With a global audience of 20 million viewers, celebrities are lining up to get involved with SailGP. Boardroom breaks down the high-speed, high-stakes sport.
The next big sport that celebrities are backing isn’t on land, it’s on water.
Welcome to SailGP, the high-speed, high-tech sailing league that’s drawing comparisons to Formula 1 and racking up celebrity investors just as fast.
Founded in 2019, SailGP features national teams racing F50 catamarans that literally fly above the water using hydrofoil technology. Hydrofoils are underwater wings that lift the boat above the water’s surface, drastically reducing drag and allowing these sleek vessels to reach speeds nearing 60 mph.
SailGP has already established itself as a global player, but the league’s true power play lies in its media strategy. With multi-angle onboard cameras, AR-enhanced graphics, and a growing broadcast product, SailGP claims a dedicated global audience of 20 million viewers.
And celebrity investors have taken notice. Check out Boardroom’s latest Play by Play to find out who.
Inside the Action with Red Bull at SailGP NYC
This summer, I got an up-close look at the league’s New York stop with the Red Bull SailGP team, and let me tell you: This wasn’t just a race weekend, it was a full-on luxury experience. Red Bull’s team competes under the Italian flag and features a stacked international crew that’s been climbing the leaderboard throughout the 2024–25 season.
The VIP space was perched right on the edge of Governors Island, just feet from the racing action slicing through the harbor. You could feel the tension between the races. It was intimate, high-energy, and totally immersive. This is the kind of courtside access most fans can only dream about.
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The SailGP hospitality space exuded major F1 paddock energy, but on the water. It was intimate, well-designed, and offered a clear line to the action. Guests had access to shaded lounges, an open bar, an endless array of food, and uninterrupted views of the racecourse. One of the most unique parts? Designated areas to meet top team members from each franchise after the races. It felt less like a traditional sports event and more like an exclusive summer social.
If SailGP is gunning to be the next global sport for a new generation, this is how you do it: thrilling racing, tech-savvy broadcasts, celebrity backers, and IRL experiences that make you feel like you’re inside the action, not just watching from afar.
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