Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron have announced Italy will host the next America’s Cup. The 38th America’s Cup will be held in Naples, Italy in the spring and summer of 2027The 38th America\u2019s Cup is heading to Italy: this morning, Thursday 15 May 2025 defenders Team New Zealand announced today that Naples will host the Louis Vuitton 38th America\u2019s Cup in the spring and summer of 2027.
\nThis is the first time the America\u2019s Cup has headed to Italy, though Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli\u00a0has been one of the most committed and ever-present challengers in the modern America\u2019s Cup.
\nThe opportunity to host the event will not only reward the team backers and its loyal supporters with a home event, but potentially also gift a rare \u2018home advantage\u2019 to a Challenger who has not earned the right to host through winning the event.
\nAmerica\u2019s Cup Defender Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said Naples was chosen after a \u2018very efficient venue selection process\u2019. It was well known that previous Cup host cities Barcelona and Valencia in Spain, as well as Team New Zealand\u2019s home port of Auckland, were not able to financially support hosting the event for AC38.
\nThe selection of Italy as the venue for the next America\u2019s Cup will likely do little to quell the anger from some quarters in New Zealand \u2013 who have only seen the Cup contested on home soil on one occasion in the last three wins by the Kiwis \u2013 but it will, however, be a relief for the wider sailing community who had feared the event could may go to the highest bidder and end up being contested in an unsuitable venue.
\n\u201cI couldn\u2019t be more excited to announce Naples, Italy as the Host Venue of the Louis Vuitton 38th America\u2019s Cup. There is a raw spirit and absolute pride in Italy that seems so appropriate to have the next America\u2019s Cup here,\u201d said Dalton.
\n\u201cBy bringing the Louis Vuitton 38th America\u2019s Cup to this country, it feels like we are bringing it to the people, in our ambition to continually grow the audience of the America\u2019s Cup and sport of sailing.
\n\u201cItalians are the most passionate and engaged America\u2019s Cup audience and obviously it is the home of Luna Rossa who are such an amazing team and strong competitor. So, from the Defender\u2019s position it certainly feels like we are entering the lion\u2019s den competitively, but from an event perspective it feels like the perfect venue to host the Louis Vuitton 38th America\u2019s Cup.\u201d
\nThe iconic Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli branding has been a key presence in recent America\u2019s Cups.
\nItaly in America\u2019s Cup
\nLuna Rossa Prada Pirelli\u2019s track record in the America\u2019s Cup is highly distinguished: they made it to the final of the 37th Louis Vuitton Challenger Series (eventually defeated by INEOS Britannia), but were winners of the 2021 Challenger series to face New Zealand in the Cup match in Auckland for AC36.
\nThey were also \u2013 rather ominously for the Defenders \u2013 winners of both the Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup and Youth America\u2019s Cup in Barcelona last summer.
\nCommodore David Blakey of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron confirmed that both events will be returning for AC 38, saying: \u201cItaly promises to be a spectacular setting for the Louis Vuitton 38th America\u2019s Cup, as well as the Youth and Women\u2019s regattas\u201d.<\/p>\n
Italy won both the Puig Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup and Youth America\u2019s Cup events in 2024.<\/p>\n
Sir Ben Ainslie, team principal of Athena Racing, the Challenger of Record for the 38th America\u2019s Cup, welcomed the announcement, saying: \u201cThe venue announcement is always a milestone moment for the America\u2019s Cup, and Naples is a fantastic choice\u2014one of the most celebrated and historic cities in Europe, now set to host the world\u2019s oldest and most prestigious international sporting trophy.
\n\u201cItaly\u2019s huge sailing fanbase will create a spectacular atmosphere for the millions of visiting fans, while the drama of America\u2019s Cup racing against the backdrop of the Bay of Naples promises to deliver a world-class broadcast product.
\n\u201cNaples offers not only an excellent sailing arena but also an exceptional platform for commercial partnerships, and is well positioned to deliver an America\u2019s Cup that excels both on and off the water.\u201d<\/p>\n
Naples redevelopment for the Cup
\nNaples has previously hosted two America\u2019s Cup World Series events in 2012 and 2013. Reporting from the 2012 event for Yachting World, Matthew Sheahan described the location: \u201cThe venue here in Naples is superb, both for spectators and sailors. Open to the sea, the westerly breeze is clean and the sailing area free from obstructions.\u201d
\nThe racing area for the America\u2019s Cup will be in the Gulf of Naples, between Castel dell\u2019Ovo and Posillipo.
\nThe city bid also hinges on a plan to use the America\u2019s Cup as a means to modernise the city\u2019s infrastructure. Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth for Italy, added: \u201cHosting the America\u2019s Cup in Naples also represents a strategic opportunity to accelerate the environmental rehabilitation and urban regeneration program of Bagnoli, the area that will host the teams\u2019 bases.
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Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron have announced Italy will host the next America’s Cup. The 38th America’s Cup will be held in Naples, Italy in the spring and summer of 2027The 38th America\u2019s Cup is … <\/p>\n