Bidding Open for Series 14 and Beyond: Strategic Update and Calendar Evolution

As the Sailplane Grand Prix (SGP) continues to evolve, our management team is actively laying the groundwork for the future of the sport. While our current focus remains on delivering an exceptional Series 13, we are implementing several strategic shifts for Series 14 to elevate SGP's global footprint, improve the experience for our fans, and better support our host clubs.

Here is an update on our strategic vision, calendar adjustments, and the new bidding process for SGP Series 14.

New Bidding method for Organizing Clubs

We recognize that the bidding process requires significant effort from local gliding clubs. To monitor early interest and better support our partners, we are introducing two new resources:

• Dedicated Bidding Portal: We will launch a specific, centralized area where gliding clubs will be able to easily access all necessary bidding documents and guidelines.

• General Letter of Intent (LOI): To establish contact earlier in the process, we are introducing a simplified, reusable LOI for clubs interested in hosting an SGP event. This document will not require specific dates or Series links, only a target year. Because formal bids often arrive right at the deadline, these LOIs will help us gauge venue interest proactively and allow us to assist clubs in completing their formal proposals.

• There is no deadline anymore. Aeroclubs willing to host a FAI Sailplane Grand Prix event need to fill out the LOI, and get in touch with the SGP Team to enter talks and finalize a bid, for a specific year.

The Vision for Series 14: Evaluating the Calendar Format

To secure potential partners, investments, and broadcast partnerships required to grow the sport, we must package SGP in a format that the global media market understands. Major racing series operate on an annual calendar.

We are strongly evaluating a return to a single calendar-year format for future Series, consolidating the entire competition into 2028. A two-year cycle can challenge narrative momentum for fans, complicate the production of seasonal docuseries, and dilute the annual return on investment for title sponsors. Transitioning back to a single-year format may create a more concentrated, high-impact season.

Bidding Timeline and Schedule Adjustments

To protect our commercial leverage and maintain flexibility for potential global partners, we are adapting our bidding process.

Major investors often require input on the event calendar to align with their strategic business goals, which may include expanding into new regions such as the US, the Middle East, or Asia. By changing the formal bidding process, we ensure we do not lock into a timeline that could inadvertently block significant commercial opportunities.

Schedule for Series 14: While our goal is a professional 2028 annual calendar (Plan A), we must also prepare for our traditional volunteer-driven model (Plan B). If we fail to secure sponsors and partners, we will proceed with a two-year Series. We are pleased to announce the window for the Series 14 Final to be between July 2029 and December 2029. This ensures the competition remains strictly within a two-year period 2028-2029.

We look forward to working closely with our community of organizers, pilots, and fans as we build the next era of the Sailplane Grand Prix.