SailGP is reportedly in dialogue with major betting operators to offer markets on the high-speed sailing race competition.
The plan is to boost engagement, draw in new fans and enthusiasts, as well as increasing awareness of the racing circuit.
As detailed by Gambling News, SailGP is said to be in talks with DraftKings and bet365 to bring the contest to bettors across the United States and other international markets.
The SailGP season is based around a dozen “grand prix” events, with each taking place at renowned locations across the world, from New York to Saint-Tropez.
The showcase events take place over two days, with six races involving the whole fleet in high-performance F50 foiling catamarans and a final contested by the three fastest teams to declare the event champion.
Although there may be perceptions of SailGP as a niche sport, it reportedly has 193 million viewers globally, including interest in exclusive locations.
Can't wait for the #NewYorkSGP? 👀
You're in luck a the latest episode of #RacingOnTheEdge is here to get you through until the weekend 🥳
Head to the #SailGP Youtube channel to watch 📲 pic.twitter.com/QXGdlBBC0t
— SailGP (@SailGP) June 2, 2025
Fun for fans from a betting and gaming perspective
SailGP chief revenue officer Ben Johnson was effusive on the prospect of opening up betting markets on headline platforms:
“It’s a sport that’s naturally built for sports betting and gaming onsite in person at the events. It’s communal; it’s high speed; there are lots of different winners, event-to-event.”
He continued to describe how betting interest can contribute to engaging viewers for longer and converting them to the competition:
“It is really reflective of how good the teams are currently and how much competition there is on a race-to-race basis, which makes it really fun for fans from a betting and gaming perspective. You can have an odds favorite, but at the end of the day, it really depends on which team is sailing most competitively that weekend in that venue,” added Johnson.
All of this comes ahead of Round 6 in the current 2024/25 season, with the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix taking place on June 7-8.
Depending on how quickly negotiations can be concluded, the Big Apple could provide the backdrop for the first SailGP event to be open to bets.
Image credit: SailGP/X
