navy pier sailboat race

5 reasons to experience the U.S. Sail Grand Prix Chicago at Navy Pier

Published on June 12, 2023 by Choose Chicago

The Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago at Navy Pier brings action-packed racing to Lake Michigan, Chicago’s Skyline Stadium , on June 16 – 17, 2023 to kick off the summer of racing.

National teams from the United States and all around the world will race hydro-foiling 50-foot race boats that literally fly over the water while sailing at 60+ mph speeds, thrilling crowds on land and on water, all in the heart of the Windy City. 

Chicago is the only freshwater venue in the world, and is the first event to open SailGP’s season four! Here are five reasons to come experience the adrenaline-fueled racing at Navy Pier:

1. Race boats that literally fly out of the water. Really! The F50 catamaran uses hydrofoils to lift out of the water and achieve highway speeds, faster than almost any power boat! This means close racing, crashes, capsizes, and drama — definitely not your normal day on the water.

2. Come for the party, stay for the racing! Tickets start at just $35 for general admission on Friday or Saturday. The Race Stadium opens at 3 p.m. and racing begins at 4 p.m. each day.

New to the festivities this year: the White Claw™ Beach Club. With panoramic views of the racecourse, the Beach Club is located right at the water’s edge and is the best place to witness the fast and furious racing action of SailGP. 

3. Feel the spray of the F50s flying by Navy Pier. SailGP brings fans closer into the action than any other sporting event with opportunities to meet world-class athletes on shore and catch a glimpse of the race boats up close!

4. Bring your own boat! Yes, Chicago’s Skyline Stadium really will feel like a race course and you have the opportunity to bring a boat (or ask a friend) and anchor right next to the race course for an unparalleled, up-close race experience!

5. Don’t have your own boat — no problem! Another new option is the On-Water Premium Presented By White Claw™ Spirits. Treat yourself to an exclusive race experience onboard the SailGP spectator boat fleet with unique viewing opportunities located immediately next to the race course.  

How to watch Sail Grand Prix

Join the party on land or on water! Navy Pier is race stadium headquarters and will host the weekend party to watch as the turbo-charged 50-foot race boats fly only a few feet away, across Chicago’s Skyline Stadium. Enjoy live music and DJs, premium food and beverage experiences, fan shops, big screen TVs, fireworks, and more!

Racing takes place between Navy Pier and Adler Planetarium, guaranteeing a front-row seat along the waterfront as well.

When is Sail Grand Prix

Race day 1 | Friday, June 16 SailGP Stadium | 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Race times | 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Race day 2 | Saturday, June 17 SailGP Stadium | 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Race times | 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Get more information and purchase tickets .

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Dec. 7, 2021 | SailGP announces expanded North American presence as part of Season 3 growth plans

Chicago Chosen to Host the United States Sail Grand Prix at Navy Pier June 18-19, 2022

Please be aware that the content on this webpage was authored more than 6 months ago, so some information may be outdated or no longer accurate. Please visit our event calendar for information on current events.

CHICAGO – Dec. 7, 2021 –  SailGP announced today that Chicago has been selected to host the United States Sail Grand Prix at Navy Pier, June 18-19, 2022 as the league unveiled the first eight cities that will launch the global racing league’s expanded Season 3 race calendar.

SailGP is one of the fastest emerging properties in world sports featuring exciting, up-close action as teams race identical F50 catamarans – a highly-technical, hydrofoiling race boat that boasts highway speeds – in an annual global championship held in some of the most iconic cities around the world.

Featuring 10 national teams comprising the best athletes in the sport representing the United States, Great Britain, France, Denmark, Spain, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, plus two new franchises from Canada and Switzerland, the F50s will race on Lake Michigan directly in front of the Chicago skyline, marking the first time the championship has ever competed on fresh water.

The U.S. Sail Grand Prix Chicago at Navy Pier will be the second event in Season 3 and is part of a two-year hosting agreement between SailGP and the city to bring the world’s most exciting on-water racing to the Midwest.

Navy Pier has partnered with SailGP to serve as the central race village for the spectator-focused racing including ticketed viewing areas, entertainment, and on-shore and on-water VIP hospitality opportunities for fans to watch both days of racing unfold on the Chicago harbor racecourse.

