French football icon Kylian Mbappé has announced his investment in the France SailGP Team through his company, Coalition Capital. Mbappé’s Inspired by KM (IBKM) foundation will become the team’s official charity partner.
“We are excited to be on board with this new adventure with the France SailGP Team, alongside Accor and other investors,” said Mbappé, who has a 123 million following on Instagram. “I'm also proud that IBKM has the opportunity to engage more young people around the world through this relationship.”
The IBKM foundation, which champions youth empowerment, will use the partnership to expand its global impact. “Through Inspired By KM, I want to reach out to young people around the world and give them the strength to believe in their dreams,” said Mbappé.
“With our ‘We Care for All’ program, we provide concrete support and hope to those who need it most. Together, we are building a future where every young person can write their own story and achieve excellence.”
Founded back in 2019 by Sir Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison, SailGP has grown into a well established high-performance sailing global racing series. The league now features 12 national teams competing in identical 50-foot foiling catamarans, racing at high speed around a close-to-shore stadium racecourse at iconic destinations around the world.
SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts welcomed Mbappé’s involvement, saying, “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Kylian Mbappé into our growing SailGP family of partners and investors. He’s undeniably one of the most influential athletes of our time and an inspiration to sports fans across the globe.”
The investment comes as the France SailGP Team transitions into full private ownership, led by a consortium of investors supporting French driver Quentin Delapierre – an Olympian and America’s Cup helmsman – along with a powerhouse crew of top French sailing talent.
The team is operated by K-Challenge, a sport-tech initiative bringing together some of France’s best sailing experts. Its co-CEOs, Bruno Dubois and Stephan Kandler, have been instrumental in the team’s evolution, alongside Accor, a key supporter of both SailGP and IBKM since 2024.
With new teams like Mubadala Brazil and Red Bull Italy joining the SailGP roster, and top-tier investors like Mbappé backing the France team, the championship is entering an exciting new phase of growth.
As the countdown to Saint-Tropez 2025 begins, one thing is certain – Mbappé’s entry into SailGP is a game-changer for the sport, blending world-class athleticism, high-performance sailing, and a mission to inspire future generations.
