WA Is Getting A Luxe Waterfront Grand Prix—And It’s All Happening In Fremantle

Fremantle is gearing up for its international debut as a high-speed racing hotspot with the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix, presented by KPMG, setting sail 17–18 January, 2026. 

Make no mistake, this isn’t your average regatta. SailGP is the F1 on water—a world-class, adrenaline-fuelled racing spectacle where elite athletes from the current 12 national teams battle it out on identical, high-tech 50-foot foiling catamarans that hit speeds north of 100km/h. It’s fierce, it’s fast, and it’s all unfolding just metres from the shore in our eclectic port city.

The world-class event is the season opener of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship, a globe-trotting series set against the world’s most iconic coastlines. And with the legendary Freo Doctor winds in play, WA is primed to deliver some of the most exhilarating racing in SailGP history. 

Our homegrown talent is also predicted to put up a good fight. Led by three-time Rolex World Sailor of the Year Tom Slingsby and co-owned by Hollywood icons Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, The BONDS Flying Roos are the most successful team in SailGP’s six-year history, with three Championship titles under their belt. Yep, Wolverine and Deadpool co-own our Aussie sailing team. It's safe to say the Roos have the star power covered.

But the on-water action is only half the story. Fremantle is going all out with SailGP’s fan experiences. For the first time in Australia, there’ll be a Waterfront Grandstand—elevated, allocated seating a stone’s throw from the race. Or keep things a little more laid-back at the Beach Club at Bathers Beach, with live commentary, big-screen viewing, interactive games and post-race entertainment to carry the adrenaline long after the boats dock.

With over 15,000 fans expected to flock to Freo, SailGP is set to be a game-changer for WA’s summer calendar. Throw in SailGP’s sustainability initiatives—Powered by Nature and Race for the Future—and you’ve got a waterfront Grand Prix you can feel good about, too. 

THE DETAILS 

What: Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix, presented by KPMG
When: 17–18 January, 2026
Where: Bathers Beach, Fremantle
Cost: $80–$400 per adult, $40–$90 per child
For more information, click here. 

Keen to get in on the action this summer? Grab your Perth SailGP tickets here.

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by SailGP and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Images: Supplied