SailGP will return to Southsea this weekend, bringing two days of high-speed international racing, live music and waterfront entertainment to the Solent.
Thirteen national teams will compete in identical foiling catamarans during the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, with the boats capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.
Thousands of spectators are expected to gather at Southsea Common and along the seafront to watch some of the world’s leading sailors compete in a series of short, fast-paced races close to the shoreline.
A new split-fleet format will be introduced on Saturday, with the 13 teams divided into groups of seven and six for the opening qualifying races.
Qualifying will continue on Sunday before the four highest-performing teams progress to the Event Final, the final race of the weekend, to compete for victory at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix.
Organisers are encouraging people to attend on Sunday to experience the new racing format and watch the winning team celebrate inside the Race Stadium.
SailGP action in Portsmouth - Credit: Marketing SailGP 2026
The action will continue after racing, with live music performances from Jess Glynne on Saturday and Craig David on Sunday.
Southsea Common will provide the event’s main spectator area, offering views across the Solent throughout the weekend.
SailGP’s chief meteorologist Chris Bedford is predicting favourable conditions for both competitors and spectators.
"We've had a very unusual weather pattern across Europe for quite a while, but it looks like we're starting to break out of that," Bedford said.
"Right now, the forecast is for southwesterly to westerly winds throughout the weekend, with moderate to fresh breezes both days, around 22-33 km/h and possibly a little higher. The weather looks good - I think it's shaping up to be a really good weekend."
The Portsmouth event is one of the highlights of the global SailGP championship and will bring elite international sailing back to the city’s waterfront.
Visitors travelling into Southsea are being advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow additional time because of the large crowds expected throughout the weekend.
For more information and to get tickets to the weekend event in Southsea click here SailGP Portsmouth 2026 Tickets – A Sailing Race (external site)
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