Sassnitz is planning a mega event: Sail GP returns in 2026 and 2027!

Sassnitz is planning a mega event: Sail GP returns in 2026 and 2027!

Preparations for the next Sail GP in Sassnitz are in full swing. As NDR reports, city representatives looked into the issue on Tuesday evening and signed a declaration of intent between the city, the state government and the German organizers to repeat the event in 2026 and 2027. These events promise not only offshore action, but also significant revenue for the city. Financing of 150,000 euros per year is planned for the Sail GP, which still requires the approval of the city council. In terms of revenue, the city could benefit from parking fees and the sale of promotional items, for example.

But it's not just the Sail GP that keeps the city moving. With regard to the infrastructure, a rethink has also been initiated in Sassnitz: the city administration is planning to reorganize the rental agreements for garages. This means that all existing contracts will be terminated at the end of the year and the current contract holders will be offered a basic rent of 120 euros. Such measures are intended to help secure financial resources for large-scale events such as the Sail GP.

Traffic situation and possible traffic jams

Looking at the traffic conditions, the question arises: How will the flow of visitors be managed? The B196, the only connection to the seaside resorts in the southeast of Rügen, is regularly plagued by traffic jams that can last for several hours. Experts warn of a mega traffic jam that blocked the island for ten hours following a bus accident years ago. Despite previous efforts, e.g. B. through new roundabouts and increased bus services, the upcoming Sail GP will certainly create special challenges in road traffic. It remains to be seen whether better information and optimized public transport can help.

Official tickets and offers are already available for the Sail GP at Sassnitz Harbor. The event is accompanied by a festival mile and a stage program, which together with the Sail Sassnitz promise an unforgettable weekend. However, drivers should be warned: the access roads to Sassnitz will be closed to vehicle traffic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the event days.

The LNG terminal in Mukran

Another big issue in the region is the LNG terminal in Mukran. The plant was approved to operate without shore power until the end of the year, which met with a lot of criticism. People and organizations such as Deutsche Umwelthilfe are expressing concerns about the environmental impact of the project, as the operator Deutsche Regas is not implementing the shore power systems originally promised. This issue could also be included in the debate about the Sail GP, especially when the possible environmental impact is taken into account.

The AfD parliamentary group in Sassnitz has already demanded access to the emergency plans for the LNG terminal, especially in the event of an accident. The AZS group, on the other hand, is interested in the 21 million euros in state funding that will be used to build the terminal. The citizens' initiative “Livable Rügen” is also fueling distrust in the published measurement data from the Ministry of the Environment, while the operator offers noise protection measures, but complaints about noise pollution are not lacking.

Overall, developments in Sassnitz and the region show that exciting events are just around the corner. Whether the Sail GP will be a complete success depends not only on the approval, but also on the traffic situation and the environmental impact. One thing is certain: the city has a knack for hosting major events, but the challenges facing those in charge should not be underestimated.

You can find more information at: NDR, Baltic Sea newspaper, Mirror.