The Grand Final combines high-speed racing, festival-style music, and unforgettable entertainment
Abu Dhabi is no stranger to world-class sporting spectacles, but on November 29-30, Mina Zayed will host something truly unique: a championship finale where nothing is decided until the final seconds.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix 2025 Season Grand Final, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, is the climax of a globe-spanning season where the top three teams from the overall standings face off in a single, winner-takes-all race for the SailGP trophy and USD $2 million – the largest prize in sailing.
For fans, every tactical decision, gust of wind, and manoeuvre on the F50 catamarans, which exceed 100 km/h, could rewrite the season.
And when the champion is crowned, one person is tasked with turning that adrenaline into celebration: Mark Wright.
From reality TV to race day, the Essex-born TV personality and Heart Radio presenter has built a career on creating moments.
From The Only Way Is Essex to finishing runner-up on I’m a Celebrity, hosting British TV shows, and now the Saturday Breakfast show with Olly Murs, Wright knows how to connect with a crowd.
For SailGP’s Après-Sail celebration, presented by Mastercard, he’s bringing those skills to the decks.
“That kind of finale gives you goosebumps, doesn’t it?” Wright says. “My approach is to catch the wave of adrenaline the crowd’s already riding and turn it into a proper celebration.
“Feel-good anthems, no slow burn and tempo lifts and drops that mirror the drama they’ve just seen.”
His philosophy is global, euphoric, and festival-like. “I know SailGP pulls crowds from around the world, so I will definitely be spinning some global anthems,” he explains.
“Celebration vibes, house and classic dance anthems, and euphoric singalongs. I love closing with an iconic belter to send people home grinning.”
Earlier this year, Wright experienced the full Sixth Sailor programme with Emirates GBR, getting a firsthand taste of racing aboard an F50.
“Calling the F50 ride ‘one of the best experiences of my life’ wasn’t hype, it genuinely floored me,” he reflects.
“The most intense bit was the acceleration snap and how you’ve got to have the ultimate trust in the crew and the boat; one second you’re calm, the next you’re flying.”
Wright draws parallels between elite sailing and performing. “It’s all about routines under pressure. Brief, execute, adapt,” he says.
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“That’s exactly how I prep a major set: pre-plan the spine, know my ‘plays,’ then stay reactive to the room.”
Four teams are still mathematically in contention for the three-boat Grand Final: Emirates GBR, New Zealand’s Black Foils, Australia’s BONDS Flying Roos, and Spain’s Los Gallos.
After six fleet races across the weekend, only the top three from the overall season leaderboard will advance – meaning every race carries enormous weight.
Wright’s Abu Dhabi appearance also comes during a transformative chapter in his life. In March 2025, he and actress Michelle Keegan welcomed their daughter, Palma Elizabeth Wright.
“Having a kid definitely changes your perspective on life,” he admits. “I’m still all-in on the job, but every travel decision is weighed against spending time with my girls. We make a family trip of it wherever possible.”
The entertainment lineup for the Grand Final is stellar. On Saturday, Wright’s Heart Radio co-host Olly Murs headlines the Après-Sail celebration, and Wright closes the season on Sunday.
“Sport gives you jeopardy, tension, release; music turns that release into a shared celebration,” Wright explains. “The show becomes a community moment: familiar voices, massive tunes, and the story of the day all wrapped up.”
Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed venue will be transformed into a vibrant Race Stadium, featuring waterfront views, premium hospitality, interactive fan experiences, and official merchandise.
For those seeking the full festival atmosphere, the stadium offers food, drinks, F50 wheel simulators, and plenty of space to soak up the drama and entertainment.
The winner-takes-all format ensures edge-of-your-seat excitement until the final moment. “I know the audience has just lived something extreme, they’ll be ready for any bold moves I make,” Wright says, his F50 experience clearly informing his approach to the set.
As Wright puts it: “I love closing with an iconic belter to send people home grinning.” After a season of racing and a thrilling finale, Abu Dhabi will be ready for exactly that.
AED270. 29-30 November, Mina Port, Abu Dhabi. For further information, visit sailgp.com
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