Abu Dhabi, UAE - January 4, 2024 - SailGP and global music superstars Take That have today announced a special Saturday race day performance as part of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council. The Back For Good trio will come to the UAE and perform a packed set of hits for fans upon the conclusion of SailGP’s high-speed racing at Mina Zayed on January 13, 2024.
As one of the fastest growing sport and entertainment properties in the world, Take That’s appearance in Abu Dhabi is a historic moment for SailGP – as it will be the first time the global league has combined its high-speed racing action with live music entertainment to create a truly memorable fan experience. Already the most exciting racing on water, SailGP’s reputation for heart-stopping entertainment will now continue after the sporting action has finished, as Take That brings its world-renowned energy to the SailGP Race Stadium on day one immediately following the racing.
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen return to the UAE as the most successful act of their era, with huge hits like Shine, Relight My Fire and Rule The World. Take That released their ninth studio album ‘This Life’ less than a month ago.
Tickets for Take That’s performance at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council are on sale now at SailGP.com/AbuDhabi. Both the Waterfront Grandstand and Premier Waterfront Grandstand tickets include access to the special Take That performance upon the conclusion of the opening day of racing on January 13, 2024.
Andrew Thompson, Managing Director at SailGP, said: “This is another extremely exciting announcement as SailGP prepares for the first ever Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council. We cannot wait to arrive in Abu Dhabi for the first time to entertain and engage with new fans and families in particular, from all across the world. From the adrenaline-fuelled racing to a host of not-to-be-missed activations to global music stars, Abu Dhabi is going to be a truly memorable weekend for everyone on-site.”
Further music acts and entertainment across the race weekend, including the final day on January 14, will be announced shortly. For all the details and to get tickets, visit SailGP.com/AbuDhabi.
ABOUT TAKE THAT // Formed as a five-piece in 1989, Take That enjoyed immediate success with their first two albums charting at Number 2 and Number 1 respectively. Third album Nobody Else confirmed their global domination, selling over six million copies and topping the charts in 11 countries. The departure of band member Robbie Williams prompted a break-up in 1996 and nine years in the wilderness before the remaining four members reunited for 2005’s The Ultimate Tour. This sparked one of the greatest comebacks in British music history with Take That going on to release three Number 1 albums in just four years. Robbie’s return for 2011’s Progress saw them break UK records for the fastest-selling album of the 21st century and fastest-selling tour of all time. Williams’ second departure, along with that of Jason Orange, left the remaining three members to release III and 2017’s Wonderland, which were certified platinum and gold respectively.
The band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the release of Odyssey in 2018, a greatest hits album of beautifully re-imagined versions of some of the biggest tracks from their three-decade-spanning career. The album entered the charts at Number 1 and was closely followed by a critically acclaimed UK and European stadium and arena tour in 2019.
Take That’s new album This Life, went to Number 1 on the Official Charts as the biggest selling album from a UK artist in 2023, outselling the rest of the Top 25 combined.
ABOUT SAILGP // SailGP is the world’s most exciting racing on water. The global championship features national teams battling in short, intense races at iconic stadium-style venues across the globe. The high-tech, high-speed action features sailing’s best athletes racing in identical hydrofoiling F50 catamarans, flying at speeds approaching 100 km/h. SailGP also races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. Visit SailGP.com for more information.
CONTACT // Sacha Kemp | Communications Director | skemp@sailgp.com | UK: +44 7772 577129