The Southsea seafront is getting ready for a massive transformation next weekend as the SailGP racing circuit makes its highly anticipated debut in Portsmouth. On Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July 2026, the Solent will become a high-speed racetrack for the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix. If you have ever wanted to see identical, high-tech 50-foot foiling catamarans flying over the water at speeds exceeding 100 km/h (60 mph), this is your chance. The event is hosted by the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, led by CEO Sir Ben Ainslie and driven by Olympic gold medallist Dylan Fletcher MBE. The crew also features top-tier athletes like Hannah Mills OBE, Stuart Bithell MBE, and Ellie Aldridge MBE, making it a star-studded lineup representing the home crowd.
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If you are planning to head down to watch, there are plenty of ways to experience the action. While you can catch glimpses of the racing for free from various public spots along the seafront—including the newly upgraded promenade at Southsea Common—the official Race Stadium offers the most immersive experience. Located at Southsea Common with the main entrance at Brian Kidd Way, the stadium opens at 14:00 on Saturday, with racing scheduled between 16:30 and 18:00. Ticket options range from the Waterfront Grandstand at £75 for a single day (or £120 for the weekend) to the premium VELA Beach Club at £245, and even the ultra-exclusive VELA Privé lounge experience. For those who want to get directly on the water, Prometheus Sailing is offering luxury yacht spectator packages starting at £245 per person, departing from Port Solent Marina.
Because of the scale of the event, there are several temporary closures and transport changes to keep in mind. Portsmouth City Council has closed Southsea Castle and the promenade section between the Blue Reef Aquarium and the Southsea Rock Garden until 31 July to facilitate the setup. Additionally, Avenue De Caen and Clarence Esplanade will face road closures and parking restrictions over the race weekend. Since there is no official event parking, the best way to get there is by public transport, walking, or using the Park & Ride (PR3) service, which runs its last bus from Clarence Pier at 19:24. It is the perfect excuse to check out the recently completed £185m Southsea coastal defence upgrades, which reopened the historic naval memorial section of the promenade earlier this spring.
Published Date
17 July 2026
