The Rolex SailGP Championship is reaching its dramatic crescendo in Abu Dhabi this weekend (November 29-30, 2025), with the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand Final, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
The Rolex SailGP Championship is a global racing league featuring 12 national teams competing in identical, high-tech F50 foiling catamarans. These revolutionary boats reach speeds exceeding 100 km/h, making SailGP the most exciting racing on water. The championship combines elite athleticism, cutting-edge technology, and iconic global venues to create world-class sporting entertainment.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand Final brings the most exciting racing on water to Mina Zayed, transforming the iconic waterfront into a festival of sport and entertainment, where the championship will be decided in a winner-takes-all Grand Final race on November 30 with USD $2 million up for grabs.
The championship-deciding event reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the world’s premier destinations for elite international sporting events.
At today’s official press conference at Surf Abu Dhabi, SailGP’s championship contenders and leadership reflected on an unforgettable season as they prepare for a winner-takes-all finale.
“The SailGP 2025 season has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP.
“We have broken records all season long, smashing attendance figures globally to prove that SailGP has never been bigger or better. This weekend in Abu Dhabi is the absolute pinnacle of that success. We will see 12 world-class national teams compete, culminating in a final showdown where only the top three will earn a chance to battle for the Rolex SailGP Championship and the monumental US $2 million winner’s purse—the largest prize in the sport. The tension couldn’t be higher, and we are incredibly thankful to all our partners for helping us host this spectacular season conclusion, which truly positions SailGP alongside the world’s greatest sporting events.”
The Grand Final embodies sporting drama in its purest form. After 11 adrenaline-fueled events, only four national teams remain mathematically capable of claiming the championship: Emirates GBR, the Black Foils, the BONDS Flying Roos, and Los Gallos. Two days of fleet racing will determine the top three teams in the overall championship standings, who will then advance to a single, winner-takes-all final race.
This revolutionary format ensures that the championship remains genuinely undecided until the final seconds. Unlike traditional championships where titles may be mathematically secured with races remaining, the SailGP Grand Final guarantees that every maneuver, tactical decision, and wind shift could rewrite history. The champion will be crowned on the water before thousands of spectators, with no calculations, no what-ifs, and no consolation prizes – just three teams, one racecourse, and one winner.
Dylan Fletcher, Emirates GBR Driver, said: “We’re absolutely buzzing for the racing in Abu Dhabi. To be sat where we are in the standings heading into the Grand Final is super exciting. We’ve had quite a rollercoaster of a season where we started off strong, then took a downward turn at the US events, but then we brought it back in Europe and finished that leg on a high by winning the last event in Cadiz. This is my first season with the team so it’s great to be leading the standings heading into the final event. We’ve been doing a lot of preparation as a team to make sure we are performing at our best in Abu Dhabi. Essentially, there are four teams competing for three spots in the Grand Final and it’s super close on points. It will be whoever comes out best in those fleet races in Abu Dhabi that will make it into that $2m race, and if we manage to get in there we will go hell for leather to try and win the season championship.”
Diego Botin, Los Gallos Driver, added: ”It’s been a challenging second part of the season for us. We are in a hard position to make it into the 3 boat grand final in Abu Dhabi but the small course and the potential light winds open the chances for things to get crazy. For us it will be about being aggressive and playing our cards the best possible way to make the most of our chances.”
Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the Rolex SailGP Championship finale extends the emirate’s distinguished reputation as a global sporting capital. The event joins Abu Dhabi’s world-renowned international sports calendar, which includes the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – the final race of the season – and the DP World Tour’s first Play-Off event, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, cementing the capital’s status as a preferred destination for championship-deciding moments in elite international sport.
The championship’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and world-class athleticism aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision of hosting transformative sporting spectacles that showcase cutting-edge technology and the highest standards of competition.
Festival of Sport and Entertainment
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand Final, presented by Abu Dhabi sports Council delivers far more than elite racing. The event features a comprehensive entertainment program, including performances from globally recognised platinum-selling pop sensation Olly Murs on Saturday, November 29, and popular TV personality and DJ Mark Wright on Sunday, November 30. The Après-Sail celebration, presented by Mastercard, will transform the Race Stadium into a vibrant cultural hub.
Premium hospitality options include the Waterfront Grandstand and the Waterfront Premium Lounge x Nobu by the Beach, offering spectators a choice of vantage points and world-class dining experiences. The SailGP Race Stadium provides an immersive fan experience featuring interactive activities, exclusive merchandise, premium food and beverage options, and family-friendly entertainment.
