The high-octane sailing league SailGP has successfully sailed into financial independence, concluding its initial five-year funding period backed solely by its billionaire founder, Larry Ellison.
From Startup to Self-Sufficiency
Ahead of its inaugural season in 2019, American tech magnate Larry Ellison agreed to personally bankroll the new 'Formula 1 on water' competition for a five-year term. That agreement concluded at the end of the 2025 season, which saw the Emirates Great Britain team clinch its first championship.
Unlike many startups that fail, SailGP has not been sold off nor has it faltered. Instead, the league reported a central revenue of $200 million for the 2025 season. This financial milestone means Ellison, along with co-founder Russell Coutts, can now take a back seat, as the series no longer requires direct funding from its creator.
Andy Thompson, SailGP's managing director, hailed the first five seasons as "an incredible success story." He highlighted the journey from $10 million in revenue in season one to a position where no further owner funding is needed. "That is a fantastic measure of success," Thompson stated.
Global Expansion and Celebrity Investment
The past year has seen a significant evolution for the league, attracting high-profile investment. Celebrities including actor Hugh Jackman, footballer Kylian Mbappé, and actress Anne Hathaway have invested in SailGP teams. Furthermore, a capital injection from investment firm Ares Management has solidified the league's financial foundations.
Expansion is firmly on the horizon. Following the addition of the Swedish Artemis team for the 2026 season opener in Perth this month, a three-way battle is underway between Abu Dhabi, Mexico, and China to become the 14th franchise in 2027. The price for a team spot has now soared to over $60 million.
Thompson confirmed in December that the series is targeting new host venues in India, Italy, South Korea, and Hong Kong, and is also eyeing the establishment of an Indian team. The 2026 season kicks off in Perth on 17 January, with further events in New Zealand, Brazil, Bermuda, New York, and a UK event in July. Some host cities are paying eight-figure sums for the privilege.
Ambitions to Join the Sporting Elite
With a sponsor roster featuring giants like Oracle, Rolex, DP World, Emirates, and Mubadala, SailGP's commercial appeal is clear. Thompson outlined an ambitious vision for the league's future, stating its goal is to be one of the top global sports championships by 2030.
"We are free from the governance-related matters that other sports have been tripped up by over the years," he said. "Now we want to break through and compete side by side with some of the major players in global sports like MotoGP." While acknowledging SailGP is roughly 75 years behind Formula 1's legacy, Thompson believes the league can reach the very top, driven by a racing product tailored to modern viewing habits.
The league's success story allows Ellison to focus his vast resources elsewhere, recently illustrated by his $40.4 billion personal guarantee in Paramount's bid for Warner Bros. From founding a premium sporting product to achieving central revenues of $200m and attracting celebrity capital, SailGP has crafted a business model that other struggling sports may well wish to emulate. While not yet profitable, its trajectory suggests that milestone may not be far off.
