The SailGP global sailing series has announced the arrival of its 13th team, Artemis Racing from Sweden, ahead of the league’s 2026 season. The new side will debut when SailGP Season 6 launches in January off the coast of Perth, Australia.
Led by Iain Percy, a double Olympic gold medallist and former America’s Cup campaign leader with Artemis Racing (2013, 2017), the Swedish entry brings deep competitive pedigree and high-profile leadership to the league.
Expanding the Global Roster
Artemis joins a growing lineup of new franchises. In 2025, SailGP confirmed new teams from Italy and Brazil, while also overseeing several team ownership changes as part of its private-ownership transition.
The tender process for new teams, supported by Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, concluded earlier this year and continues to drive the league’s vision of becoming a truly global, privately owned championship.
Russell Coutts, SailGP CEO, welcomed the announcement:
“We’re thrilled to welcome the Artemis SailGP team. With their talent, experience, and professionalism, they’ll be a real contender from the very first race.”
Iain Percy, Artemis CEO, added:
“Bringing Sweden into SailGP is a milestone. With cutting-edge technology, a world-class line-up, and lessons from the America’s Cup, we’re determined to compete at the very highest level.”
Consolidating the Calendar
The Swedish team’s debut comes as SailGP strengthens its global calendar with multi-year extensions across key markets:
- Australia (Perth) hosting through 2028.
- Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) confirmed for 2026 and 2027.
- Bermuda extended to 2028.
- New York City Grand Prix locked in for 2026 and 2027.
- Portsmouth (UK) and Dubai (UAE) extended through 2027.
The 2026 season will also mark a scheduling shift — running entirely within a single calendar year (January to November), rather than spanning across New Year transitions.
Investment Momentum
Since its launch in 2019, SailGP’s long-term goal has been to transition to privately owned teams within five years. That vision is now materializing:
- Next 3 Ventures has taken a stake in the US team.
- Ares Management, the US-based private equity firm, recently acquired the final stake in the French team.
This underscores growing investor appetite for sailing as a property that combines elite competition, cutting-edge technology, and sustainability narratives.
Strategic Takeaway
The addition of Artemis Racing is more than just another team announcement — it signals SailGP’s intent to cement itself as a global, commercially scalable sailing league. With its mix of private investment, extended hosting deals, and expansion into new markets, SailGP is building a structure that mirrors the growth path of Formula One and other global touring properties.
For Sweden, Artemis’ entry also provides a platform to project national sailing heritage onto the world stage while tapping into SailGP’s growing international fan base.
The real question now is not whether SailGP can sustain its growth — but how far it can push the boundaries of sailing as both a sport and a global entertainment product.
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IMAGE: SailGP
