SailGP Announce Broadcasting Renewal with Fotxtel Group and SBS

SailGP has announced a renewal of its Australian broadcast partnerships with Foxtel Group and SBS, extending the league’s reach across both subscription and free-to-air platforms for the 2026 season.

The agreement follows a record-breaking 2025 campaign that saw global viewership soar to 215 million, with the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney alone attracting a record 21.2 million dedicated viewers.

For the first time, the 13-round global calendar features two domestic events: the season-opening Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix (17–18 January) and the return to Sydney Harbour (28 February – 1 March).

By maintaining the “Foxtel/Kayo for depth, SBS for reach” model, SailGP aims to capitalise on the “Hollywood-led” commercial momentum of the BONDS Flying Roos, following the high-profile acquisition of the team by co-owners Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds.

Commenting on the broadcasting renewal, SailGP global head, Broadcast & Media Rights, David Gillett, said: “Ensuring continued and comprehensive access for our Australian viewers for Season 6 was of paramount importance to us.”

“This year promises to be a huge one… with two races for the first time and, of course, some well-publicised new owners of the BONDS Flying Roos,”Gillet said.

SailGP Foxtel Group and SBS Commitments

• Foxtel Group (Kayo SPORTS): Will continue its six-year tenure as the primary broadcast home, delivering every race of the 13-round season Live and On Demand in 4K.

• SBS & SBS On Demand: Will expand its free-to-air commitment, providing Live coverage of both the Perth and Sydney events, alongside a dedicated highlights program for all international rounds.

The 2025 season averaged 18 million viewers per event, a 12x increase since Season 1, providing a robust commercial foundation for the 2026 extension.

Commercial and Team Evolution

The 2026 season marks a “cultural reset” for the Australian team, now rebranded as the BONDS Flying Roos under their new title partnership with BONDS.

The inclusion of Jackman and Reynolds as co-owners alongside skipper Tom Slingsby has significantly lowered the average age of the SailGP viewer, with the team’s digital engagement up 90% year-on-year.

The competition expands to 13 national teams this season with the debut of the Artemis SailGP Team (Sweden), increasing the commercial value of the broadcast rights.

Broadcasts will feature the second generation of T-Foils, designed to keep the 50-foot catamarans foiling in lighter winds, ensuring more consistent live racing for TV windows.

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