LAST weekend, Fremantle did not just host a global sporting event. We owned the moment.
SailGP Fremantle delivered something truly special. World class sport. Global broadcast reach.
Waterfront energy that could be felt from the Fishing Boat Harbour to the cappuccino strip.
And a city that showed the world exactly who we are when we back ourselves.
I have been to a lot of events. A lot. This one was my favourite ever.
• Photo by Gus Cullen
Not just because the racing was electric or because Fremantle looked breathtaking on screen.
‘But because SailGP is what smart destination investment looks like when it is done well.
Why this mattered. Big picture thinking.
SailGP is not a weekend cost. It is a long term play.
It delivered immediate economic impact across accommodation, hospitality, transport, suppliers and casual jobs.
Our hotels were at capacity, our restaurants were full and our small businesses were smiling.
That is the short game and it mattered.
But the real value sits in the long game.
SailGP positioned Fremantle as a confident, capable, global waterfront destination.
It showcased our natural amphitheatre, our wind, our harbour and our unmistakable port city personality to an international audience. That kind of exposure is earned, not bought, and it lingers long after the boats leave.
Events like this drive future visitation, future investment and future confidence.
They tell investors and visitors alike that Fremantle can host at scale, deliver with professionalism and do it with style.
A city that showed up.
What made me proudest was not just the event itself but how Fremantle showed up around it.
Our business community leaned in. Our locals embraced it.
There was energy on the streets, curiosity on the foreshore and that unmistakable Freo buzz that happens when the city is firing on all cylinders.
This is what happens when government, tourism, business and community pull in the same direction.
A very important thank you to all involved.
A huge thank you to Tourism WA, City of Fremantle and the WA state government for backing this opportunity and delivering a true destination marketing masterclass.
This was bold, strategic investment at its best and the returns will be felt for years to come.
The takeaway.
SailGP reminded us that Fremantle’s waterfront is not just beautiful. It is an economic asset.
When we invest boldly and thoughtfully in events that align with our identity and our strengths, the return is far bigger than a balance sheet line.
It is pride. It is profile. It is momentum.
Last weekend was a win for Western Australia, Perth and of course Fremantle.
And yes, I will say it again with a grin. My favourite event ever.
by CHRISSIE MAUS
CEO
Fremantle Chamber of Commerce