ع
The Saudi Press Agency reported that Jeddah is set to host the opening round of the third season of the UIM E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, on January 23 and 24. The event will take place off the Red Sea coast opposite the Jeddah Corniche and is organized by the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation in partnership with the Public Investment Fund and the Union Internationale Motonautique. The championship features RaceBird electric powerboats, with the Saudi Press Agency noting that the race underscores Saudi Arabia’s focus on modern sports alongside environmental sustainability.
The 2026 season includes eight international rounds, according to the Saudi Press Agency. After the Jeddah opener, the series moves to Lake Como in Italy, then Dubrovnik in Croatia and Monaco, followed by another European venue yet to be announced. Subsequent stops are scheduled for Lagos in Nigeria, Miami in the United States and the grand finale in the Bahamas.
Jeddah has hosted the E1 season opener for the third time, the E1 Series official website stated. The location provides flat water conditions that typically produce high-speed racing and offer an early indication of title contenders for the year. The series operates as a UIM-sanctioned competition that promotes electric marine technology.
The Saudi Press Agency indicated that the Jeddah event aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives to diversify the economy and develop sports tourism. Previous editions in the city have drawn international teams and spectators to the Red Sea shores. The Public Investment Fund has presented the championship, integrating it into broader efforts to position Saudi Arabia as a hub for global sporting events.
This season sees an increase to 10 competing teams from eight in prior years, a Saudi Press Agency dispatch on a related announcement noted. The expansion reflects growing interest in the all-electric format since the series launched its inaugural campaign. Organizers have emphasized the role of such events in advancing sustainable technologies in marine sports.
The E1 Series has built a calendar that spans multiple continents, building on its initial races that included Jeddah as the first host city in season one. Data from the series shows continued evolution in boat performance and competitive balance across the expanding field. Officials have not released specific team lineups for the Jeddah round in the announcement.
