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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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SailGP: United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago

What is sailgp united states sail grand prix chicago.

SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago is a thrilling international sailing championship that takes place in Chicago, USA on Lake Michigan.

When and where is the SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago taking place?

The SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago is taking place on June 16-17, 2023, at Navy Pier in Chicago. The thrilling international sailing championship will happen on Lake Michigan.

What can I expect to see at SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago?

At SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago, you can expect to see the world’s top sailors compete in high-speed, cutting-edge F50 catamarans on Lake Michigan.

How long is the SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago event?

The SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago event is scheduled for two days, from June 16-17, 2023.

How much are the tickets for SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago?

Ticket prices for SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago vary depending on the type of ticket and the seating location. The City Cruises Official On-Water Premium experience starts at $250. You can visit the event page for more information on ticket prices.

Can I bring my own food and drinks to SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago?

Outside food and drinks are not allowed at SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago, however, your City Cruises On-Water Premium ticket includes a multi-course canapés lunch menu and premium open bar.

What is the dress code for SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago?

There is no specific dress code for SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago. However, it is recommended to dress comfortably and wear comfortable shoes.

Are there any age restrictions for attending SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago?

No, there are no age restrictions for attending SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago, but children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Guests must be ages 21+ to enjoy the premium open bar with City Cruises.

Will there be parking available at SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago?

Yes, there will be parking available at Navy Pier, but it is recommended to use public transportation or ride share due to high demand parking and limited availability.

How much are the City Cruises Chicago tickets for SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago?

City Cruises Chicago offers SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago tickets for various seating options and prices. You can visit the City Experiences website for more information on ticket prices.

What are the best views for SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago?

The best views for SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago are from the water. As the official On-Water Premium, City Cruises Chicago offers exclusive front-row seats with excellent views of the competition.

What is the City Cruises Chicago cruise experience during SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago?

The City Cruises Chicago SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix cruise offers a unique perspective of the competition from the water as the official On-Water Premium access point. You can enjoy food and an open bar while watching the world’s top sailors compete in high-speed F50 catamarans.

Where can I watch SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago if I'm not on a boat?

If you’re not on a boat, you can watch SailGP United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago from designated areas on Navy Pier or from other spots along the shore of Lake Michigan. You can also tune in to the live broadcast on television or online.

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Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago

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Sail Grand Prix debuts in Chicago off Lake Michigan's fresh waters

ABC7 Meteorologist Greg Dutra is live from Navy Pier

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix debuts at Chicago's Navy Pier this weekend.

Sailing Lake Michigan, it's the first time the global racing championship has competed on freshwater.

RELATED: Sail Grand Prix makes Chicago debut on Lake Michigan

The weekend promises to deliver spectacular racing action as the sport's best athletes compete on 50-foot hydro-foiling race boats that fly over water while sailing at 60+ mph speeds.

The national teams from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland will join the American home team on Lake Michigan.

Two-time SailGP champion Tom Slingsby and the Australian team currently lead the standings after a Season 3 opening victory in Bermuda last month, but Spithill and the American team are hungry for their first win, especially in front of the home crowd.

Tickets are still available for purchase to enjoy a fantastic weekend of racing.

The Navy Pier Race Village opens at noon on Saturday and Sunday, with racing at 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

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Mar. 7, 2022 | Save 15% on early-bird tickets now through March 31

Tickets Now on Sale for United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago 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 – March 7, 2022  – Tickets for the United States Sail Grand Prix Chicago launched today with a  15% early-bird discount  to experience adrenaline-filled waterfront racing with the sport’s top athletes at Chicago’s Navy Pier, June 18-19, 2022.

SailGP  is one of the fastest emerging properties in world sports featuring exciting up-close action as teams race identical F50 catamarans – highly-technical, hydrofoiling race boats that boast closing speeds in excess of 120 mph – in an annual global championship held in some of the most iconic cities around the world. In addition to debuting in Chicago for the first time, the event marks the first time the championship has ever competed on fresh water.

