Unleash Your Passion: SailGP Partners with DraftKings and Bet365 for Thrilling Sports Betting Experience!
Fans at Governors Island in New York gathered to watch the exhilarating SailGP races this weekend, an event that promises to elevate the excitement of international sailing. The Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 7 and 8, 2024, is making waves not just on the water but also in the betting arena, thanks to a partnership between SailGP and major gaming companies DraftKings in the U.S. and Bet365 internationally. This initiative aims to deepen fan engagement by allowing spectators to place bets during the races, a move that SailGP’s Chief Revenue Officer Ben Johnson describes as a natural fit for the sport.
“It’s a sport that’s naturally built for sports betting,” Johnson stated. “It’s communal, fast-paced, and features many potential winners from event to event.” This innovative approach to betting aligns with SailGP’s broader strategy to attract new audiences since its inception in 2018 by tech mogul Larry Ellison and sailing champion Russell Coutts. The league showcases 12 co-ed teams competing in identical 50-foot catamarans that can reach speeds exceeding 60 mph, ensuring an action-packed experience for fans.
As the New York Grand Prix approaches the midpoint of SailGP’s fifth championship season, the intense competition has positioned the league as a thrilling option for bettors. Johnson remarked on the excitement around betting, noting that while favorites exist, the unpredictability of each race makes it anyone’s game. With each event held near shore and facilitated by pop-up stadiums, fans can enjoy an up-close view of the races.
SailGP has proven its worth in generating revenue through ticket sales, sponsorship, and media rights. The January 2025 ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix hit a record attendance of 25,000 spectators, and subsequent events have drawn massive global TV audiences-21.1 million viewers tuned in for the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix, marking a significant increase in interest. The recent Spain Sail Grand Prix also achieved a milestone with 1.78 million viewers in the U.S., the largest audience for a sailing race in three decades, according to Nielsen reports.
This season’s strategic timing to broadcast after NFL games, as Johnson points out, creates robust opportunities to capture a larger national audience. With a goal to attract younger and more diverse fans, SailGP has accumulated 1.4 billion video views on social media platforms over the past year and significantly increased its YouTube subscriber base, nearly half of whom are aged 18 to 34.
To further engage fans, SailGP is incorporating educational elements about sailing rules during the live events, transforming casual viewers into invested spectators. The league captures an impressive 270,000 data points per second during races, which are used to generate real-time betting odds, enhancing the spectator experience.
As sponsorship dollars continue to flow, the league’s partnership with Rolex marks a significant milestone. Individual teams have secured major sponsors, including Red Bull and Emirates, while SailGP teams are being evaluated at increasingly high valuations, underscoring the growing financial interest in the series. Recently, the U.S. team was acquired for a notable $35 million, and sales for teams are now regularly exceeding $50 million.
As the league evolves, with 10 of its 12 teams now independently owned, SailGP continues to explore fresh avenues for growth and fan engagement, ensuring that this dynamic sport reaches audiences worldwide like never before.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/02/sailgp-sports-betting-draftkings-bet365.html
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Publish Date: 2025-06-02 18:55:00
