SailGP Launches Global Betting with DraftKings, Bet365

SailGP, the global high-speed sailing league co-founded by Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts, has launched sports betting partnerships with DraftKings in the U.S. and Bet365 internationally to increase fan engagement and expand its audience. Starting with the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 7-8, bettors can wager on various race outcomes, including race winners, event champions, and season standings, supported by real-time data and odds generated through a strategic integration with Abelson Sports and an in-house odds portal. SailGP leverages over 270,000 data points per second and low-latency broadcasts to offer a dynamic live betting experience, reflecting the tight competition among its 12 international teams racing 50-foot F50 foiling catamarans. The league has seen significant growth in revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, and media rights, with a record 25,000 attendees at the New Zealand Grand Prix and a global TV audience peak of 21.1 million during the Australia Grand Prix. Officials emphasize that the sport's fast pace, communal spectator experience, and unpredictable race outcomes naturally complement the betting market, providing fans with compelling reasons to engage more deeply with the competition. This betting initiative represents a strategic move to convert global viewership of 193 million into active participation and sustained interest in SailGP events.