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SailGP: Auckland to set new audience attendance record with stand expansion

by Ben Mackley 24 Aug 2025 22:20 BST
Black Foils - Race Day 1- ITM New Zealand - January 19, 2025 - Auckland © Felix Diemer/SailGP

Confirmation of a larger grandstand in the Wynyard Point Race Stadium means next year’s ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland will be the Rolex SailGP Championship’s highest ticketed capacity event yet.

After rewriting the league’s record books for attendance and event experience ratings on debut earlier this year, the Auckland event will be even bigger across Valentine’s Weekend next year with a 30 percent increase in grandstand size to accommodate more than 10,000 fans each day in the purpose-built Race Stadium at Wynyard Point, alongside hospitality and other ticketed products.

Fans will also get to see the largest international fleet to date, with expansion teams set to join the Rolex SailGP Championship from next season.

Rockwool Denmark - Race Day 1- ITM New Zealand - January 19, 2025 - Auckland - photo © Ricardo Pinto/SailGP
Rockwool Denmark - Race Day 1- ITM New Zealand - January 19, 2025 - Auckland - photo © Ricardo Pinto/SailGP

The 2025 Season ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix saw 25,000 people enjoy the most exciting racing on water across land and water based ticketed viewing options and next year’s event will offer racing fans even more options, including:

  • First access and exclusive pricing options for SailGP+ members. Fans can sign up now.
  • The introduction of a child’s price for the Waterfront Grandstand.
  • A new Waterfront Premium Grandstand offering with all-inclusive food and drinks and exclusive access to the premium Heineken bar.
  • Grandstand seat selection, allowing fans to choose their seating positions and giving priority to early purchasers.

After strong demand for tickets in 2025 including a sold out Super Sunday and strong pre-sales, fans are advised to get in quickly and join SailGP+ to make sure they get advanced access to tickets along with exclusive pricing for the Waterfront Grandstand for the 2026 event return. The SailGP+ pre-sale window runs from Friday 12 September to Monday 15 September, 2025. Tickets will then be released to the general public on Wednesday 17 September.

SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said, “We were delighted by the way local fans and visitors to the region embraced SailGP’s Auckland debut in 2025, and the 2026 ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix will build even further on that vision. Auckland is designed for the close-to-shore stadium racing that defines the Rolex SailGP Championship, giving fans an unmatched opportunity to be right at the heart of the racing action from Wynyard Point.”

Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby head towards the finish marker win the final race on Race Day 2 of The Rolex SailGP Championship ITM New Zealand Grand Prix in Auckland - photo © Bob Martin for SailGP
Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby head towards the finish marker win the final race on Race Day 2 of The Rolex SailGP Championship ITM New Zealand Grand Prix in Auckland - photo © Bob Martin for SailGP

The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland is delivered in partnership with Tataki Auckland and New Zealand Major Events, alongside Title Partner ITM. This season’s stop in Auckland (January 2025) demonstrated the sweeping benefits of the event, amassing a significant economic impact for the host region.

Tataki Auckland Unlimited CEO Nick Hill said, “SailGP was a real highlight of Tamaki Makaurau Auckland’s summer this year, injecting incredible energy into our downtown waterfront and creating a buzz right across the region. It showcased exactly why events like this belong here, with the Waitemata Harbour providing the perfect stage. Next year’s event promises even more for locals and visitors alike to enjoy and rightfully cementing its place as a highlight of our summer calendar.”

Rolex SailGP Chmapionship - 2026 Season Calendar:

  • January 17-18 – Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG
  • February 14-15 – ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland
  • February 28 - March 1 – KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix
  • April 11-12 - Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix
  • May 9-10 - Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix
  • May 30-31- Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix
  • June 20-21 - Canada Sail Grand Prix | Halifax
  • July 25-26 - Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth
  • August 22-23 - Germany Sail Grand Prix | Sassnitz
  • Sep / Oct - Spain Sail Grand Prix
  • September 12-13 - Rockwool France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez
  • November 21-22 - Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by DP World
  • November 28-29 - Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2026 Season Grand Final, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council

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