Navy Pier  has partnered with SailGP to serve as the central race village for two days of spectator-focused racing that will take place on Lake Michigan directly in front of the Chicago skyline.

Guests can enjoy a fantastic weekend of racing with ticket options that appeal to every spectator experience. Packages include tiered viewing areas, on-shore and on-water VIP hospitality, live commentary and entertainment, plus access to the cutting-edge, wing-sailed race boats and rare opportunities to interact with SailGP athletes.

Led by Jimmy Spithill’s United States SailGP Team, the Season 3 SailGP line-up features 10 national teams comprising the best athletes in the sport from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and Switzerland.

Are you ready for an exhilarating experience at one of the most iconic waterfront racecourses in the world?  CLICK HERE  to take advantage of the 15% early-bird discount and reserve your spot today.

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

Out-of-town fans planning to travel to the event should visit  flychicago.com  for more information on Chicago O’Hare and Midway International Airports, which offer flights from more than 240 destinations worldwide.

To download SailGP images for media use, click  here .

For more information on the full Season 3 calendar as well as the U.S. SailGP Team visit   SailGP.com  or follow the team on   Facebook ,   Instagram , and   Twitter .

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 US$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 //

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

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

Navy Pier // Nick Pullia | 847-662-0011 |  [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 .

US Sail GP Chicago: Live stream, TV schedule, how to watch sailing grand prix for free

• Published: Jun. 18, 2022, 12:03 p.m.

How to watch this weekend's coverage. (Ricardo Pinto/SailGP via AP) AP

• Nick O'Malley | [email protected]

It’s SailGP in the windy city as we get set for the United States Sail Grand Prix in Chicago , Illinois. This weekend’s sailing action will take place at the famed Navy Pier on Lake Michigan. Nine national teams will helm F50 catamarans as they race through the circuit that’s been dubbed “Chicago’s Skyline Stadium” over two days this weekend. Jimmy Spithill returns as the skipper of the United States team, which currently sits in sixth place in the Season 3 standings. Tom Slingsby and Team Australia currently hold the top spot. Fans can also watch TV coverage via CBS Sports Network and stream via Paramont+ and fuboTV , which has a free trial.

How to watch the 2022 U.S. Sailing Grand Prix Chicago

What time does coverage start? Where can I watch it on TV? - Race Day 1 coverage is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. EST and run until 4:30 p.m. EST. Coverage will air on TV via CBS Sports Network .

Race Day 2 on Sunday is also set to start at 3 p.m. EST and will also air on TV via CBS Sports Network.

Live stream : CBS | Sling | fuboTV | Paramont+ - If you have a cable subscription, you may be able to stream online via CBS using the login credentials from your TV provider. If you don’t have cable, you can sign up for fuboTV (free trial), Sling or Paramount+ (free trial) to watch online.

More sailing coverage via the Associated Press

SYDNEY (AP) — Sydney Harbour is set to host SailGP racing for the next three years, including the ninth event of the international series’ third season in February 2023.

SailGP said Friday that the Australian Sail Grand Prix would be held from Feb. 18-19. An estimated 20,000 people turned out to watch Tom Slingsby’s Australia SailGP team win its home event in December 2021.

Slingsby, the team’s driver and chief executive, said it was good to get the race locked in for the next three years “on the most beautiful harbor in the world.”

“We’ve been sort of living on a year-by-year, fingers-crossed basis,” Slingsby said. “So to secure our future in Sydney is unbelievable for us. We should have great wind, great weather that time of year and it’d been great to win on home soil again.”

There are 10 teams competing in Season 3, including new franchises Canada and Switzerland and returning teams Australia, Denmark, France, Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States.

In the opening race of the season in Bermuda in May, Slingsby hit the starting line in the podium race in control and sailed ahead of Britain’s Ben Ainslie and Canada’s Phil Robertson for an easy win, reaching 42 mph (68 kph) as his 50-foot catamaran.

