SailGP 2027 Calendar Reveals Major Shift in Australian Focus
SailGP has unveiled its 13-event calendar for the 2027 season, but one notable absence is the Sydney Sail Grand Prix, which has been officially removed from the schedule. This decision marks a significant shift in the sport’s focus within Australia, with the spotlight now turning to Western Australia and the Perth Grand Prix in Fremantle as the country’s premier event.
The official statement from SailGP highlights that the decision was primarily driven by the physical limitations of Sydney’s race venue. As the sport continues to expand, there is an increasing demand for larger, shore-based ticketed viewing areas for fans. Unfortunately, Sydney is unable to meet these requirements due to the constraints of its current setup.
Sydney Harbour, while offering one of the most iconic backdrops in the sport, presents challenges in terms of infrastructure. The primary viewing hub at Shark Island is not suitable for building temporary grandstands or large-scale onshore hospitality facilities. The rocky terrain of the island poses safety concerns, making it difficult to construct the necessary structures. Additionally, the spectator zone is largely accessible only by boat, creating logistical hurdles that the sport could not resolve before finalizing the 2027 calendar.
Despite the exclusion of Sydney, SailGP officials have expressed openness to the possibility of a future return. They acknowledged the city’s contributions since hosting the first SailGP event in 2019, which took place in one of the most beautiful and iconic harbors in the world.
“The league has experienced incredible growth over the years, and we’re especially grateful to local fans and our partners, notably the New South Wales Government and Destination NSW, for their support,” the statement said. “While a return to Sydney in 2027 hasn’t been pursued due to the limitations of the current Race Stadium footprint, which has only allowed a limited number of fans access via Shark Island or spectator boats, we remain positive about a potential return in the future.”
SailGP plans to continue working with local stakeholders to explore alternative locations that can accommodate the grandstands and on-shore hospitality facilities that are now standard at most events across the globe.
When contacted by Wide World of Sports, a spokesperson from Destination NSW shared their perspective: “The NSW Government through Destination NSW has proudly supported SailGP in Sydney since 2021, showcasing the Harbour City to a global audience.”
“While it is disappointing that SailGP has decided not to include Sydney in their 2027 series calendar, the NSW Government through Destination NSW remains open to discussions with SailGP for the event to return to its most spectacular location on Sydney Harbour in the future.”
“Sydney and NSW remain Australia’s leading destination for world-class sporting events, with a stellar line-up already secured for 2027, including the New Year’s Test Match, Rugby World Cup 2027, Netball World Cup 2027, and Newcastle Surfest WSL Challenger Series.”
Fan numbers at both events in Australia provide a clear indication of how crucial grandstands are in attracting spectators. Fremantle’s event saw a sold-out crowd of more than 15,000 fans, while Sydney struggled to accommodate even 6,000 fans at Shark Island.
Sydney holds a special place in the history of SailGP, having hosted the debut of the new F50 catamaran event in 2019. However, for 2027, a new event in Hong Kong will kick off the season in January before SailGP heads to the new Australia Sail Grand Prix in Perth.
