Portsmouth set to roar for SailGP
For the first time in three years, the Rolex SailGP Championship is coming back to British waters, and Portsmouth, one of the UK’s most iconic sailing cities, will host the much-anticipated 2025 event. From 19 to 20 July, fans can expect a weekend of dramatic match-ups, technical precision, and blistering speeds as ten national teams race their F50 foiling catamarans in front of the Spinnaker Tower.
This marks the first time Portsmouth has hosted SailGP, and it promises to be an event to remember.
“Portsmouth has a rich maritime history, and it’s a privilege to race there,” said Sir Ben Ainslie, CEO and helm of the Emirates GBR SailGP Team. “It’s not often we get to compete in front of a home crowd, so the opportunity is extremely special.”
With its complex tides, dual high waters, and famously fickle Solent breeze, Portsmouth offers a tactical and physical test few venues can match.
Home crowd, home pressure
The Emirates GBR SailGP Team comes into this regatta with something to prove. In 2022, they narrowly missed out on a finals spot in Plymouth. This time around, they’re looking to use home support to springboard their season.
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ainslie will lead a team that includes strategist Hannah Mills, herself a Rolex Testimonee and the most decorated female Olympic sailor in history.
“The Rolex SailGP Championship has completely changed the narrative around the sport,” Mills says. “It’s exciting to see what this event will do for sailing in the UK. They’re building the biggest grandstand we’ve ever had!”
Rivalries intensify as Spain targets a three-peat
Spain comes into Portsmouth riding high after back-to-back wins, looking to lock in a third straight victory. Their aggressive starts and clean foiling lines have made them the team to beat in the middle of the season.
Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team is also making headlines, with driver Martine Grael making history in New York as the first woman to win a SailGP fleet race. Grael, a Rolex Testimonee and Olympic gold medallist, is now chasing a podium finish in Portsmouth.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me to pave the way for other female sailors,” she said. “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, and there’s more to come.”
Racing into a historic week
The return of the Rolex SailGP Championship to the UK is part of a major moment for British sailing. Just six days after the final race in Portsmouth, Cowes will host the start of the 100th anniversary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race on 26 July, a rare back-to-back celebration of innovation, heritage, and performance.
Both events are supported by Rolex, a long-time partner in the sport and title sponsor of the SailGP championship since its debut in 2019.
The Swiss brand is now involved in 15 major regattas globally, including the Rolex Sydney Hobart, Rolex TP52 Worlds, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, and the Rolex Swan Cup. Their Testimonee list reads like a who’s who of high-performance sailing: Paul Cayard, Robert Scheidt, Sir Ben Ainslie, Tom Slingsby, Martine Grael, and more.
A showcase for sport and technology
SailGP’s identical F50 catamarans fly above the water at speeds nearing 100 km/h, powered by data-rich control systems and crew coordination measured in milliseconds. For Rolex, the championship represents a perfect alignment with their values of precision, performance, and perpetual innovation.
“We’ve never had a league with this level of continuity and growth,” Ainslie says. “The technology behind these boats is unmatched, and the calibre of the teams makes this the best racing in the world.”
What to expect
The racing will take place just off the coast of Southsea and Old Portsmouth, offering up-close viewing for fans onshore and at sea. Massive grandstands, interactive fan zones, and live commentary will turn the Portsmouth waterfront into a buzzing festival of speed and spectacle.
Whether you’re watching from the Spinnaker Tower or tuning in from afar, Rolex SailGP Portsmouth 2025 is set to be one of the most memorable stops of the season — and one that may well shake up the championship standings.
