The SailGP international sailing series has unveiled Hongqi, a Chinese luxury vehicle brand, as a sponsor of its 2025 Grand Final in Abu Dhabi this coming weekend.
This deal brings SailGP its first major commercial partner from China.
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Hongqi, based in the Chinese city of Changchun, has been named an official partner of the Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix Season Grand Final, which will take place on November 29 and 30, becoming SailGP's first major commercial partner from China.
The deal will involve a new Hongqi vehicle, the Hongqi Golden Sunflower Guoya, being showcased throughout the event, including through "on-site branding and presentations [and] broadcast graphics."
Charlie Dewhurst, SailGP's chief commercial officer, has now said: "This is the pinnacle of the SailGP Season and we are thrilled to be back in Abu Dhabi, partnering with Hongqi as we broaden our engagement in the Chinese market.”
Yang Xiaocui, a vice president at Hongqi, added: "This collaboration between Eastern elegance and world-class sailing excellence represents a new chapter in luxury mobility. Together, we are not just showcasing a vehicle, but delivering an unparalleled experience that redefines luxury automotive and lifestyle integration for our global clients.”
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By GlobalDataIn terms of other sponsors for SailGP's 2025 season finale, Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala is the event's title partner, with Abu Dhabi Sports Council acting as the presenting partner.
Out of the 12 teams that have taken part in the 2025 SailGP season, three – to be taken from the quartet of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Spain – will race for the Championship trophy in Abu Dhabi.
Rolex, meanwhile, is the series's overall title sponsor through a decade-long deal announced last November.
For the 2026 SailGP campaign, the action gets underway in mid-January in Perth, Australia.
