Thirteen Teams Set For 2026 SailGP Season
The 2026 SailGP season will see a record 13 teams compete for the Rolex SailGP Championship across multiple high-stakes events, including one in Bermuda.
A spokesperson said, “The 2026 Season will see a record number of teams take to the SailGP startline. More teams, more competition and heaps more action.
“Here’s our guide to the 13 teams vying to be crowned the 2026 Rolex SailGP Champions.
“They might be SailGP’s newest team but Artemis are an outfit packed full of faces SailGP fans will be familiar with. The Swedish-flagged team are expected to be serious title contenders thanks to a wealth of top-level talent including driver Nathan Outteridge, wing trimmer Chris Draper and flight controller Andy Maloney. One to watch, for sure.
“New Zealand’s Black Foils are one of the most consistent – and most talked about – teams in SailGP, having made it to the Season Grand Final three times. Led by Kiwi sailing legend Peter Burling, and powered by some of the biggest names in the sport including Blair Tuke and Liv Mackay, the Black Foils are consistently near the top of the standings. But despite their strength and success they’ve never lifted the Rolex SailGP trophy – could 2026 be their year?
“With three Rolex SailGP Championship titles to their name and two runner-up finishes, Australia’s BONDS Flying Roos are without doubt the most successful SailGP team of all time. Driver and team co-owner Tom Slingsby is one of the most feared and respected athletes in the league, heading up a refreshed 2026 line-up that will feature reigning SailGP champ Iain Jensen in the wing trimmer seat. Backed by Hollywood royalty – Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds are co-owners – expect the BONDS Flying Roos to make an early statement in Perth.
Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team
“British team Emirates GBR made a clean sweep of the spoils in 2025, claiming the Rolex SailGP Championship, topping the season points table and winning SailGP’s Impact League. In the aftermath they lost veteran wing trimmer Iain Jensen to arch rivals the BONDS Flying Roos – but stepping into his place for 2026 is Stuart Bithell, who transfers from Germany by Deutsche Bank. The move reunites Bithell with his Olympic gold medal-winning teammate and Dylan Fletcher, Emirates GBR’s driver. Can the golden duo replicate their Olympic success in the SailGP arena?
“The 2025 season was a case of what could have been for France: moments of sheer brilliance combined with utter bad luck and some disappointing outings resulted in a fifth-place overall finish. There’s no doubting, however, that the French team – led by plucky young driver Quentin Delapierre – are capable of scrapping it out with the best, and as their Grand Prix win in Sassnitz showed, they’ve got what it takes to bring home the silverware. Leigh McMillan joins the team for 2026 as wing trimmer, while their backroom staff is bolstered by French sailing hero Philippe Presti.
Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank
“SailGP’s most improved team started 2025 with a nightmare crash that resulted in penalty points, almost ending their season before it began. A mid-season crisis meeting resulted in a complete turnaround saw them claim their first ever Grand Prix win – and the rest was history. With flight controller Stuart Bithell joining Emirates GBR, driver Erik Heil will have to forge a new relationship with the incoming Kevin Peponnet – but one thing’s for sure, Germany will be looking to pick up where they left off when 2026 gets underway.
“Spain’s 2024 SailGP Champions couldn’t quite replicate their winning form last season, but they pushed their rivals right to the bitter end. Three-time champion driver Tom Slingsby labelled Los Gallos the team he feared the most at the 2025 Season Grand Final, and for good reason: Diego Botin’s outfit are willing to push their F50 to the brink – and sometimes beyond – in the pursuit of glory.
“Martine Grael is a history-maker: two Olympic gold medals to her name, the first female driver of a SailGP team and the first female race winner to boot. Despite finishing their maiden season in SailGP in 11th, her Brazilian team showed they have buckets of potential – and they’ll be looking to take their learnings from a tricky season into 2026.
“Canadian outfit NorthStar showed real promise in the first half of 2025, pushing the top teams hard and claiming a Grand Prix victory in Los Angeles on top of runner-up spots in Sydney and San Francisco. Their wheels fell off slightly in the latter stages of the season, before redeeming a fourth place in Abu Dhabi to end 2025 in sixth overall. Driver and double Olympic gold medallist Giles Scott knows what it takes to rebuild and come back swinging. Expect NorthStar to have upped their game for 2026.
“After a debut season that saw them finish 10th, Red Bull Italy opted to bolster their team during the off-season transfer period handing driving duties to SailGP veteran fan favorite Phil Robertson. The Kiwi athlete is renowned for his punchy, bold approach to racing – expect fireworks when the 2026 season gets underway in Perth.
“Another of 2025’s success stories was Danish-flagged ROCKWOOL Racing. Nicolai Sehested’s crew obliterated the SailGP speed record during the Germany Sail Grand Prix, hitting an incredible 103.94 km/h, then rounded off their season with their first ever Grand Prix victory in Abu Dhabi. With a team rammed full of big names such as Tom Johnson and Ed Powys, ROCKWOOL will no doubt be a team to watch in 2026.
“Two podium finishes in 2025 – in Portsmouth and on home waters of Lake Geneva – were enough to prove that Switzerland have what it takes to challenge the league’s best teams. Sebastien Schneiter knows his team need to find consistency if they are to work their way up the overall standings from their eighth place finish last season. But with a star-studded crew including America’s Cup stars Arnaud Psarofaghis and Bryan Mettreaux behind him, Schneiter will be heading into 2026 confident his team have what it takes to contest at the highest level.
“A rollercoaster 2025 saw the US team start strongly with a podium finish in Dubai, but fall foul of mistakes including a pre-start capsize in Sydney and a Grand Prix-ending collision with Emirates GBR in Sassnitz. A tricky season ended on a high with a fifth in Abu Dhabi, giving the team a much-needed confidence boost heading into 2026. American Magic youth team helmsman Harry Melges joins Taylor Canfield’s outfit for the upcoming season.”
