Valencia named host city of SailGP in new three-year deal

Global racing league SailGP has announced that it will host events in Valencia, Spain, for the first time, following the signing of a three-year host venue deal. The inaugural Spain Sail Grand Prix | Valencia will take place on 5 and 6 September 2026.

The city joins an established list of previous SailGP destinations, including Rio de Janeiro, Bermuda, New York, Portsmouth and Dubai, as a long-term fixture on the Rolex SailGP Championship calendar, through to 2028. Before now, SailGP in Spain has been held in Andalucía-Cádiz for the past four years.

"We are delighted to welcome Valencia to the SailGP calendar, starting this year," said SailGP CEO, Sir Russell Coutts. "With its sporting heritage, world-class racing conditions, Valencia will become a natural home for SailGP as we continue to grow in Spain. 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.”

A city steeped in maritime history, Valencia's facilities in the boating and yachting world range from a 15th-century port to the world-class superyacht marina, Marina Port Valencia, which underwent a major renovation in 2024. Major sporting events are no new feat for the city either, which has previously hosted Formula 1 races and the 33rd America’s Cup, as well as the annual MotoGP Valencia Grand Prix and other sporting endeavours.

Second vice president and minister of the presidency in the Valencia Government, José Díez, added: “The Valencian Government would like to welcome this major competition, which will provide a new platform to showcase the advantages that the Valencian community in general, and the city of Valencia in particular, offers for hosting top-level sporting events such as this one. Furthermore, the region's long-standing connection to sailing competitions and its experience in organising major sporting events lead us to believe that our collaboration with SailGP will be fruitful and successful.”

The announcement comes after the season opener of the Rolex SailGP Championship in Perth, Australia. Last year, the league announced a high-profile collaboration with Grammy Award-winning artist DJ Khaled.