SailGP: Emirates Secures Five-Year Title Partnership
by SailGP 14 Nov 02:13 PST
The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team with the new wing of their F50 catamaran in Sydney, Australia © Bob Martin/SailGP
Emirates, the largest international airline globally, proudly announces a five-year global sponsorship with SailGP, becoming the exclusive Global Airline Partner of the annual sailing championship for the first time in the league’s history.
Emirates will maintain its role as Title Partner for the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, scheduled for Mina Rashid on November 23-24, 2024, ensuring the Dubai event remains an iconic occasion within the SailGP calendar, enhancing attendance and promoting Dubai as a prime destination for racing enthusiasts. Additionally, Emirates will be the Title Partner for the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team’s new home event in Portsmouth. The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth will signify SailGP’s eagerly awaited return to the UK, delivering premier racing back to British waters on July 19-20, 2025.
SailGP is recognized as one of the fastest-growing sports and entertainment properties worldwide, featuring 12 national teams confirmed for the 2025 season. The league’s annual competition scales across five continents with at least 13 events scheduled for the 2025 season.
With significant growth in fan engagement, global broadcasts, digital outreach, and ticket sales for its events, SailGP also benefits from strong synergy with major destinations within the Emirates network.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, stated: “Our broadened partnership with SailGP is founded on a mutual dedication to expanding the sport of sailing to a wider international audience both on and off the water. SailGP is establishing itself as a trailblazer in sports and aims to connect with a new generation of loyal fans through impactful experiences. Emirates and SailGP share a vision and brand promise to ‘sport better’ and ‘fly better,’ propelled by our commitment to excellence and innovation. We are also proud to be the Title Partner for events in Dubai and Portsmouth, reinvigorating the competition in our home city and reintroducing sailing to the UK in 2025 as a permanent feature on SailGP’s dynamic global schedule. We are excited to witness these athletes showcase their skills, passion, and technique at the highest levels in the upcoming seasons.”
Sir Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP, remarked: “We are thrilled to welcome Emirates as SailGP’s Official Airline Partner, reinforcing a long-standing relationship with this world-class airline as we embark on our most thrilling season yet. Emirates is associated with some of the most beloved sports clubs, tournaments, and events globally, and we are incredibly proud to join the Emirates family. Emirates will play a crucial role in assisting SailGP in reaching new audiences through our shared passion for sporting excellence and innovation.”
As a Global Partner and Airline Partner of SailGP, Emirates will enhance its brand presence across SailGP’s Emmy Award-winning LiveLine broadcast production, with features such as “Emirates Finish” and “Emirates Fly Time” set to make their televised debuts during the upcoming season-opening event in Dubai.
Emirates will continue its legacy in sports officiating by becoming SailGP’s official Umpire partner, collaborating closely with the league to elevate the profile of its officials—operating remotely from SailGP’s broadcast studio in London—and further clarifying the sport for fans across over 212 broadcast territories. Moreover, Emirates will enable racing enthusiasts to watch SailGP events on all flights through the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice.
The airline will feature brand placements throughout the SailGP Race Stadium and during trophy presentations, in addition to its logo displayed on all of SailGP’s advanced F50 catamarans competing in the Title Events in Dubai and Portsmouth.
Additional benefits consist of marketing rights, digital and social media rights, and premier hospitality experiences at SailGP’s elite hospitality venue, the Adrenaline Lounge. Emirates and SailGP will also collaborate to implement community initiatives aligned with SailGP’s local impact strategy. More details will follow soon.
Emirates remains a proud sponsor of the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, one of the league’s most accomplished sailing teams, and will continue to support the team for the next three racing seasons. Emirates’ signature “Fly Better” logo is prominently displayed on all Emirates GBR F50 boats, as well as on the team’s attire, sailing gear, and equipment.
The SailGP 2025 Season launches on November 23-24, 2024, over two exciting days on the pristine waters of Mina Rashid. The Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by P&O Marinas, is anticipated to be a flagship event on the regional sporting calendar — marking the third visit of SailGP to the city and the second edition featuring Emirates as Title Partner.
