Full Breakdown
SailGP Moves Closer to Full Private Ownership with Quantum Pacific Acquisition
4/9/2026, 8:39:12 PM
Acquisition of Los Gallos SailGP Team
On April 9, 2026, SailGP announced a significant step towards its goal of transitioning to a fully privately-owned league with the acquisition of the Los Gallos SailGP Team by Quantum Pacific, an investment group led by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. This acquisition marks the 12th of 13 teams to be sold off since the league's inception in 2019. The financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, but it is speculated to be in the vicinity of $60 million, similar to the recent acquisition of the Denmark SailGP team by Doug DeVos.
Background and Context
SailGP was established in 2018, aiming to create a global sports league centered around high-speed sailing competitions. Initially, the league owned all teams, with a vision to transition to private ownership within five years. The Los Gallos team, which has already achieved notable success by winning the season four championship, is now under the management of Quantum Pacific, which also holds stakes in various sports franchises, including Atletico Madrid and FC Famalicao.
Official Statements & Responses
Antoine Bonnier, CEO of Quantum Pacific (UK), expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Los Gallos into the Quantum Pacific family... SailGP, with its global audience and elite competitive format, is exactly the kind of high-growth sport platform we believe in.” SailGP Managing Director Andrew Thompson highlighted the acquisition as a "hugely significant milestone" for the league, emphasizing Spain's importance as a market characterized by a passionate fanbase and a strong sporting culture.
Current Season and Structure
The 2026 SailGP season features 13 teams competing in identical F50 catamarans across various global venues. The season commenced in January and includes events in locations such as Rio de Janeiro, Hamilton, and New York, culminating in a Grand Final. Each event consists of qualifying races, with substantial prize money totaling $12.8 million available throughout the season.
Criticism & Opposition
While the transition to private ownership has been largely viewed as a positive development for SailGP, some critics argue that the league's rapid commercialization may detract from its original mission of promoting sailing as a sport. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential influence of wealthy investors on team dynamics and competition integrity.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There is a noted discrepancy regarding the exact financial terms of the acquisition of the Los Gallos team, with no official figures released. Additionally, while the league has successfully transitioned most teams to private ownership, the New Zealand team remains the only one still owned by SailGP.
What's Next
Looking ahead, SailGP plans to continue expanding its global footprint, with the next event scheduled for April 11-12, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro. The league aims to finalize the sale of the remaining New Zealand team, completing its transition to a fully privately-owned structure.
