SailGP Betting: DraftKings & Bet365 Partnership
- SailGP is diving into the world of sports betting,partnering with DraftKings in the U.S.
- Ben Johnson, SailGP chief revenue officer, emphasized the natural fit between the sport and sports betting.
- The new York Grand Prix marks nearly the season's halfway point.According to Johnson, the tight competition makes the sport ideal for gaming.
SailGP is making waves by entering the sports betting arena, joining forces with DraftKings and Bet365. This strategic partnership, starting with the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, aims to ignite fan engagement and pull in a wider audience to the thrilling world of high-speed sailing. The league, co-founded in 2018, offers an ideal setting for betting with its unpredictable races and rapid changes in fortune. News Directory 3 might be interested in the upcoming event! Boost your understanding of crucial racing rules to increase your edge. SailGP is experiencing a surge in viewership numbers, sponsorship deals, and escalating team valuations, a clear indication of its growing success. Discover what’s next as SailGP sets sail into the future of sports entertainment.
SailGP Introduces Sports Betting with DraftKings and Bet365
Updated June 02,2025
SailGP is diving into the world of sports betting,partnering with DraftKings in the U.S. and Bet365 internationally. The move,beginning with the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 7-8,seeks to boost fan engagement and attract new viewers to the high-speed sailing league.
Ben Johnson, SailGP chief revenue officer, emphasized the natural fit between the sport and sports betting. He cited the communal atmosphere, high speeds, and frequent changes in winners as key factors. The league, co-founded in 2018 by Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts, features 12 international teams racing identical catamarans at speeds exceeding 60 mph.
The new York Grand Prix marks nearly the season’s halfway point.According to Johnson, the tight competition makes the sport ideal for gaming. Fans can bet on race winners, teams reaching the finals, and the overall season champion. On-site activations will also educate fans on sailing rules.
SailGP is already generating revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and media rights. The 2025 ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix drew 25,000 fans, while the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix reached 21.1 million TV viewers, according to YouGov.
In october 2023,the Spain Sail Grand Prix drew 1.78 million U.S. viewers on CBS, the largest U.S. linear TV audience for a sailing race in 30 years, according to Nielsen. sailgp aims to capitalize on similar broadcast windows following NFL games.
the league is also attracting a younger, more diverse audience through digital platforms. Over the past year, SailGP garnered 1.4 billion video views across social media and tripled its YouTube subscriber base, with nearly half of subscribers aged 18-34.
With real-time data capture of 270,000 points per second, SailGP provides bookmakers with up-to-the-minute odds. Johnson believes that understanding the racing rules will further enhance fan interest.
Sponsorship dollars are also on the rise. In November, SailGP signed Rolex as its first title partner. Individual teams have also attracted major sponsors like Red Bull and Emirates.
Team valuations are increasing as well. In November 2023,Marc Lasry’s Avenue Sports Fund acquired the U.S. team for $35 million.More recently, the red Bull Italy SailGP Team was acquired by a consortium including actress Anne Hathaway, with teams now valued at over $50 million.
Johnson noted that 10 of 12 teams are now independently owned,with future teams following the same model. The ownership groups include private equity firms,family offices,athletes,and actors.
What’s next
SailGP plans to continue expanding its reach through strategic partnerships and innovative fan engagement strategies, solidifying its position in professional sports.