SailGP: Has Sassnitz been included in the plans yet? If not, it’s about time!

Fancy experiencing some thrilling XL sailing action in a German sailing area? Sassnitz is following suit last year’s acclaimed SailGP debut This summer, too, the Rockwool Germany Sail Grand Prix will make this possible. For the second year running, the ‘Formula 1 of sailing’ is coming to Rügen to stage its races just like Sydney, New York or Rio de Janeiro on the Baltic Sea, right in front of the main stands on the shore and on the famous harbour pier.

Rockwool Germany SailGP: tickets are running out

More than 13,000 spectators celebrated the German leg of the world tour over the weekend in August 2025. This year, it is expected that around 1,000 more seats will be made available in the stands. Experience has shown that the league remains flexible in response to demand right up until the last minute. Tickets for Saturday are currently sold out.

Tickets for the grandstand at the race stadium are still available for Sunday, starting at 98 euros. Tickets for children aged five and over and young people up to the age of 17 cost 59 euros. There is a substantial discount for families with two adults and two children. It was not yet clear whether there would be any further special offers on weekend tickets for the Rockwool Germany Sail Grand Prix.

Of course, the thousands of tickets already sold aren’t all you need to enjoy the SailGP weekend. Sailors in particular who want to set sail for Rügen in their own boats should take action now. The “BYOB” ticket function via SailGP isn’t active yet. It’s due to be launched in August. Either way, however, interested boat owners and crew who want to be there in person with their boat will need to book a berth.

​SailGP in Sassnitz: from traditional sailing ships to racing catamarans

Anyone wishing to moor at the Event Centre in Sassnitz City Harbour, which was voted number one this year in the customer satisfaction category, based on over 95,000 customer reviews, so it’s best to book your berth very soon. “If you’re quick, you still have a chance,” says Danco Lewin from Sassnitz City Harbour, who is responsible for sports tourism and event marketing for Rügen and Vorpommern. Click here for the Sassnitz City Harbour, the marina and the harbour master’s contact details.

Unlike last year, the long-established Sail Sassnitz This year, it begins a weekend before the SailGP Summit on 14 August and then concludes with the SailGP Final on 23 August. This brings plenty of sailing-related action to Sassnitz for local sailing fans, those hoping to become fans, and all other summer visitors alike. “Traditional sailing ships will be there on both weekends,” says Danco Lewin.

Accommodation in Sassnitz (offering around 4,000 guest beds) has increased quite dramatically compared with last year, but is nevertheless almost fully booked. In a few cases, the Sassnitz Tourist Information Centre or offer help or advice. Heading to the neighbouring town of Binz, which is well-equipped for tourists (with a total of almost 20,000 guest beds), is also an option. The two towns, which are about thirteen and a half kilometres apart as the crow flies, are 15 to 20 minutes’ drive from each other and are also connected by public transport.

​SailGP in Sassnitz: from traditional sailing ships to high-speed foiling boats

Anyone who is already on site in the weeks leading up to the event will benefit from a further improvement introduced by the people of Sassnitz following their experience with the SailGP launch: As the construction of the grandstands for the race weekend had made access to the pier – and therefore also to the lighthouse – difficult, a harbour shuttle is now operating from Tuesday to Thursday as part of an initial trial, which takes visitors from the fishing harbour (near the cutter fishermen) to the final third of the pier, from where they can walk to the lighthouse.

Anyone travelling to SailGP by train can reach the harbour via the harbour railway or, for those with reduced mobility, via the pedestrian bridge. If you can’t do without your car, bear in mind that Sassnitz will be closed to traffic between 10 am and 3 pm on both days of the SailGP event. Access will then only be possible with a special permit.

Here’s a tip: either arrive at your car park before the restricted hours begin and don’t leave until afterwards, or head to the Park & Ride car park at Mukran Ferry Terminal, for example, and take the shuttle from there to the event site at Sassnitz City Harbour. There’s plenty to experience there even for visitors who weren’t able to get SailGP tickets. “The harbour will once again have public areas this year where spectators without tickets can also enjoy the atmosphere,” says Danco Lewin.

​ZDF is coming to SailGP on Rügen with the Mainzelmännchen and a large team

The most eye-catching attraction in the family-friendly entertainment programme is the Ferris wheel, which could well offer some truly special views of the SailGP fleet. In the harbour, where there are plenty of stalls run by local businesses, children’s activities and other entertainment on offer, guests of all ages might also bump into one of the two ‘lively’ Mainzelmännchen mascots, who are there to promote ZDF’s strong involvement in the event.

ZDF is on site with its own stand and a team of around ten presenters, reporters and technical staff. The SailGP races will be broadcast live on TV (rather than via streaming, as is usually the case). Amelie Stiefvatter, presenter Kristin Recke (with co-commentator Felix van den Hövel) and reporter Nils Kaben are on assignment in Sassnitz with their ZDF team.

One of many great tips from the locals for anyone heading to Sassnitz for the SailGP on the Baltic Sea coast: If you fancy some smoked salmon or a fresh fish sandwich whilst you’re there, you’ll find the “MS Friederike – The Floating Fish Snack Bar” on the outer pier. That’s not the only place where you can find “Made in Sassnitz” delicacies.

A LOOK BACK! Here’s the first report on last year’s Sassnitz SailGP – complete with all the spine-tingling moments: