America’s Cup: organisers confirm 2024 dates and race area

With two years left until the 37th America’s Cup takes place in Barcelona, organisers have confirmed further details of the event format, including the agreed race area and 2024 dates.

The racing area for both the Challenger Selection Series and the America’s Cup Match itself has now been agreed with Barcelona’s Capitán Marítimo. Both are set to the south of the city along Barcelona’s beachfront, meaning spectators can line up along the coastline to view the action.

There will be a permanent exclusion zone for the duration of the racing, designed to ensure safety for competitors and the daily armada of spectator boats trying to get an up-close look at the AC75s and AC40s.

Those watching onshore could — depending on conditions — see the action taking place just a few hundred metres off the beach at times.

Also confirmed is the date for the Women’s America’s Cup Regatta Final, which takes place straight after Race 5 on Wednesday 16 October 2024.

Racing in the America’s Cup Match itself, which will be a best-of-13 (first to seven) format, will commence on Saturday 12 October, with two races scheduled, followed by a further two races on Sunday 13 October 2024.

Racing will then pause for two days, however at the discretion of the Regatta Director and after consultation with both the Defender and the Challenger, and depending on conditions, both of these days could be used to complete two races a day.

The schedule as it stands, without the use of the Monday or Tuesday, would recommence on Wednesday 16 October 2024 for one race (race 5) in the Match followed by the Women’s America’s Cup Regatta Final.

Thursday 17 October is officially not scheduled for racing but could be allocated for two further races depending on conditions. Friday 18 October 2024 is officially marked as a ‘Spare Day’ for up to two more races. Two races per day are also scheduled for Saturday 19 October and Sunday 20 October 2024, if required.

Racing should be concluded over the weekend of 19-20 October 2024. However the schedule does allow for racing to continue into the following week, from the 21 October 2024 through to the 27 October 2024, on reserve days if required.

“We are excited to confirm the dates determining the match racing period,” says Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Events. “This is a significant event to plan for, with safety concerns at the top of the list for both spectators and competitors. I think the result is going to be something pretty spectacular, with racing taking place in front of the beach, along the coast from the main port entrance right along the coast, past the Port Olímpic and out further east, offering a fantastic viewing opportunity for the public to see these remarkable boats at full pace.”

Barcelona was announced as the host of AC37 in March, after a long and controversial selection process. The Spanish city will become the first venue in the world to host both an Olympic Games and an America’s Cup event. 

Preparations are now well underway in the battle for the Auld Mug. Defender Emirates Team New Zealand recently suffered damage to the bow of its AC40 after an early start testing on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf in some top-end conditions.

Late In August 2022, Alinghi Red Bull Racing capsized its AC75 Boat Zero after its first sail in Barcelona. The AC75 Boat Zero was hit by a violent rain squall, which developed over the city of Barcelona.