Athena Racing

Sector
Consumer
Fund
Origin Fund II
Year
2025
Location
UK
Status
Current

Athena Racing is the world-class sailing franchise founded and led by Sir Ben Ainslie.

Oakley’s investment follows the creation of the landmark America’s Cup Partnership (the “Partnership”) which will govern the America’s Cup. The Partnership is expected to enhance the commercial appeal and investability of the world’s most prestigious high-performance sailing competition. 

Oakley played a central role in shaping this new framework, under which the five founding teams, including Athena, will sit in an equal partnership position.

The America’s Cup combines heritage with advanced technology, elite sport, and strong commercial appeal. 

First contested with a race around the Isle of Wight in 1851, the Cup is widely recognised as the oldest international trophy in world sport, predating the modern Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. 

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The new Partnership marks a major step forward, pairing the Cup’s legacy with a more modern and commercially focused structure. It gives all teams board representation, establishes neutral, professional management to drive audience and revenue growth, introduces cost-control measures to create a more competitive field, and sets a stable biennial calendar to support long-term investment, positioning the Cup as a leading, global sports property.

Our Investment

Oakley’s investment in Athena reflects its strong belief in the enduring appeal and growth potential of premium sports properties. The new partnership enables Athena to pursue a multi-cycle strategy across future America’s Cup contests, with longer-term sponsorship deals, R&D investment, and talent acquisition. Oakley will support Athena Racing by accelerating commercial partnerships, expanding brand visibility, and scaling operations. 

Quote

Previously a Defender-led, winner-takes-all format, the Cup now moves into a unified chapter that gives every team a seat at the table and a shared focus on commercial growth and continued technical innovation. With Oakley’s backing and expertise, and by drawing on the next generation of sailors with our Athena Pathway programme, Athena is well-positioned to help grow the Cup into one of the world’s most iconic and commercially successful sporting properties.

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