Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix Returns to Geneva for 2026 SailGP Season
Following a sensational debut in September 2025, Geneva has rapidly established itself as one of SailGP’s most compelling natural stadiums. Last year’s inaugural edition drew a sold-out crowd, with more than 8,500 ticketed fans lining the lakefront to witness F50 foiling catamarans slicing across the water at astonishing speeds. The atmosphere was electric, the racing razor-close, and the setting unforgettable — even if local hopes were dashed when the Germany SailGP Team, presented by Deutsche Bank, denied Switzerland victory on home waters.
Geneva cements its place on the SailGP map
For SailGP, the return to Geneva is about far more than revisiting a successful venue. It reflects the league’s broader ambition to establish a consistent annual calendar anchored in iconic global cities.
SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts described the decision as a significant milestone in the championship’s growth.
“Returning to Geneva is a significant moment for SailGP and our fans, as we continue to build a consistent annual calendar in some of the world’s most iconic destinations,” said Coutts. “In 2025, the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix became one of the most attractive outdoor sporting events ever hosted in the city — and the biggest ever staged on the lake.”
He added that the 2026 event will build on that success, with an expanded fan experience ashore, enhanced viewing areas and world-class hospitality for spectators, guests and partners alike.
“Having an event in Geneva is important to SailGP’s global growth,” Coutts said. “We look forward to working closely with Rolex, the City and the Canton to host another record-setting weekend.”
Rolex and SailGP: a partnership on home waters
For Rolex, the Geneva event carries particular resonance. The Swiss city is the spiritual home of the brand, and its continued support of SailGP reflects a partnership rooted in precision, performance and innovation.
Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex Director of Communication and Image, underlined the significance of bringing the championship back to Lake Geneva.
“We are proud to welcome the Rolex SailGP Championship back to the home of Rolex following a remarkable race weekend last September,” he said. “The event reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership and our shared commitment to shaping the future of sailing and bringing the sport to new audiences.”
Having partnered SailGP since its launch in 2019, Rolex’s involvement spans the entire championship — on and off the water — and Geneva offers a rare opportunity to showcase that relationship in a truly iconic setting.
Home waters, unfinished business
For the Switzerland SailGP Team, the return to Geneva comes with unfinished business and renewed ambition.
Driver Sébastien Schneiter spoke openly about the motivation that comes with racing in front of a home crowd.
“We’re extremely excited to welcome SailGP back to Geneva,” he said. “A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this event possible. Racing at home gives us something extra — the energy from the crowd really does give you an edge.”
After narrowly missing out on victory in 2025, the Swiss team will arrive in 2026 determined to convert home support into home success, with Lake Geneva once again set to test the fleet’s nerve, precision and boat-handling skills.
A pivotal stop on the 2026 calendar
The 2026 Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix will replace Saint-Tropez’s previously scheduled September slot and will serve as the 11th stop of the 2026 SailGP Season. Crucially, it will also be the final European event before the championship heads to the Middle East for a season-defining double-header in the UAE.
That positioning only heightens the stakes. With championship points likely finely balanced, Geneva could play a decisive role in shaping the title race.
The impact of the event extends far beyond the racecourse. In 2025, the Geneva SailGP weekend delivered a significant economic and cultural boost to the city, attracting tens of thousands of spectators across the shoreline, grandstands and on-water zones, while a global television audience of 19.5 million viewers tuned in worldwide.
Foiling returns to the lake
Fast, loud and unforgiving, SailGP’s F50s are a striking contrast to Geneva’s calm elegance — and that tension is exactly what makes the venue so compelling. When the fleet returns in September 2026, the lake will once again become a stage for elite foiling, national rivalry and stadium-style racing at its most intense.
Geneva is ready. SailGP is coming back.