ABU DHABI SAIL GRAND PRIX Info

All race courses will be situated within an exclusion zone located in the nearby waters of Mina Zayed.

Here is a  map that shows the location.

The Exclusion Zone will be created daily, identifiable by large visible orange buoys at regular intervals. Only vessels with authorised flags purchased from or issued by SailGP may enter the exclusion zone.

The Exclusion Zone will be established and active as follows:

• 1230-1600 Friday 12 January 2024 (Practice Race)
  • Only SailGP official vessels are permitted to enter the Exclusion zone.. 
  • All public spectator vessels (even with SailGP Flags) will be requested to stay outside of the zone.
• 1230-1600 on Saturday 13 January 2024 (Race Day 1)
  • Official SailGP Charter & BYOB Flag holders will have the right to enter the Exclusion Zone..
  • All other non-authorised vessels will be requested to stay outside of the zone.
• 1230-1600 on Sunday 14 January 2024 (Race Day 2)
  • Official SailGP Charter & BYOB Flag holders will have the right to enter the Exclusion Zone..
  • All other non-authorised vessels will be requested to stay outside of the zone.

The vessel must fly the flag provided by SailGP at all times. Official SailGP Racecourse Marshals will be operating from RIBs managing the Exclusion Zone by checking the flag and boat name. The RIBs will be identifiable by large orange flags stating CM (Course Marshal). Please follow their instructions. 

 Boats without a BYOB flag will be held at least 200m outside the exclusion zone

Flags will be available for collection at SailGP Box Office merchandise store at the SailGP Technical Site entrance (accreditation container), Zayed Port - Abu Dhabi. A link to the location can be found here. Flags can be collected between:

• 12:00 - 16:00 on Thursday the 11th of January 2023
• 12:00 - 16:00 on Friday the 12th of January 2023
• 08:00 - 12:00 on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2023

 When collecting the flag, please provide the Boat Name and Captain Name as identification. If you are unable to collect your flag please email us at [email protected].

The Race Course layout will be decided daily by Race Management, who proposes the course orientation according to the weather conditions. BYOB & Charter Flag holders will be informed of the predicted racecourse setup and where to position their vessel via email each day during the morning. Please note, the racecourse orientation is subject to change.

The daily email sent by Race Management will provide final details of where to position your vessel in the Exclusion Zone. Race Course Marshals will guide you and assist upon your arrival at the Exclusion Zone. The map above provides an example of the BYOB zone.

When entering the port please make sure that you hail the port on VHF 11 for permission to enter, please do so ahead of entry if approaching from the main Channel entrance.

We request boaters to be in position approximately one hour before racing.

Yes, you can drop anchor when in position, if the weather conditions allow, but if there are a large number of boats in the water it is preferable to maintain your position on standby, motoring.

While the F50s are sailing during, before, or after racing it is forbidden to approach them. Remember that these boats have limited maneuverability and visibility and will have Course Marshall and Official RIBs escorting them to maintain a perimeter of security.

If you see an F50 deliberately sail towards you while you’re stopped or at low speed, maintain your boat position & direction still and allow the F50 to maneuver around you. Do not operate sudden changes in speed or direction, that would confuse the F50. If you’re sailing, reduce your speed and slowly head away from their course.

Standard UAE Maritime Law and Regulations will apply at all times.

Yes, we will declare a channel to provide instructional information to the spectator fleet. Vessels should always monitor VHF Channel 74. This channel will also broadcast live commentary during racing. 

There will be a Temporary Restricted Airspace (TRA) active during Fri-Sun in the vicinity of the Exclusion Zone. As such, drones will not be permitted to enter this zone.

Some key safety reminders:

• Emergency assistance. Standard emergency procedures and methods apply. 
• Know your plan - Preparation is key. Ensure you have prepped and checked your vessel, equipment and any other gear. Make sure you know the local conditions and rules where you're going.
• Lifejacket - Wear one of the right size and type at all times. Each person on board must have one. 
• Communication - have at least two ways of communication that you’re comfortable and able to communicate effectively and quickly with. 
• Marine weather forecast. The marine weather forecast is different from land weather forecasts. The weather will be different on the water and can change suddenly.
• Keep an active lookout. We’re expecting a large number of vessels and spectator craft, meaning likely congestion on race days. Be a responsible skipper, keep your distance and don’t get too close to other boats.
• Know your wake. Your vessel may handle big waves and wake, but other vessels may not. Be a responsible skipper, keep your distance and don’t get too close to other boats. 
• Monitor SailGP’s BYOB VHF channel for updates

The Race Stadium and Team Base Site is located at Freeport 1, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi. 

Waterfront Grandstand and Premier Waterfront Grandstand ticket holders are based in the Race Stadium. Upon arrival at the site, you will be directed by our team to the entry point.

We’re an event powered by nature and with sustainability at the forefront of all actions. We encourage all our event attendees to use public transportation options and walk or cycle wherever possible.  

• By Public Transport: Abu Dhabi has an extensive bus transportation network, which can be used to travel to the event. Trips can be paid for using a Hafilat Smart Card. For more information, you may refer to this site here. 
• By Car: Parking is on a first come, first served basis at Gate 4, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi (By Falcon Heli Tours, Abu Dhabi). However you must ensure your space is booked in advance on Saturday and Sunday, through our ticketing page here, as spaces are limited. 
  • The pin location for the car park can be found here. Please follow signage along the route.
  • Please note that the car park is a short 10 minute bus ride from the venue. Complimentary shuttle bus services will be provided to and from the venue. 
  • Shuttle services will begin at 12:30 GST. 
• Taxi/Rideshare: A taxi drop off and pick up is conveniently located at the Race Stadium entrance. There will be road closures in effect so please use this pin to get to our checkpoint where our event team will direct you.

