Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has become the latest high-profile athlete to invest in the E1 Series, a global electric boat racing championship backed by Saudi Arabia. The announcement on April 2, 2026, adds Courtois to a growing list of sports stars involved in team ownership.
Courtois, 33, is co-founder of the sports investment platform NXT Play Capital and will partner with Sierra Racing, a team affiliated with Sierra. The E1 Series, which features high-speed electric boats, is set to race across four continents, including locations like Lake Como in Italy, Monaco, Luanda in Angola, Miami and the Bahamas, according to Al Jazeera.
Other notable athlete owners in the series include tennis legend Rafael Nadal, NBA superstar LeBron James, seven-time NFL champion Tom Brady, and actor Will Smith. Emirates Today reports that Courtois’ investment reflects the growing interest in electric motorsports and sustainable racing initiatives.
“Sierra Racing represents exactly what NXT Play looks for in sports assets – a team with a strong identity, technical ambition, and real potential to become a prominent name in the championship,” Courtois said in a statement. The E1 Series aims to revolutionize water sports with its innovative electric technology and global racing schedule, attracting a diverse range of investors and fans. Asharq Al-Awsat also covered the news.
