What a weekend!
The ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix (SailGP) brought the heat to an otherwise chilly and damp weekend in Downtown Halifax.
Thousands of people came out to watch the races - the Halifax Waterfront and surrounding rooftops were packed with spectators - to see Emirates Great Britain win the inaugural ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix.
And once the races were over, everyone headed up to Argyle Street to catch the free Argyle Street Shore Party concerts.
If you missed out on the action, here are a few photos to enjoy. You can also see some of the action by checking out SailGP on Facebook and Instagram.
Downtown Halifax is getting ready to host the most exciting racing on water - the first time ever in Canada - from June 1-2!
*UPDATE: Scroll down to see the official program of events
The excitement is building for the inaugural ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix (SailGP)!
Known as the most exciting racing on water, SailGP features the world’s best sailing athletes representing national teams from around the globe competing in high-speed, hydrofoiling F50s – capable of speeds of nearly 100 km/h – racing a stone's-throw away from the shoreline.
For the first time in the league’s history, Canadian fans will get to witness ten world-class teams competing on the Halifax Harbour, between George’s Island and the MacDonald Bridge, from June 1 - 2.
Fans will be cheering on home team Canada, driven by Phil Robertson, as they go head to head with 9 other national teams including Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.
Along with the opportunity to take in the racing action, there will be lots of other exciting activities happening all around Downtown Halifax for both the hard-core fans and those just checking out the sport for the first time.
For more information, visit Discover Halifax's "Everything You Need to Know About SailGP in Halifax".
Things to Know about SailGP Halifax
Here are a few updates about the SailGP Halifax event to keep in mind as we get closer to early June:
- The Halifax Waterfront will be the home of the SailGP Race Stadium and will serve as both the pre- and post-racing event hub. Thousands of participants and spectators will pass through this area during the timeframe of the event.
- On June 1 & 2, the Race Stadium will be open from 2:45 – 6:30 pm, with the Race Times taking place from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.
Official SailGP Weekend Schedule
- RACE DAY 1 | SATURDAY, JUNE 1: Race Times: 4:00-5:30 pm
- RACE DAY 2 | SUNDAY, JUNE 2: Race Times: 4:00-5:30 pm
- The races will take place between Georges Island and the MacDonald Bridge (see map below).
- Events will start around May 28 with practice racing in the harbour and other events taking place May 30 & 31. Both the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts will be optimal places to view the races, but you can also catch the races live on CTV Atlantic (CTV2), TSN, or SailGP's YouTube and Facebook. OR you can hop down to your favourite bar or restaurant and watch the races while enjoying a nice meal and some drinks (see below for places to watch the races)!
- Keep up to date with all the excitement by following SailGP on Instagram, Facebook, and X, follow Canada’s SailGP Team on Instagram. You can also download the SailGP app to get the latest updates and watch the broadcast live from wherever you are.
We will keep updating this page and sharing information as we get closer to the event. In the meantime, you can check out the FAQs for SailGP Halifax here.
SailGP Halifax Race Map
Argyle Street Shore Party
An incredible line up of FREE live entertainment will be staged each evening at the Argyle Street Shore Party - May 31 to June 2 from 6:30-10:00 pm.
Each evening will feature a schedule of local, marquee artists including Ria Mae, Neon Dreams, Adam Baldwin, Rankin MacInnis and the Broken Reeds.
Restaurant patios along Argyle Street will be open and the street is closed to vehicles.
The Shore Party is being produced by Halifax Partnership, Discover Halifax, HRM Events, Music Nova Scotia, DHBC, and Sail Nova Scotia. Shore Party sponsors include Atlantic Lotto, Maritime Broadcasting, Dobel Tequila, Labatt, NS Spirit Co, Red Bull, HRM, and Durty Nelly’s.
Where to Watch the Races
The Halifax Waterfront has some great place to watch the races - many of which are free and open to the public (see graphic below).
If you are looking to sit at a patio to see the races, here are a few restaurants along the Waterfront that will be open for viewing:
- The Bicycle Thief – Patio tables can be reserved
- Sea Smoke – Reservations can be made
- Salty’s – Walk-up only, no reservations
- Pickford & Black – Reservations can be made
- Stone’s Throw Patio – Reservations can be made
- The Halifax Beer Garden (BG) – Walk-ups only
- Salt Yard Social – Walk-ups only
- Daryâ – Specials, shortened a la carte menu
- Bar Sofia – Patio/restaurant parties Saturday and Sunday from 2pm until close. $10 cover. DJ, specials, shortened a la carte menu.
- Salt & Ash – Patio seating (viewing party) Saturday and Sunday 3:00-6:30pm. $75 per person minimum spend. Specials, shortened a la carte menu. Live music Thursday-Saturday.
- Peacock Wine Bar – Specials, shortened a la carte menu
- Café Lunette – Specials, shortened a la carte menu
- Drift – Specials, shortened a la carte menu
In addition to these restaurants, here are a few other experiences you may want to check out:
Ambassatours, Georges Island:
Watch the Halifax SailGP races from Georges Island. There are still tickets left for this one-of-a-kind viewing experience.
Garrison Brewing, 1149 Marginal Road, Halifax Seaport:
Showing the SailGP races on their screens and offering $22 Pitchers of Tall Ship.
Other "Can't Miss" Events Happening During SailGP
All Aboard at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic for The Boat School, Bluenose II and HMCS Oriole
In addition to the festival atmosphere and high-adrenaline action on the harbour, for people who want to connect with our nautical history, the Bluenose II and HMCS Oriole will be docked in front of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic all weekend.
Canada SailGP Team Outdoor Film Night / Friday, 31 May – Meet the Team
Join the Canada SailGP Team at Queen’s Marque on Friday, May 31 from 8:00 - 9:00 pm for premiere of the team’s Season 3 documentary. This is a chance to meet the team and learn about the hurdles the team has overcome to be the team they are today. Come early to save your seat and bring popcorn!
Foil4All
The Canada SailGP Team’s foiling pathway program, weCANfoil, is internationally renowned and will be hosting foiling demos and clinics in the lead up to the ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax. Those curious to try foiling can join a demo session, while more advanced sailors will be taking part in training clinics and the foiling coaches clinic. The Foil4All programme organized by weCANfoil will be based on the Halifax Waterfront.
Getting Around
Parking
As traffic will be heavier than usual in the week leading up to and during the SailGP event,Make your parking plan before you head out:
Downtown Halifax - note that the Salter Parking Lot on the Halifax Waterfront will be closed for SailGP.
Taking Transit
Bus routes are anticipated to run on schedule with ferry services suspended for the race periods – both ferries will be suspended from 2:00 - 6:30 on May 31, June 1 and 2 for this event.
Metro Transit will be providing additional express shuttles for ferry riders during the race periods to ensure people make their connections at Alderney and/or Woodside terminals. Express shuttles will run in rotation with pick up points at the Water St., Alderney and Woodside terminals. Any amendments or schedule revisions will be updated on the Metro Transit website @ Halifax Transit | Bus | Schedules | Routes | Ferries | Halifax – as well as on X -- @HFXtransit on X (twitter.com).
More information about public transportation can be found here.
For more information about SailGP and everything happening in Downtown Halifax, check out Discover Halifax's "Everything You Need to Know About SailGP in Halifax".