Accessible parking is available at the Gate 4 park and ride, and a POD shuttle will run to the Race Stadium.
If you have indicated accessibility requirements when booking your ticket, our ticketing team will reach out to you for a dedicated parking space close to the Race Stadium. Please contact [email protected] if you require close parking and have not been contacted directly.

The event is on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th January 2024.

Team Base Tours running from Friday 12th of January to Sunday 14th January 2024

The Race Stadium is open from 12:30 - 17:30 each day.

Plan ahead and arrive early to leave plenty of time to park and take the shuttle bus to the event site, and for the entry searches and ticket checks and the event entrance.

Gates open at 13:00 and the last entry is 14:00 for ticket holders. Arrive early to get access to the best seats in the Grandstands and enjoy the best of what the Race Stadium has to offer.

Racing is scheduled between 14:00 - 15:30, with three races each day (weather dependent). Updates or changes to the schedule due to inclement weather will be communicated via our website.

Our F50’s are exhilaratingly fast, and the race leader can change in the blink of an eye - we recommend staying in your seats during the racing so you don’t miss any excitement out on the water!  See the Food & Drink section for more information on our in-grandstand hawker service.  NOTE: Grandstand seating is unreserved, so the best viewing spots are first come, first served.  Please do not leave any belongings unattended, including using them to reserve seats whilst visiting other Race Stadium facilities.

Our Race Stadium is a place for inspiration, entertainment and relaxation. Be sure to try a wide-range of not-to-be missed activities, including:

• On Saturday 13th January only - Special post-race Take That performance. 
• Athlete Meet & Greets // For the first time ever, meet SailGP athletes after the racing. Pose for selfies and get your merch signed!
• Are You Fit To Foil? // Test your strength and stamina against SailGP athletes with our one-of-a-kind grinder machine, where we replicate what the teams use to make our F50s fly.
• Exclusive SailGP Photo Spots // Either by the huge SailGP letters or in our photobooth, capture the day in style
• Street Food Market & Bars // Taste some of the most popular street food from Abu Dhabi
• Immersive Exhibitions // Enter the stadium and be transported through incredible immersive exhibitions and activations around SailGP's sustainability purpose. These will be fully interactive for you to get involved and leave your mark, with full details to be revealed.
• Free custom cap merch customisation stand. 
• Mubadala x Inspire activation zone – Learn about the power of sailing, how to get into the sport, the connection between Abu Dhabi’s great maritime history and SailGP’s cutting edge sailing technology.
• Feel what it’s like to be part of the exhilarating world of high-speed sailing like never before with our Virtual Reality F50 experience 
• Glamdroid 360 camera activation
• Free Mubadala x SailGP Water Bottle for every fan entering stadium 
• Face painting and coloring wall for all the family
• SailGP flybys prior to race
• Prizegiving
• Social Media Wall
• Competitions to win merchandise.
• SailGP Fan Shop
• Music and entertainment across the race stadium

After the last race of each day, it’s time to get the party started! The Race Stadium will stay open until 17:30 on both days. After racing on Saturday, there will be a special performance featuring Take That ! 

However, as well as enjoying the music, visit the Fan Shop for a take home souvenir, and soak up the atmosphere with last drinks at the bar to end your visit in style. 

No, Waterfront Grandstand and Premier Waterfront Grandstand tickets on Saturday include free access to the Take That performance on Saturday ! 

Please note the last entry for ticket holders is 14:00. 

Gates open at 13:00 and the last entry is 14:00 for ticket holders.

Arrive early to get access to the best seats in the Grandstands and enjoy the best of what the Race Stadium has to offer. 

The performance will commence after racing has finished. 

The performance is standing room only for ticket holders. 

There will be an accessible viewing platform. Please see more details in the Accessibility section.

Take That performance will take place after racing ends on Saturday.

At SailGP, we are committed to providing an inclusive environment for everyone. As part of this, we will endeavor to make our services, facilities and event sites as accessible as possible to ensure no one feels excluded. If you'd like to see additional facilities at a SailGP event, or if you have any other personal requirements, please contact us.

For those requiring step free access or wheelchair seats, accessible seating tickets will be available. If you have already purchased general access tickets please contact [email protected] and we will happily amend your ticket.

For the Take That performance on Saturday, there will be an accessible viewing platform available for persons requiring free access or wheelchair seats.

Carers for persons with disabilities are entitled to a free ticket. To arrange, please contact [email protected]

Race Stadium facilities are accessible to all, including catering and bar outlets, the Fan Shop and toilets. Unfortunately no hearing loop is available at this event.

Registered assistance dogs are permitted, including into our unreserved grandstand seating. There is no specific dog spending area in the event site, however our re-entry policy facilitates leaving and re-entering the Race Stadium (subject to bag searches upon re-entry).

All ground surfaces within the site are hard. Some kerbs are situated around the event space and parking areas, but ramped access will be available to all areas. Viewing areas within the grandstands for people of determination will be accessed via ramps, where our Event Ambassadors are available to provide assistance as necessary.

POD parking spaces are allocated within the guest car park, and a POD shuttle will run from gate 4. If you have indicated accessibility requirements when booking your ticket, our ticketing team will reach out to you for a dedicated parking space close to the Race Stadium. Please contact [email protected] if you require close parking and have not been contacted directly.

An accessible drop off point will be available close to the Race Stadium. Please contact [email protected] if you require this facility.

Wheelchair accessible viewing and easy access viewing is available at the front of our grandstand (access via a ramp). Companions attending with spectators with accessible requirements are welcome to join them in the viewing area.