Tomorrow, the eyes of marine sports enthusiasts around the world will turn towards the Red Sea coast, where the opening round of the E1 World Powerboat Championship will kick off in its new 2026 season. Saudi Arabia is hosting this global event for the third time in a row, reflecting international confidence in the Kingdom's organizational capabilities and its advanced infrastructure in the field of marine sports.
This event is organized by the Saudi Arabian Maritime Sports and Diving Federation, in close cooperation with the International Powerboating Federation, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports, and in strategic partnership with the Public Investment Fund, in a step that confirms the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting the sports sector as part of the objectives of Vision 2030.
Future technologies in the Red Sea
This championship is unique as the only global series dedicated to fully electric powerboats, where all teams compete using standardized RaceBird boats. These boats are engineering marvels that combine high performance with environmental sustainability, utilizing foiling technology to reduce friction and increase efficiency, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 93 km/h (50 knots) with a 150 kW motor.
The goal of these technologies is not limited to sports competition, but extends to include a noble environmental message aimed at protecting water bodies and reducing carbon emissions, which is in line with the Kingdom’s directions in adopting environmentally friendly technologies in all sectors.
Stars and celebrities clash in Jeddah
The Jeddah Race, held off the Corniche on January 23 and 24, will witness fierce competition among 10 teams, a significant increase from last season's eight. The event is gaining immense media attention thanks to the team owners, who represent a host of sports and entertainment legends from around the world. The list includes teams owned by stars such as tennis legend Rafael Nadal, American football star Tom Brady, cricketer Virat Kohli, actor Will Smith, singer Marc Anthony, and football icon Didier Drogba.
Leading the pack is Team Al-Ula, owned by basketball star LeBron James. Named after the historic Saudi city and sporting the green colors of the Saudi flag, the team enters its second season with high ambitions, relying on the experience of Canadian driver Rusty White and Spanish driver Naria Marti, aiming for top positions and to delight Saudi fans.
A global roadmap that begins in the Kingdom
The Jeddah leg is the first stop on a global calendar comprising eight legs that will traverse the world's continents. After the competitions conclude in the Red Sea, the championship will move to stunning tourist destinations including Lake Como in Italy, the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, and the Principality of Monaco, before landing in the African continent in the Nigerian city of Lagos, then on to Miami in the United States, before concluding the competitions in the Bahamas.
Jeddah’s continued hosting of the opening of this global tournament reinforces its position as a leading sports and tourism destination, and confirms the Kingdom’s success in attracting major events that combine sporting excitement with environmental awareness.
