SailGP, the global purpose-driven sailing competition, has officially entered the sports betting arena via partnerships with gaming operators DraftKings and Bet365 as part of efforts to boost fan engagement and grow its audience.
Bettors in the US will be able to place bets on the league’s races through DraftKings, while international fans can stake money via Bet365, starting from the league’s New York Grand Prix this weekend (June 7 and 8).
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SailGP managing director Andrew Thompson said: “We are delighted to create additional ways to attract and engage new SailGP fans by entering the sports betting marketplace and also give our existing fans new opportunities to enjoy the racing.
“SailGP is a sport driven by data, allowing sportsbooks to create odds on the spot at our events across the global championship, and enhance the viewing and spectating experience through live betting in a responsible manner.”
The league said it has developed a strategic integration with London-based odds and data solutions provider Abelson Sports to ensure accurate odds coverage. The company has also developed an in-house odds portal providing operators with real-time access.
Originally co-founded by billionaire Larry Ellison, chief executive of tech giant Oracle, and former yachtsman Russell Coutts in 2018, the upcoming New York Grand Prix marks the halfway mark for the fifth SailGP Championship season.
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By GlobalDataDuring that time, the league has grown its revenue through increased ticket sales, sponsorship, and media rights, including with US network CBS Sports for the 2024-25 season, which started in November 2024.
Other broadcast deals secured include the UK (TNT Sports), Spain (Movistar Plus TV), and Brazil (Globo), which were brokered by sports marketing agency IMG, which assists SailGP with selling its international media rights.
January’s New Zealand Grand Prix drew a record 25,000 ticketed fans to the event, while February’s Australia Grand Prix attracted the league’s largest global TV audience, reaching 21.1 million viewers.
The series has also gained major commercial partnerships with logistics heavyweight DP World, airline Emirates, and luxury watch brand Rolex, which is now the series’ first title partner.
The championship features 12 national teams racing identical catamarans, reaching speeds of over 60 mph.
Next year's competition will be contained entirely within the 2026 calendar, with an 11-month fixture schedule that will begin in January in Perth, Australia – a brand-new location for the series. Previous years have competed across the new year.
