Bombay Sapphire has announced a new sponsorship deal with DJ Steve Aoki’s E1 racing team as part of the Bacardi-owned gin brand’s second year as official gin partner of the UIM E1 World Championship. The partnership will be showcased at the E1 Ibiza Showrun 2026, marking the first time the all-electric RaceBird boats will appear in the Balearic Islands.
The event forms part of Bombay Sapphire’s global "Step Into The Blue" brand platform. Two E1 RaceBirds will take to the water off Ibiza — one in Bombay Sapphire’s signature blue livery and one in a yet-to-be-revealed custom design.
"I’m incredibly excited to have Bombay Sapphire as our new global partner on E1 Aoki Racing Team, as they embody so much of what this sport means to me — pushing boundaries, blending innovation with creativity, and championing a future where technology and sustainability work hand in hand," said Steve Aoki, Aoki Racing Team owner. "I can’t think of a better place to kick off this partnership than Ibiza, a place that inspires me every time I’m there."
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READ THE STORYThe Ibiza showcase follows the E1 London Showrun 2025, which took place on the Thames last July to mark the inaugural year of the Bombay Sapphire-E1 partnership.
Several Spanish pilots will compete in the Balearic stop, including Dani Clos of Team Aoki, Tara Pacheco of Team Drogba Global Africa, Lucas Ordóñez of Angola Westbrook Racing, and Cris Lazzaraga of Team Rafa, backed by Rafael Nadal.
"Connection, innovation and a deep respect for nature’s awe-inspiring blues sit at the heart of the partnership between Bombay Sapphire and E1," said Natasha Curtin, global vice president of Bombay Sapphire. "This one-of-a-kind E1 Ibiza Showrun presented by Bombay Sapphire is a powerful expression of our global platform, Step Into The Blue."
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Jamie Copas, chief executive officer of E1, added: "Spain has one of the most passionate sporting cultures and has embraced E1 with extraordinary enthusiasm. Bringing the E1 Ibiza Showrun to these iconic shores in partnership with Bombay Sapphire is a moment of real pride."
The Ibiza event follows recent brand activity at Milan Design Week, where Bombay Sapphire staged an E1 exhibition, and the E1 Lake Como GP 2026 at Villa d’Este on April 24-25. The European Championship leg continues in Dubrovnik on June 13 and Monaco on July 18 before moving to Africa later in the season.
The UIM E1 World Championship is the world’s first all-electric raceboat series. Teams are owned by high-profile figures including LeBron James, Will Smith, Tom Brady, and Rafael Nadal.
