When Olly Murs steps onto the stage at the Mina Zayed waterfront on November 29, 2025, he won’t just be singing—he’ll be celebrating the climax of the world’s fastest sailing competition. The platinum-selling British pop star will headline the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand FinalSailGP Race Stadium, right after 12 national teams battle for the Rolex SailGP Championship trophy and a $2 million prize purse. It’s not just a race. It’s a festival. And the music? That’s the exclamation point.
When Sailing Meets Pop Stars
The SailGP league, headquartered in London, has spent five seasons redefining what a sailing event can be. No longer just wind, waves, and white sails. Now it’s bass-heavy beats, live radio broadcasts, and thousands of fans dancing between the boats. The decision to pair elite athletes with pop icons isn’t random—it’s calculated. In 2024, SailGP saw a 47% increase in social media engagement from audiences under 35, many of whom had never watched a race before. This year, they’re doubling down.
Olly Murs, whose real name is Oliver Stanley Murs, isn’t just a name on a poster. He’s a UK institution: 11 top-10 singles, four platinum albums, and a fanbase that spans generations. "I’m incredibly excited to perform in Abu Dhabi," he said in the official announcement. "Taking to the stage right after the world’s best athletes have raced for the championship will be so special. It’s also going to be such a laugh hosting Saturday Breakfast on Heart with Mark amongst it all. I can’t wait!" The line about hosting Heart’s Saturday Breakfast show isn’t throwaway—it’s real. On Sunday, Murs and Mark Wright, the radio presenter and TV personality, will co-host the live broadcast from the SailGP Race Stadium as part of the Après-Sail event.
The Racing: Speed, Foils, and High Stakes
While the music draws the crowd, the racing keeps them glued. The 12 national teams—Australia, Great Britain, France, USA, Japan, and others—are piloting identical 50-foot foiling catamarans that lift out of the water and hit 100+ km/h. These aren’t yachts. They’re rocket ships with sails. The SailGP Race Stadium at Mina Zayed was built specifically for this: a 1.5-kilometer racecourse flanked by grandstands, food stalls, and open-air viewing zones. No boat is faster. No race is more intense.
Since its launch in 2019, SailGP’s Grand Final has always been winner-takes-all. The team with the most points after 10 races doesn’t win—it’s the final race that decides everything. One mistake. One gust of wind. One perfect tack. And the $2 million vanishes into the hands of one nation. This year, the stakes feel higher. With the 2025 season already delivering nail-biting finishes in Sydney, San Francisco, and Copenhagen, the Abu Dhabi finale is shaping up as the most unpredictable yet.
Who’s Behind the Scenes
None of this happens without deep-pocketed backing. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the government body overseeing sports development in the emirate, is the presenting partner. Meanwhile, Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, holds the title sponsorship—hence the full event name: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix. Their involvement isn’t just about branding. It’s part of a broader strategy to position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for high-profile, hybrid entertainment-sports events.
The partnership with Heart is equally strategic. Mark Wright’s presence isn’t just about his voice—it’s about reach. Heart broadcasts to over 6 million listeners weekly across the UK. By having Murs and Wright co-host live from Abu Dhabi, SailGP is effectively exporting the event to British homes, turning a regional race into a national moment.
Tickets, Prices, and the Fan Experience
Tickets went on sale the moment the announcement dropped on October 23, 2025—and they haven’t slowed. As of November 16, 2025, all tiers remain available. The entry-level Waterfront Grandstand starts at Dh275 (about $75), offering unreserved but prime views of the action. For those wanting luxury, the Premium Lounge x Nobu by the Beach package starts at Dh1,083 ($295), with gourmet dining, dedicated seating, and front-row access to both the racing and performances.
There’s no VIP ticket that blocks the view. No exclusive zone that shuts out the crowd. SailGP’s philosophy here is inclusive spectacle: you don’t need to be a sailor to feel the adrenaline. You just need to show up.
What Comes Next
With just 13 days until race day, all eyes are on the final standings. Team Australia leads the points table, but Team USA and Team Great Britain are within striking distance. Whoever wins the final race will not only take the trophy—they’ll become the face of SailGP for the next year. And with Olly Murs’ voice echoing over the harbor that night, it’ll be a moment no one who was there will forget.
For fans, the real question isn’t who wins. It’s whether they’ll get tickets before they sell out. And whether they’ll dance as hard after the race as they did watching it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the SailGP racing format differ from traditional sailing?
Unlike traditional sailing, SailGP uses identical 50-foot foiling catamarans that lift above the water at speeds over 100 km/h, making races faster, more dramatic, and visually stunning. Points are accumulated over 10 races, but the Grand Final is winner-takes-all—only the final race determines the champion, creating a high-pressure, all-or-nothing finale.
Why is Olly Murs performing at a sailing event?
SailGP is deliberately blending elite sports with mainstream entertainment to attract younger, non-traditional audiences. Olly Murs, with his UK-wide popularity and media presence on Heart radio, helps bridge the gap between sports fans and pop culture—turning a race weekend into a festival that appeals to families, tourists, and music lovers alike.
What role does Mubadala play in the event?
Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, is the title sponsor, lending its name and financial backing to the event. This aligns with its broader strategy to elevate Abu Dhabi as a global destination for high-value, internationally televised events that combine sport, luxury, and innovation.
Can I still buy tickets for the event?
Yes, as of November 16, 2025, all ticket tiers—including the Waterfront Grandstand and Premium Lounge packages—are still available through the official SailGP website. No capacity limits have been announced, but prices start at Dh275, and premium packages are expected to sell quickly as the event approaches.
Why is this event being held in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi has become a key anchor for SailGP’s global calendar due to its world-class infrastructure, consistent wind conditions, and government support through the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. The Mina Zayed venue, once a commercial port, has been transformed into a spectator-friendly waterfront destination ideal for large-scale events.
What makes the Après-Sail event unique this year?
This year’s Après-Sail includes a live broadcast of Heart’s Saturday Breakfast show co-hosted by Olly Murs and Mark Wright—rarely do radio personalities host live from a global sports venue. It turns the Sunday after-party into a media event, extending the event’s reach far beyond the racecourse and into homes across the UK and beyond.
