropez, while Rio and Middle East were cancelled.

Format for Season 5:
• Teams compete in identical F50 catamarans.
• Each event runs across two days.
• Five qualifying fleet races of approximately 15 minutes may be scheduled for each regatta.
• The top three teams from qualifying advance to a final race to be crowned event champion. The season ends with the Grand Final, which includes the Championship Final Race for the top three teams in the season standing. The top team on points ahead of the three-boat Championship Final will get a monetary award.
• The league still owns the New Zealand and Spain teams and are looking at how they can bring new investment into them.

Prize money:
Over the course of the 2025 Season, a total of $12M USD is up for grabs – the largest prize purse in the sport of sailing. $9.6M has been doled out so far, with $2M up for grabs to the Grand Final winner, and $800,000 available to the top-three placed teams in the Abu Dhabi event final. So far this season, Emirates GBR top the prize money leaderboard with $2M in the bank, followed by the Black Foils with $1.76M. The BONDS Flying Roos and Los Gallos have each secured $1.2M.

For competition documents, click here.

Established in 2018, SailGP seeks to be an annual, global sports league featuring fan-centric inshore racing among national teams in some of the iconic harbors around the globe.

Source: SailGP