“I am thrilled that SailGP has chosen Chicago to host the U.S. Sail Grand Prix at Navy Pier,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “Our striking skyline along Lake Michigan at Navy Pier is a gorgeous and dynamic location perfectly suited to bring sailors and revelers together for this exciting race. I look forward to welcoming this event, and in the future we hope to attract more sporting events to Chicago.”

Navy Pier President & CEO Marilyn Gardner commented: “Navy Pier is thrilled to partner with SailGP to bring this extraordinarily exhilarating event to Chicago. It’s been said that a sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind, so the Windy City must be the greatest canvas in the world. We can’t wait.”

The addition of Chicago in Season 3 further bolsters the league’s growth in the North American market, complementing existing events in Bermuda and San Francisco, in addition to the other global venues announced including Copenhagen, Plymouth, Cadiz, Saint Tropez, Dubai, Sydney, and Christchurch, New Zealand.

“Chicago’s reputation as an incredible sports city is second to none and we cannot wait to bring the most exciting racing on-water to the skyline racecourse in front of Navy Pier,” said SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts. “SailGP’s close-to-shore action has thrilled fans around the world and we couldn’t think of a better venue to further our expansion in North America.”

With the biggest names in professional sailing representing teams from around the world, the United States SailGP Team, led by two-time America’s Cup champion Jimmy Spithill, is expected to draw significant hometown support.

“We are absolutely pumped to be going to Chicago,” said Spithill. “Racing in front of Navy Pier is about as good as it gets and it will feel like a home event for us. The city has some of the greatest sports fans in the world and they’re going to be blown away by what they see when we come to town.”

The American team’s roots in Chicago extend beyond just the race course. The U.S. SailGP Team partnered with the Chicago Yacht Club – alongside the Chicago Park District and the Jackson Park Yacht Club Foundation – to bring its Foiling First initiative to the city. Alongside team partners RISE and World Sailing Trust, Foiling First aims to advance diversity and inclusion in the sport with youth from across the lakefront as part of the league’s #RacefortheFuture.

“We are thrilled to be part of SailGP’s global championship for Season 3. Chicago has the best sports fans in the world, and we’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to welcome back major international sailing to Chicago,” said Executive Director of the Chicago Sports Commission, Kara Bachman. “As we saw with the hosting of the America’s Cup World Series, Lake Michigan and Chicago’s iconic skyline set an incredible backdrop for the world’s best sailors to compete.”

Additional information including details on tickets and hospitality opportunities will be released in early 2022.  Click here   to receive updates about tickets and further U.S. Sail Grand Prix Chicago at Navy Pier announcements.

SAILGP SEASON 3 SCHEDULE* // 2022-2023

* Further events will be announced to complete Season 3, which will conclude April 2023 and is expected to comprise ten events.

ABOUT SAILGP //  SailGP races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. The world’s most exciting race on water, SailGP features national teams battling in short, intense races at iconic stadium-style venues across the globe, building to the grand final – and sailing’s top prize of $1 million. The high-tech, high-speed action features sailing’s best athletes racing in identical hydro foiling F50 catamarans, flying at speeds exceeding 60mph. Visit  SailGP.com  for more information.

ABOUT   THE   UNITED   STATES   SAILGP TEAM:  // The United States SailGP Team is the American entry into SailGP, composed of some of the world’s most talented professional sailors, racing the groundbreaking F50 catamaran — which is completely Powered by Nature™ — for the chance to win $1 million. Led by champion Jimmy Spithill, the team uses cutting-edge technology, intensive physical ability, and extreme skill and mental athleticism to deliver exciting racing as they represent the USA in the global championship. For more information on the team and athletes, visit  SailGP.com .

Media Information / Editorial Images & Video:

To participate in live press conferences and virtual media mix zones at each SailGP event, please create an account at  mediahub.sailgp.com .

SailGP Media Contact:

Laura Muma, PR Manager, USA +1.773.960.3960 [email protected]

About Navy Pier

Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and typically welcoming nearly 9 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more.

The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Family Pavilion and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. In 2021, Navy Pier continued to usher in its second century with ongoing Pier-wide redevelopment efforts—including Sable, a 223-room Hilton hotel, new restaurants and partnerships, and thrilling additions to Pier Park. The Pier is also proud to continue providing free, year-round arts and cultural programming designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization, in support of the organization’s post-pandemic revival and free public programming. For more information, visit www.navypier.org .