SailGP shifts Spanish event to Valencia

The SailGP league expanded to 13 events for 2026, with the schedule now finalized for the Season 6. After Geneva replaced Saint-Tropez as the 11th stop of the season, the location for the Spanish event has been shifted to Valencia after the city committed to a three-year host venue deal.

The inaugural Spain Sail Grand Prix | Valencia will take place on September 5-6, 2026.

“With its sporting heritage and world-class racing conditions, Valencia will become a natural home for SailGP as we continue to grow in Spain,” reports SailGP CEO, Sir Russell Coutts.

“Securing a multi-year commitment is key to delivering a world-class experience for our fans. Following Spain’s Season 4 championship title, it is clear that this nation’s passionate and truly global fanbase is a natural fit for the growth of our league, teams and partners.”

From its 15th-century port to its world-class marina, Valencia is a city steeped in maritime history. Having hosted iconic sporting events such as the America’s Cup, the league shifts to the Mediterranean venue after four years on the Atlantic at Andalucía-Cádiz.

SailGP information – Auckland details – How to watch

Season 6 – 2026 Schedule:
• Jan 17-18 – Perth, Australia
• Feb 14-15 – Auckland, New Zealand
• Feb 28-March 1 – Sydney, Australia
• Apr 11-12  – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• May 9-10 – Hamilton, Bermuda
• May 30-31 – New York, USA
• June 20-21 – Halifax, Canada
• July 25-26- Portsmouth, GBR
• August 22-23 – Sassnitz, Germany
• Sept 5-6 – Valencia, Spain
• Nov 21-22 – Dubai, UAE
• Nov 28-29 – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Note: The 11th event was moved to Geneva from Saint-Tropez, France.

Season 6 format:
• Thirteen teams compete in identical F50 catamarans.
• Each event is two days.
• All teams compete in up to seven qualifying fleet races of approximately 15 minutes.
• The top three teams from qualifying advance to a final race for the event title.
• The season ends with the Grand Final event which includes the Championship Final Race for the top three teams in the season standing.
• All teams are privately owned except for New Zealand and Spain which are owned by the league.

Season 6 prize money:
A total of USD $12.8 million is up for grabs in 2026. The winner of each of the 13 events takes home $400,000, with $260,000 for second and $140,000 for third. The team with the most points at the end of the season wins $400,000, while the team that wins the Championship Final Race wins USD $2 million.

F50 Configuration:
All teams use same configuration based on weather forecast. There are four wingsail sizes (18m, 24m, 27.5m, and 29m), two T-foil daggerboards (high-speed and low-speed), and one set of rudders with high-speed and low-speed settings.

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.