- SailGP Season 4 event in Andalucía - Cádiz in October 2023 boosted the local economy by $100.9 million (€95.6 million), a 77% increase compared to Season 3's event, according to a report from Deloitte
- Nearly 100,000 fans attended the Sail Grand Prix, with the average spend per person 16% higher than the previous event
SailGP's Spain Sail Grand Prix in Andalucía - Cádiz, which took place on October 14-15, 2023, and was attended by more than 98,000 fans, was one of the most popular events of the year in the Andalusian locality, as well as breaking records for the highest economic impact in SailGP's Season 4 calendar.
According to a Deloitte report, the impact of the event on the city was $100.9 million (€93.7 million*), a 77% increase compared to the 2022 event which generated $56.9 million (around €58.3 million) for the local economy. Sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and restaurants all benefited from the SailGP event taking place in the area.
The record breaking event in Andalucía - Cádiz has been one of SailGP’s most successful events of the Season 4 calendar, with record crowds and revenue generated.
The exhilarating event, which took place in beautiful sunny weather and perfect sailing conditions, saw the United States take first place while the home team, Spain, secured sixth.
Antonio Alquézar, CEO of the Spain SailGP Team, said: “The Spain Sail Grand Prix in Cádiz is undoubtedly one of the most significant events of the SailGP calendar as demonstrated by the report with record revenue and crowds at the event. During the week of the event, the Andalusian city became an international showcase for fans of sailing and live sport. Teams and fans of the competition eagerly await the arrival of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Cádiz each year and in 2025 it will be no different.”
Bruno García, The Mayor of Cádiz, said: "These figures reinforce the effort and commitment of the City Council of Cádiz and highlights the value of the Cádiz Sail Grand Prix to the SailGP calendar".
Almudena Martínez del Junco, president of the Provincial Council of Cádiz, said: "When we witnessed the event, we quickly realized it was a sporting and organizational achievement and a brilliant initiative that generates excitement as well as income and promotion for the province of Cádiz as a destination. The influx of attendees at the event, as well as the global audience, the benefits for local companies and professionals, the SailGP Inspire Program and the sustainability of the event itself are values that we all appreciate. The province of Cádiz is up to the task".
Teófila Martínez, President of the Port Authority of the Bay of Cádiz, said: “The staging of the SailGP event has helped boost and raise awareness of of the Port of the Bay of Cádiz on an international scale which can only be positive for the area and our sector.”
Arturo Bernal, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports of the Andalusian Government, said: “The results and performance of the event and the impact on the local area has solidified our reasoning for bidding to stage this event and we are grateful for SailGP allowing us to host such a prestigious sporting spectacle.”
Higher average spending per person and more national and international tourists
One of the key insights provided by the report, is the increased average spending per person by attendees at the event, which saw a 16% boost compared to the event in 2022.
Approximately 98,000 locals and tourists from Cadiz were able to enjoy the SailGP spectacle. Cadiz locals made up 40% of total attendees which was 6% lower than the previous season - primarily because the event took place during the Hispanic Heritage weekend.
National and international tourists made up 60% of the fans in attendance, which was a 6% increase on the 2022 event.
The Spain Sail Grand Prix in Andalucía-Cádiz was broadcast last year in a total of 212 markets worldwide, making it the most-watched sailing event in the United States, surpassing others such as Formula 1 or the NBA, with a dedicated TV audience of 15.4m and 783 hours of dedicated TV broadcast.
The cleanest Sail Grand Prix
During the event, and following a pilot test in 2022, Repsol supplied renewable fuel to all support vessels of the SailGP fleet, achieving savings of around 23,000 kg of CO2, thus reducing the total Scope 1 carbon footprint of the event (direct emissions produced by owned or controlled sources) by up to 45% compared to the previous season.
Deployment of activities around the event
Beyond the competition itself, the Spanish SailGP team participated in various activities with young sailors and local schools as part of the Foiling Base Cádiz project, driven by the Spanish team and SailGP Inspire – the league’s community and youth outreach programme. Diego Botin and Florian Trittel led sessions and served as coaches and mentors for the young sailors who could be the future of sailing.
On the Thursday before the event began, as part of the closing ceremony of the South International Series Festival, the documentary SailGP Los Gallos despegan premiered, featuring the Spanish SailGP Team.
Additionally, the City Council of Cádiz prepared a full program of events for the occasion, between Friday, October 13 and Sunday, October 15: activities for children in San Antonio square; the opening of the exhibition Vanguardias años 60. Artistas españoles para Rafael Alberti. París 1966 at the ECCO; music concerts in San Juan de Dios square and San Antonio square; guided tours of various iconic places in the city, among many other activities. This programming was essential for the joint success - once again - of the Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía-Cádiz.