The victory came just six weeks after the Aussies’ dominating win in the $1 million, winner-take-all grand final of the pandemic-delayed Season 2 on San Francisco Bay. Team Australia also won the $1 million top prize in 2019, the inaugural season of tech tycoon Larry Ellison’s global league.

Slingsby, an Olympic gold medalist and former America’s Cup champion, has won four straight SailGP regattas and six of the last seven.

The next race in the SailGP series is this weekend in Chicago.

Remaining 2022-23 schedule after Chicago:

July 30-31: Plymouth, England

Aug. 19-20: Copenhagen, Denmark

Sept. 10-11: Saint-Tropez, France

Sept. 24-25: Cádiz, Spain

Nov. 12-13: Dubai

Jan. 14-15: Singapore

Feb. 18-19: Sydney

March 18-19: Christchurch, New Zealand

May 6-7: San Francisco (and season 3 grand final)

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Levitating sailboat race returns to Chicago in June: ‘Not your grandfather’s sailing’

Sailgp kicks off its second year in the water off navy pier on father’s day weekend, racing 50-foot catamarans that reach highway speeds..

A SailGP boat races near Navy Pier on June 18, 2022. The race returns to Chicago on Father’s Day weekend this year, with nine boats from different countries competing.

Bob Martin for SailGP

A high-speed race is coming to Chicago’s downtown lakefront in the next few weeks, but it’s not NASCAR’s Street Race .

This one is happening on Lake Michigan.

SailGP, short for Sail Grand Prix, kicks off its second year in the water by Navy Pier on Father’s Day weekend, racing 50-foot catamarans that appear to float above water.

They’re not levitating — just balancing on a below-boat foil, like an airplane wing, that reduces drag and allows them to reach 60 mph.

“This is not your grandfather’s sailing,” said Tod Reynolds, event director for SailGP in Chicago.

Nine boats, each representing a different country, will zoom across the lake from the pier to the Adler Planetarium in SailGP’s fourth season opener June 16 and 17. The race is officially called the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix.

Julie Giese, president of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, and Cooper Dressler of SailGP’s USA Team, exchange helmets at a news conference at Navy Pier. NASCAR is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

SailGP publicized the race at a press event with NASCAR officials Wednesday at Navy Pier, challenging racers from each franchise to try each other’s sport.

Julie Giese, president of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, exchanged racing helmets with SailGP USA team member Cooper Dressler.

Giese called the NASCAR race, set for July 1-2 around Grant Park, NASCAR’s “boldest initiative” in its 75-year history.

• NASCAR to close southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive 6 days, other major streets
• NASCAR to use mufflers in Chicago, keep lakefront accessible

Dressler said the high speeds of the SailGP-style boats can be dangerous for crew members, but that there are extensive safety training and measures to account for that: safety knives, tethers and oxygen bottles in case crew members get stuck under wreckage.

The Chicago race is unique to sailboaters because it’s the only freshwater course in SailGP’s international circuit. The boats can go quicker in fresh water because there’s less drag than in salt water. But freshwater is also less buoyant, so the boats must reach higher speeds to rise up on their foils.

SailGP’s season 4 calendar

Chicago’s weather is less predictable than in ocean-side races. Last year, racers had to move farther out onto the lake because the lake breeze wasn’t reaching the shores.

“Chicago is very unpredictable — which makes it actually really interesting,” Dressler said.

• Summertime festivals and special events offer fun for all ages

Reynolds said the race weekend was moved a day earlier on the weekend, over Friday and Saturday, so it wouldn’t interfere with Father’s Day, as it had during the Chicago race last year.

The race was also pushed later into the afternoon, starting at 4 p.m., when winds are expected to be stronger along the shore, he said.

A SailGP boat races near Navy Pier on June 18, 2022. The race returns to Chicago over Father’s Day weekend this year.

Jon Buckle for SailGP

SailGP’s Chicago race map