SailGP heading to Rome for fresh Italian round in 2027

Rome is the surprise venue for SailGP’s new round in Italy next year, it has been announced.

The addition of an Italian round was revealed last week when the series unveiled the schedule for what will be the seventh season of SailGP. But the venue was listed ‘To Be Confirmed’.

Now the series has announced a three-year deal with the City of Rome and the Lazio region to bring the series to the Italian capital on September 11-12 2027.

“When Larry Ellison and I founded SailGP, our ambition was to build a sports and entertainment property that extended far beyond the sailing audience,” said SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts. “Our vision is to deliver thrilling competition, cutting-edge technology, and world-class hospitality in the most iconic cities all over the world.

“Rome, with its global significance, is the perfect stage to amplify that vision. Adding another premier destination to our calendar demonstrates the powerful proposition SailGP offers to host cities and partners globally. 

“We are thrilled to announce a three-season commitment in Rome as we continue to build our fanbase and deepen our footprint across Italy. We would like to thank all our partners in Rome for making this agreement happen, including the City of Rome, the Region of Lazio, the Municipality of Fiumicino, the Porto Turistico di Roma and of course, the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team.”

Red Bull Italy SailGP team members Jana Germani (strategist) and Enrico Voltolini (grinder) joined CEO Jimmy Spithill and owners Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo and Assia Grazioli-Venier at the Piazza di Campidoglio for the announcement, made against the backdrop of the city’s world-famous Colosseum.  

“I think if you’re looking for the perfect place to host our first home event, it doesn’t get much better than SailGP Rome,” said Spithill. “It’s a city with incredible history, from the Colosseum to so many other iconic landmarks, and it’s a truly special place to visit. To be able to sail there makes it even more exciting. 

“For our first home event, we’ll be racing off the coast of Rome, and I think people will be blown away by the number of fans who come out to support the team. It’s an awesome venue, an amazing city, and I can’t wait to see everyone there.”

The event will mark a return to Italy for SailGP. The country previously staged two events in Taranto in 2021 and 2023.