2025: A huge year for sailing in Portsmouth

Portsmouth is gearing up for a big year of fast and furious sailing action. At the centre of it all will be two huge events coming to the city this summer, where the eyes of the sailing world will be firmly trained on Portsmouth.

Here's all the information you need on the big events heading our way.

   

SailGP

19-20 July

SailGP is an international competition featuring some of the world's greatest sailors and fastest boats. Just like the America's Cup, it uses foiling catamarans for incredibly fast-paced, edge-of-the-seat racing action. Where it differs, however, is that all boats are identical, and that technical information is shared between the field. This spirit of openness and levelling of the playing field does away with the America's Cup's tech "arms race" - offering instead a straight race between the best sailors on the day.

As SailGP itself puts it, spectators can expect: "Adrenaline-fueled races, legendary global locations, rival national teams and record-breaking speeds. [It's] the most exciting racing on water."

Those global locations include Auckland, Sydney, Los Angeles, New York, Rio de Janeiro and Geneva - as well as Portsmouth, of course. In fact, racing on the Solent forms stage 8 of 14, which should mean the teams have well and truly settled into the competition and all its intricacies by the time they race off the Southsea coast.

Those teams will represent Great Britain and reigning champions Spain, plus Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA.

As well as the white-knuckle racing action, SailGP also has a sustainability drive, which it encapsulates in the motto: Racing with Purpose. The aim is to make SailGP the world's most sustainable and purpose-driven sports and entertainment platform.

This is seen most keenly in its Impact League, a secondary table in addition to the racing one, which ranks the competing teams on both their sustainability and inclusivity. The winning team is rewarded with funds for its designated 'Purpose Partner' - which last season was Emirates Team GB. The winnings were handed to the 1851 Trust, which carries out STEM education and has a base in Old Portsmouth.

The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix takes place over the weekend of 19 and 20 July, with fans on land able to witness all the action with spectacular views from the elevated Race Stadium. Additionally, a huge on-water presence is expected as the UK’s passionate sailing fandom turn out in their droves.

Read more about the event here.

   

The Ocean Race

14-17 August

In August it's the turn of The Ocean Race, a competition with a history spanning more than 50 years that has been a proving ground for sailing legends the world over.

In fact, 2025 will see The Ocean Race return to Portsmouth, which was the departure and arrival point for the very first event back in 1972. Back then (when it was called the Whitbread Round the World Race), the event saw 17 yachts and their 167 crew members sail around the world from Portsmouth, following the cargo routes of the 'square riggers' in the 19^th century.

Legend has it that the arrangements for this debut race were finalised over refreshments at a Portsmouth pub.

Today's Ocean Race is a decidedly more high-tech affair. As with SailGP and the America's Cup, the boats involved in The Ocean Race have hydrofoils to fly at great speeds above the water - all to make for an incredible spectacle for those in attendance.

In fully crewed mode each boat will carry four sailors and an on-board reporter. The Ocean Race also puts huge emphasis on the environment and inclusivity. Specialised equipment will carried on board each yacht to provide water sampling data to international scientists. What's more, teams will be required to generate at least 30% of the energy used on board during each leg from renewable sources. Plus, at least one of the crew must be female and two nationalities must be represented across the race crew for each team.

The Europe 2025 section of the competition begins at the port city of Kiel in Germany, before heading over to Portsmouth. Afterwards it takes in Cartagena, Genova and Boka Bay. Further locations may be announced over the coming months.

This European leg forms just part of what has been described as the world's 'longest and toughest professional sporting event'. In fact, The Ocean Race has seen sailors dedicate their entire lives to winning the trophy, with teams working round the clock and round the world to eke out precious stage wins.

Visitors will be able to watch all the action unfold at the Ocean Live Park public arena which will be located in Gunwharf Quays. There will be family activities; engaging and educational ocean health activities; and activations showcasing the extraordinary achievements of the sailors and teams in the Race.

Forming the second leg of The Ocean Race Europe, racing in Portsmouth will take place on the weekend of 16 and 17 August.

Read more about the event here.