Dubai is off too: six major eFoil races cancelled this year
The Dubai International eFoil Festival on 14 and 15 November has been cancelled, the last race still on this year's calendar. That makes six major eFoil races cancelled or postponed this year, including three World Cup stops.
Which races didn’t go ahead
The eFoil Racing League calendar listed eight SFT World Cup stops this year. Three of them didn’t go ahead. Three standalone races were also dropped: in Cannes, in Montauk and now in Dubai.
| Race | Location | Planned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SFT World Cup Sicily | Palermo, Italy | 30 Apr - 2 May | Moved to 2027 |
| SFT World Cup Shanghai | Shanghai, China | 20 - 24 May | Moved to 2027 |
| Efoil Côte d'Azur | Cannes, France | 29 - 30 May | Postponed, date unknown |
| Montauk | New York, USA | June | Postponed, date unknown |
| SFT World Cup Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi, UAE | 20 - 25 Oct | Moved to 2027 (called off in January) |
| Dubai International eFoil Festival | Dubai, UAE | 14 - 15 Nov | Cancelled |
Why?
That’s the most striking question, and only one cancellation comes with an official answer. Dubai cites the instability in the Middle East. It’s not alone: other sports events in the Gulf region have been moved this year too. World Triathlon postponed its Abu Dhabi race in March, and the 24 Hours of Dubai won’t take place in 2027.
Behind the scenes, something else is at play: almost all the pros are heading to the Miami Foil GP of the Foil Racing League that weekend, on 15 November at Miami Marine Stadium. With 10,000 dollars in prize money, it’s a big draw. That leaves little of Dubai’s field.
The SFT World Cup in Abu Dhabi was already called off in January, without explanation. No reason is known for Palermo, Shanghai, Cannes and Montauk either. The races are spread across three continents; there’s no common cause.
Last year the world title was decided in Abu Dhabi. This year the season was already over by mid-September.
Menton became the final
So the title was decided on 12 and 13 September in Menton, on the French Riviera. The course ran so close to the beach that spectators saw the riders pass at full speed. Manel Arpa won the race and the world title there after a season-long duel with defending champion Justin Chait. In the women’s division, Agnes Wicander became world champion.
For the Netherlands it was a good finish. Laura Jil Kurmann finished second in the world ranking, and Piet Varkevisser came second in the Masters in Menton. With fourteen women on the start line, the women’s field was one of the largest the tour has had so far.
Women's world title
- Agnes Wicander (SWE)
- Laura Jil Kurmann (NED)
- Julia Castro (ESP)
Men's world title
- Manel Arpa (ESP)
- Justin Chait (USA)
- Clemens Kresser (AUT)
What is still on
With the Dubai festival cancelled, there are no major races left on this year’s eFoil Racing League calendar. The Miami Foil GP does go ahead on 15 November, with classes for pros, men, women and youth, plus an Enduro.
For 2027, Palermo, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi have already been announced. Want to watch or take part closer to home? The Belgian championship in Waasmunster and the Belgian Grand Prix in Brussels did go ahead this year, as did the first German World Cup in Munich, with free entry. You don’t have to be a pro: there are also Challenger, Masters and youth classes.
Do you know more about why races were cancelled, or do you want to take part in 2027? Let us know in the community.
Sources
- eFoil Racing League, 2026 calendar
- SFT, Menton results
- SFT, news (2025 final in Abu Dhabi)
- SFT, Munich World Cup
- 220 Triathlon, WTCS Abu Dhabi postponed
- Foil Racing League, Miami Foil GP
- Speedweek, 24h Dubai 2027 cancelled
Source: eFoil Racing League