All you need to know ahead of the return of SailGP to Auckland.
A fleet of 13 F50 foiling catamarans will tear around the Waitematā Harbour on Saturday and Sunday evening in SailGP’s return to New Zealand on February 14 and 15.
Last year was the first time Auckland hosted SailGP, which proved to be a massive boost for the local economy, drawing more than 25,000 spectators. That followed two editions on Lyttelton Harbour.
Auckland is the second stop of 13 across the globe for the 2026 season.
The campaign opened in Perth last month, where Emirates GBR came out on top, while it was a disaster for the Black Foils after a collision with Switzerland in the opening race, which meant they were unable to compete for the rest of the weekend.
The threat of thunderstorms has seen Sunday’s session moved to an earlier time, with racing now at 11.30am instead of 4pm. Saturday’s schedule remains unchanged.
It was a tight window between events for SailGP to repair the damage to the Kiwi boat in time for Auckland, but they got the job done.
At the press conference on Friday, league chief executive Sir Russell Coutts confirmed the home team would be on the starting line.
“It’s been a monumental effort, but they’ll be back on the start line this weekend and I’m sure that the New Zealand fans will turn out in force to support the Black Foils this weekend.”
The Black Foils were always confident they would be back on the water in Auckland this weekend, but with the repair requiring work to be done in the UK before being air freighted to New Zealand, it will be a relief for the team that everything went to plan with the rebuild.
The Black Foils were one of two teams out recommissioning their F50 foiling catamarans on Friday, with the Spanish team also needing to make sure their repaired vessel is in sailing condition.
There was practice racing scheduled for Friday afternoon, but that was cancelled due to thunderstorms in the forecast.
Racing will take place on the Waitematā Harbour on the city side of the Harbour Bridge off Wynyard Point.
The last remaining tickets can be purchased here.
If you want to see the action and don’t have a ticket/have no plans of getting one, a free public screening will be held at Eastern Viaduct on both race days. Space and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
The surrounding Viaduct Harbour and waterfront area are also great places to take in the atmosphere and get glimpses of the boats coming in and out of the water.
The racing will be broadcast live on Three and ThreeNow from 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The action will also be livestreamed on the SailGP YouTube channel and the Herald will run a liveblog from 3.30pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday.
Bring something waterproof as there is a chance of the odd shower on Saturday and Sunday.
The wind looks like it’ll play ball, with a solid easterly forecast on Saturday which is expected to get a touch stronger for finals day on Sunday. That should lend its hand to some fast, frantic racing on the tight Auckland course.
It is recommended fans come to the sailing via public transport – or walking, cycling, scootering ... you get it.
There will be road closures from Madden St down to the waterfront, but Jellicoe Street Carpark will be open and accessible via Madden St.
If you’re getting a taxi or Uber, there is a dropbox location on Packenham St.
Bus routes will be unaffected.
Bus travel is included for SailGP ticket holders; just show your event ticket to the driver as you board. There is no parking available at the SailGP race stadium, you’ll need to find a spot in a carpark building – or on the street – nearby and walk over.
If you are heading to the race stadium, bring a water bottle with you. There will be refill sites available.
The Black Foils lead the charge in terms of Kiwi representation, although Sweden arrive as something of a second New Zealand team, with a host of Kiwi links in their ranks.
There are a few New Zealand links on the water for other teams.
Black Foils (NZ): Peter Burling - driver, Blair Tuke - wing trimmer, Liv Mackay - strategist, Leo Takahashi - flight controller, Louis Sinclair - grinder, Marcus Hansen - grinder.
Sweden: Andy Maloney – flight controller, Brad Farrand - grinder/jib trimmer, Sam Meech - coach
Italy: Phil Robertson - driver
Canada: Alex Sinclair – grinder
Switzerland: Stewart Dodson – grinder
France: Jason Saunders - flight controller
Germany - Will Tiller - grinder
Team NZ America’s Cup representatives
Sweden: Nathan Outteridge (driver), Chris Draper (wing trimmer).
Australia: Iain Jensen (wing trimmer).