2026 E1 Season Starts in Jeddah: Sierra Racing and Team Monaco Join the Grid

Jeddah opener and calendar logistics at a glance

The 2026 E1 Electric Speedboat Championship opened in Jeddah with the season expanded to nine race weekends, a change that alters logistics for teams, broadcasters and host ports. Doha dropped from the itinerary while a new October stop in the Bahamas and a September venue yet to be confirmed increase long-haul transport needs. The Italian leg moves from Lago Maggiore to Lake Como, shortening inland transport for European crews but adding different marina berthing and local permissions for foiling operations.

Teams on the 2026 grid

The series continues to use the one-design RaceBird hydrofoiling boats. Ten teams now contest the championship, with one ownership change and one new entrant reshaping competitive and logistical profiles:

• Team Brady — owned by Tom Brady
• Team Rafa — owned by Rafael Nadal
• Team Blue Rising — owned by Virat Kohli
• Team AlUla — championed by LeBron James
• Team Drogba — owned by Didier Drogba
• Team Miami — owned by Marc Anthony
• Sierra Racing Team — majority-owned by Sierra Enterprises (replacing Team Brazil)
• Team Monaco — new full-season entry for the principality
• Team Aoki — continuing presence in the field
• Former Team Brazil — previously run by Marcel Claure, opted out for 2026

Pilot swaps and roster notes

Pilot line-ups affect pit operations and crew rotations; several transfers took place ahead of Jeddah:

• Ieva Millere-Hagin moved from Team Brazil to Team Drogba.
• Timmy Hansen switched to Team Miami; Erik Stark moved to Sierra Racing.
• Catie Munnings transferred from Team AlUla to Sierra Racing.
• Oban Duncan (19) joined Team Monaco; Maxime Nocher pairs with her there.
• Nerea Martí joins Team AlUla; Patricia Pita Gago is a new recruit for Team Miami.
• Sara Misir moved from Team Blue Rising to Team Aoki, reciprocated by Mashael AlObaidan.

Format, points and race-day procedures

E1 SERIES: RULES

The championship runs over nine weekends with each event staged across two days. Friday typically hosts qualifying time trials, while Saturday includes group races, a Race Off, the Place Race and two Finals so both female and male co-pilots contribute to team results.

Additional points are awarded for the three fastest qualifiers (3/2/1) and one bonus point for the fastest lap of the weekend. Qualifying consists of four stages with progressive knockouts to set Saturday pole positions.

Operational impact on host ports and tourism

Hosting an E1 weekend requires close coordination with local authorities for marine safety zones, temporary marina allocations, spectator pontoons and hospitality platforms. For destination managers the series offers an immediate tourism uplift: overnight stays, waterfront dining, excursion bookings and beachside activations surge during race weekends. Event organisers must plan for passenger flows, freight clearances for containerised paddocks and timely customs clearance for batteries and spare boat parts.

How travelers can experience E1 weekends

Tourists and race fans usually combine the on-water spectacle with local excursions—yacht parties, museum visits, and curated coastal tours. For those who have a mind to catch the racing and enjoy the region, pre-booking shore excursions and secure transport between race venues and hotels is strongly recommended to avoid last-minute surprises.

Practical tips for visiting an E1 venue

• Book marina-side hotels early; race weekends tend to sell out.
• Confirm local transfer logistics—some ports use shuttle boats to spectator pontoons.
• Respect protected coastal habitats; many events include eco-initiatives focused on marine restoration.

At a glance, Jeddah’s opener set the tone for a season that blends high-performance sport with sustainable tech promotion and destination activations.

The E1 schedule and the new team dynamics make race weekends ideal travel experiences for fans who enjoy high-energy events and curated local programs. On GetExperience, you book your experience from verified providers at reasonable prices with secure payments and voucher confirmation issued afterward; you can also submit requests for tailored tours or excursions and receive offers that best match your preferences. This transparency and convenience help avoid unnecessary expenses or disappointments—Book now GetExperience.com

In summary: the 2026 E1 season begins with significant calendar and roster changes that affect logistics, spectator services and local tourism. New stops in the Bahamas and an expanded nine-weekend format increase freight and customs complexity while Lake Como returns as the Italian host. Teams such as Sierra Racing and Team Monaco reshape the competitive map, and pilot transfers influence team operations. These events create rich travel experiences and adventure activities—ideal for combining race weekends with yacht parties, cruise packages, safari tours, museum tours with live guides, interactive online cultural workshops or even luxury adventure travel experiences. Whether you prefer beginner esports coaching sessions, professional esports training programs, online virtual tours, adventure rafting trips for beginners, eco-friendly wildlife safaris, or exclusive yacht charters for events, nothing replaces seeing it first-hand. Book your trip sensibly and enjoy the season’s spectacle.