- Sold-out inaugural Perth Sail Grand Prix arrives in Western Australia
- Weekend of waterfront festivities to complement racing action in Fremantle
- Thousands of out-of-state visitors expected to attend and generate millions of dollars
- Part of the Cook Government's economic diversification strategy to provide a tourism boost for business and support local jobs
The Perth Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG has docked in Fremantle for a weekend of high-speed racing, live music, and waterfront festivities.
Taking place from 17-18 January, the inaugural Perth Sail Grand Prix is a sell-out and marks the opening event of the prestigious global 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship season.
Supported by the Cook Government through Tourism WA, the prestigious sailing event is estimated to have brought thousands of visitors to Western Australia, injecting millions of dollars into the State's economy, and generating enormous global media coverage for Perth.
To complement the event, the streets of Fremantle will be transformed into a vibrant fan zone, filled with live entertainment, pop-up experiences, and more. Local businesses in the port city will join in with event decorations and wayfinding signage, adding to the festival atmosphere.
Bathers Beach will be transformed into Aprs Sail following the racing action on Saturday and Sunday, keeping the party going after the sailing event and culminating with a performance on the beach by Australian electronic music group, Sneaky Sound System.
SailGP is one of the world's most spectacular and fastest-growing sports events on water, featuring 50-foot foiling catamarans raced by teams from 13 nations at speeds of over 100 kilometres per hour close to the shoreline.
In a series first, the Perth Sail Grand Prix will not only mark the first time that the prestigious catamaran race will be held at Fremantle's Bathers Beach, but also the first time the F50s will be raced on the Indian Ocean.
This spectacle will also feature the first ever SailGP Race Stadium in Australia, a water's edge grandstand that will establish WA in the league of other iconic locations such as New York, Saint Tropez, and Rio de Janeiro, which all host legs of this prestigious sailing competition.
The event is set to return to WA in 2027 and 2028, adding to Perth's growing annual calendar of events and showcasing the Cook Government's commitment to economic diversification through tourism, which provide a significant boost to local businesses and create jobs for Western Australians.
Final tickets are available at sailgp.com
As stated by Acting Tourism Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"The eyes of the world are on Fremantle this weekend as the highly anticipated inaugural Perth Sail Grand Prix takes its place as the first stop on the global 2026 SailGP Championships season.
"The Perth Grand Sail Prix is an extremely prestigious event, bringing travellers from around the world to WA and generating enormous media coverage for Perth and Fremantle, so it's a major coup for the Cook Government to host this event.
"Western Australia continues to prove its reputation as a premier destination for major events through our economic diversification strategy generating valuable tourism dollars for local jobs and businesses while showcasing some of the best of what our State has to offer."
As stated by Ports Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook Government is proud to support the first SailGP event in Fremantle, working with event organisers for safe access to the port for competitors and fans.
"This event puts a global spotlight on Fremantle Port, our coastline, and maritime history, showcasing how we can host world-class events on the water."
As stated by Acting Sport and Recreation Minister John Carey:
"Hosting SailGP in Fremantle for the first time this weekend is a huge win for Western Australia, with thousands of fans lining Bathers Beach for an event that will showcase our State to the world.
"SailGP brings together elite competition in an incredible water spectacle that will deliver strong results for tourism, local businesses, and the WA economy."
As stated by Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk:
"With Fremantle hosting the SailGP, the port city's status has been cemented as a world-class destination for hosting prestigious events.
"This landmark event is a great opportunity to boost local pride, drive economic growth, and showcase Fremantle's vibrant community to international visitors."
