Mercato's rules, or the athlete transfer system devised by SailGP: a major innovation!

(L-r) Kahena Kunze, strategist of Switzerland SailGP Team, Maelle Frascari, strategist of Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, Tom Slingsby, driver of BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team, Peter Burling, co-CEO and driver of New Zealand SailGP Team, Hannah Mills, strategist of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Giles Scott, driver of Canada NorthStar SailGP Team, Martine Grael, driver of Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, Erik Heil, driver of Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank, Sebastien Schneiter, driver of Switzerland SailGP Team, Diego Botin, driver of Spain SailGP Team, Manon Audinet, strategist of France SailGP Team, and Anna Weis, grinder and jib trimmer of USA SailGP Team, in front of the F50 fleet and the Geneva fountain ahead of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix held in Geneva, Switzerland Friday 19 September 2025. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 10 2025 Season. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP
© Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

_A new athlete transfer system unveiled ahead of the 2026 season, as a wave of changes within teams is already underway.
_A major step forward in the professionalization of the sport, with athletes now benefiting from long-term contracts.
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SailGP announces the implementation of its first-ever official athlete transfer framework, which will come into effect before the 2026 season.
In response to increased competition between teams to secure the services of the best athletes in our sport, this new system aims to professionalize and formalize the registration, transfer, and loan processes for athletes competing in the championship. This announcement marks a major turning point in ensuring fairer competition between teams, strengthening athlete development pathways, and promoting greater transparency within the league.

How the system works

Registration: Only registered athletes may participate in competitions. The registration and transfer window remains open throughout the season.
Transfers: Permanent transfers require the agreement of both teams involved as well as the athlete, and must be registered with SailGP.
Loans: Each team may only have two loaned athletes on their roster at any given time.
Emergency rules: Emergency registrations or loans may be made during events, only for medical reasons or exceptional personal reasons and when no replacement is available.
Approval and fees: All transfers and loans are subject to disclosed fees agreed upon by the teams and the League.

Approved by participating teams prior to launch, this system provides a clear structure governing the entry and movement of athletes within the Rolex SailGP Championship.
It allows teams to effectively manage their rosters from season to season, while permanent transfers and temporary loans will now be subject to review and require the agreement of both teams as well as the athlete involved.

Unlike the often rigid transfer systems seen in other major sports leagues, SailGP's new policy emphasizes flexibility and fairness over complexity. This structure introduces a level of professionalism and clarity that is still rare in the world of sailing, reflecting SailGP's desire to modernize athlete movements while preserving the collaborative spirit unique to its international format.

Andrew Thompson, CEO of SailGP, said:
"We are delighted to implement this new system, which reflects the professionalism seen in other world-class sports leagues, generating excitement and interest among fans, while maintaining the simplicity necessary for a growing championship. Multi-million dollar transfers or contract buyouts could become a real possibility in future SailGP seasons, especially as the 2026 transactions—both confirmed and speculated—already exceed those announced for 2025. “
He continues:
”This framework will give teams clearer boundaries and encourage them to develop and retain their young talent so they can perform at the highest level. The value of athlete contracts is increasing, so we felt it was essential to establish safeguards to protect both athletes and teams. Formalizing this process will transform sailing for years to come."

The co-CEO of the French team, Stephan Kandler, also welcomes this structural change for the championship: "With this system, SailGP is bringing sailing into the big league of sports organizations by providing a framework that truly values training and talent. This is a major step forward for teams like ours, which invest in the long term in the development of new athletes. This recognition of career paths and development is essential for building competitive and sustainable teams."

The initial registration window for athletes for the 2026 season is set to close seven days before the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix presented by KPMG (January 17–18, 2026) – and a wave of exciting changes within the teams is already underway.

Among the first moves, SailGP veteran and free agent Nathan Outteridge has been named skipper of the Artemis SailGP Team, joined by grinder Julius Hallstrom, who leaves ROCKWOOL Denmark. And this is just the beginning: several other high-profile appointments and transfers will be announced in the coming weeks and months, and fans can expect a dynamic reshaping of the league's competitive landscape.