Naples, you have been magnificent. As the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta draws to a close, we simply want to say “grazie” to the City of Naples and to everyone who has helped make this an unforgettable first taste of what is to come in 2027 when the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup takes centre stage.
Marzio Perrelli, CEO of the America’s Cup Partnership made a significant announcement, confirming the dates of the regattas in 2027, saying: “The Louis Vuitton Cup will start on the 22nd May 2027 with an opening weekend of AC75 fleet racing. Then the action switches to one-on-one Match Racing with the final to be concluded by the 4th July 2027 and the selection of the Challenger to face the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand.”
Mr Perrelli further added: “The Women’s America’s Cup will be held from the 5th July 2027 to the 9th July 2027 inclusive and the previously announced Youth America’s Cup will run from the 2-6 June 2027. The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Match is set to begin on the 10th July 2027 and will run to a conclusion at the latest, depending on scoreline, by the 19th July 2027.”Looking back at what has been an extraordinary regatta on every level, from the moment the teams and shore crews arrived, Naples embraced the America’s Cup with an energy, warmth and passion that could be felt throughout the city. Tens of thousands of spectators lined the Lungomare Caracciolo and packed the Race Village at Rotonda Diaz, as well as high in the hills and all along the waterfront, creating an atmosphere worthy of one of the great sporting cities of the world.
On the water, the Bay of Naples delivered a spectacular and demanding arena. Thousands of vessels registered to watch the on-water action as nine AC40s, representing the senior and Women & Youth crews, produced incredibly close fleet racing against one of the most recognisable backdrops in world sport – Vesuvius, Capri and the extraordinary sweep of the Neapolitan coastline. The racing was spectacular. It was close, and in a sport where famously ‘There is no Second’ – Luna Rossa delighted the home fans with a stunning win in the final.
Off the water, the city delivered too at every touchpoint. Our sincere thanks go to the City of Naples, the Regione Campania, Sport e Salute, the local authorities, emergency services, Coast Guard, police, volunteers and the countless people working behind the scenes who made an event of this scale possible.
Thank you also to the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn for providing such an extraordinary home for the international media, and to everyone involved in creating the Race Village and transforming the Lungomare into a celebration of sailing, sport, life and Naples itself.
Most importantly, thank you to the people of Naples. You came in extraordinary numbers. You cheered the sailors as they flew by with battle songs blaring, you cheered every move, you filled the waterfront and gave the America’s Cup the kind of passionate welcome that only Naples can provide. And this is only the beginning.
Across the Bay of Naples, out to the western end at Bagnoli, the breathtaking transformation is already happening at remarkable speed. The team bases are rising, infrastructure is being installed and the future home of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup is becoming a reality before our eyes.
This Preliminary Regatta has given the world its first glimpse of what Naples and the America’s Cup can create together. In 2027, we come back for the big one. The ‘Road to Naples’ is already full of possibility. The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup is going to be special – very special.
Grazie Napoli. Ci vediamo nel 2027.
