Rome is preparing to welcome one of the most spectacular and innovative sporting events on the international stage. On September 11 and 12, 2027, the international sailing championship SailGP will stop in Ostia, turning the “sea of Rome” into the setting for high-speed races featuring the futuristic F50 catamarans.
The official announcement was made today at the Ara Pacis Museum, where the event was presented. Taking part in the presentation and speaking on stage were SailGP CEO and co-founder Sir Russell Coutts, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Lazio Region President Francesco Rocca, Rome’s Councillor for Major Events Alessandro Onorato, Lazio Region Councillor for Land Protection, State Property and Assets Fabrizio Ghera, and members of the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team: Chairman Gian Luca Passi, Board Director Assia Grazioli Venier, Team CEO Jimmy Spithill, along with a delegation of athletes.
The Rome event will be the first Italian stage of a three-year partnership that will place Ostia at the center of the global sailing circuit until 2029, with the aim of relaunching the Roman coastline also from a tourism, economic and infrastructure perspective.
During the press conference, Russell Coutts explained why Rome is an ideal host city for the circuit: “The capital is a city with a unique appeal, able to combine unparalleled history and cultural heritage with a vision oriented toward innovation. It is precisely this balance between tradition and modernity that makes it an ideal venue for our championship.”
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, speaking to ilNewyorkese on the sidelines of the presentation, emphasized the strategic value of the event for the future of Rome’s seaside area:
“For three years, Rome will be the capital of sailing. The sea of Rome will enter an extraordinary circuit, and this fits into the broader relaunch of our coastline. We are very pleased with the choice of Rome because it will be a major event and, above all, another opportunity to enhance our wonderful sea.”
Gualtieri also highlighted the institutional collaboration with the Lazio Region: “This is work we are carrying out together, as often happens between institutions that have a duty to cooperate positively in the interest of the area. On the sea of Rome, we are also working on the new Parco del Mare: another piece of a strategy that finally aims to restore value to an extraordinary coastline.”
The mayor also underlined the visual impact of the event: “The catamarans exceed 100 kilometers per hour, and the races can be watched from very close up. From both a sporting and visual point of view, it will be a unique event.”
There was also great enthusiasm from Gian Luca Passi, who spoke to ilNewyorkese about the importance of SailGP’s arrival in Italy:
“We are very proud to have reached this first milestone and to have received incredible support from the institutions, from Roma Capitale and from the Lazio Region. With the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, we want to inspire new generations and show that today sailing can be chosen as a real profession, just like football, tennis or golf.”
Passi added: “Bringing SailGP to Italy will open up many opportunities. Ostia will host the race on September 11 and 12 next year, while Rome is doing extraordinary work on hospitality and tourist reception. For an international league like ours, this is essential.”
During the press conference, Councillor Alessandro Onorato instead highlighted the economic and media impact of the event, explaining that the competition could generate more than 25 million euros in related economic activity, with an international audience that, according to the circuit’s estimates, will come 68 percent from abroad.
Onorato also announced redevelopment works worth more than 10 million euros for Ostia, with projects that will remain as a benefit for residents even after the event. Legacy projects and initiatives dedicated to families and local associations are also planned.
The goal of the institutions is clear: to use major sports events as a driver of urban, tourism and social regeneration. Gualtieri himself, again speaking to ilNewyorkese, reiterated how strongly Rome is investing in sport at every level: “Major sporting events have extraordinary economic and image-related impacts. From the Ryder Cup to the Italian Open tennis tournament and now SailGP, Rome wants to be increasingly recognized as a capital of sport, without forgetting grassroots sport and the redevelopment of the city’s sports facilities.”
With the F50 catamarans ready to race along the Roman coast, Ostia is now preparing to become one of the new world capitals of sailing.
