The Must-see Event Coming to Sydney Harbour this Summer

Blistering speeds, close-quarter racing and a global schedule has seen SailGP make waves on the international sporting scene since its inception in 2018. 

The 2023/24 season features 13 events and 10 teams racing down the world’s most iconic waterways, including San Francisco Bay, New York’s Hudson River – and a Grand Prix across the glittering Sydney Harbour (24 and 25 February 2024). 

Competing for the trophy – and a US$1 million payday – are Australia, Switzerland, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and the USA. With national pride and prize money on the line, the world’s best sailors will board the league’s identical F50 catamarans – each capable of hydrofoiling above the waterline at speeds of up to 100-kilometres per hour – to compete. 

“It’s a combination of the country-versus-country competition, the state-of-the-art technology and the awesome action as these $6-million vessels go head-to-head in close-to-shore racing,” says Tom Slingsby, Australia SailGP team driver and CEO, of what makes the race unique. “We have the top athletes of the sport competing in these teams, so the level of racing and skill is epic.”

Defending SailGP champion Slingsby has skippered Australia to the top position three times, making Australia the only team to have ever lifted the trophy. This season there are more races, more teams to compete with and a lot more pressure to succeed.

“The KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix Sydney is so important to us as a team. We get to compete in front of our family and friends while representing our country and with that comes the desire to make them all proud.“

Keen to see these world-class teams in action? Slingsby gives us the lowdown on the best ways to see SailGP on Sydney Harbour – and the fun events taking place over the race period.

Genesis Island

“Shark Island’s ‘Genesis Island’ is the best vantage point on land,” says Slingsby. There are waterfront seats, live racing commentary, gourmet food and an open bar. “It’s located right in the centre of our racecourse so you’ll see the boats ripping around you.”

All tickets include boat transfers to Genesis Island from the SailGP Village in Barangaroo and there are two levels of tickets available (Silver and Bronze). New in 2024 is Genesis Island Platinum, a VIP group experience (age 18+ only) that includes a special reserved viewing area, drink service to your seat and priority ferry boarding.

SailGP Adrenaline Yachts

In partnership with BWA Yachting, SailGP’s premium yachting experience allows enthusiasts to charter their own superyacht to witness the SailGP race from inside the public exclusion zone on the water.

Official Spectator Boats

Aboard an open-top boat, you’ll have an incredible view of the F50 catamarans going head to head on Sydney Harbour, with live commentary narrating every twist and turn.

Bring Your Own Boat (BYOB)

For the first time, boat owners can BYOB inside the public exclusion zone. Sail solo or bring a crew and enjoy your own private SailGP party from the best seats in the house.

Your purchased BYOB SailGP flag enables you to gain entry inside the public exclusion zone  to secure the best viewing of the racing. Boats must be under 80-feet for BYOB

Team Base Tours

Take this rare opportunity to see SailGP's elite athletes and their F50 boats up close as the teams prepare to compete on Sydney Harbour. These tours take place several times a day from 21 February to 25 February and depart from the SailGP Village. 

SailGP Village

Located in Barangaroo, the SailGP Village is the pre-and-post race hub for all things SailGP, featuring hosted Q&As with SailGP athletes, F50 displays and partner activations. It also serves as the boarding point for on-water experiences and Genesis Island and is the meeting point for Team Base Tours.