As SailGP launches new VELA Beach Club premium hospitality
SailGP, the most exciting racing on water, has announced that tickets for the 2026 Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix will go on sale for SailGP+ users on January 19, followed by the general public on sale January 23 at SailGP.com/Rio .
The Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix, taking place April 11-12, 2026 in the Guanabara Bay, will be the fourth stop of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship and the global racing championship’s long-awaited debut in South America. The fan-centric, two-day spectacle will feature 13 national teams racing in identical 50-foot foiling catamarans faster than wind speeds over 100km per hour competing in front of the iconic Rio skyline and stunning Sugarloaf Mountain. It will mark the first time that local fans have the chance to see the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team race at home, as the crew enters its second season in SailGP.
In Rio, spectators will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets to VELA Beach Club for the first time – SailGP’s new global premium hospitality offering that combines world-class racing with a chic waterside social scene. Guests will enjoy elevated viewing, stylish lounge spaces, and an atmosphere designed for a unique sporting experience. VELA Beach Club draws its spirit from the Latin term “vela” – meaning “sails” – a symbol of freedom, momentum, and the exhilarating pursuit of new horizons.
Sir Russell Coutts, SailGP CEO and co-founder, said: “The 2026 Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix will deliver everything that makes SailGP the most exciting racing on water: incredible speed, tight competition, and a backdrop you simply can’t find anywhere else. Brazil’s fans bring extraordinary passion, and with the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team racing at home – and the launch of our new VELA Beach Club – this will be one of our most vibrant and unforgettable events yet.”
Alan Adler, IMM CEO, said: “Bringing SailGP to Rio de Janeiro for the first time is a landmark moment for the sport and for Brazil. Few cities in the world combine natural beauty, passion for sport, and energy like Rio. Having the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team racing at home gives fans a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of SailGP up close and to cheer for their own team on one of the most iconic waterfronts on the planet.”
Martine Grael, driver of Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, said: “Our first season in SailGP was incredibly special - we grew a lot as a team and even secured two race wins, which showed the potential of this new Brazilian project. Now, the excitement is even greater as we look ahead to finally racing at home. We didn’t get the chance to feel that energy last season, but in 2026 we’ll have the incredible opportunity to compete in Rio, surrounded by our own fans. Sailing in Guanabara Bay, with the crowd behind us, will be fantastic. We can’t wait to give our best on the water and experience what it means to represent Brazil in front of our home supporters.”
Ticket offerings for the 2026 Enel Sail Grand Prix will include the following two tiers, with prices announced closer to the on-sale dates:
● Waterfront Grandstands: Fans will enjoy elevated grandstand seating in the heart of the action, perfectly positioned in the race stadium to catch every moment, along with expert live commentary, big screens, and food and drinks available for purchase.
Exclusive SailGP+ Presale Price: R$275 Single Day | R$440 Weekend
Standard Price: R$305 Single Day | R$485 Weekend
● VELA Beach Club: Fans will enjoy a chic waterfront hospitality experience that blends world-class racing with a vibrant social scene. This includes best-in-house race views, refined lounge spaces, exceptional service, complimentary culinary offerings and premium beverages, and an atmosphere designed to experience SailGP in style.
Exclusive SailGP+ Presale Price: R$985 Single Day | R$1.575 Weekend
Standard Price: R$1.085 Single Day | R$1.735 Weekend
This news coincides with the Mubadala SailGP Brazil Team’s Born to Sail docuseries that launched today – a five-episode series airing on Sportv2 and Globoplay that follows the team through its first season in SailGP. The series showcases the behind-the-scenes of a season marked by extreme speed, strategic decisions, and challenges that push the limits of the sport, including unexpected accidents, crew changes, and races won and lost by mere seconds.
For more information about the 2026 Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix, fans can visit SailGP.com/Rio and can sign up for SailGP+ for first-release tickets in addition to exclusive content, special offers, and top-tier competitions from the most exciting racing on water.