Host city of 38th America’s Cup in 2027 confirmed as Naples
Organisers of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup have confirmed this morning (15 May 2025) that the Italian city of Naples will be the host venue for the competition in 2027.
The announcement was made public by the government of Italy in collaboration with Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
It marks the first time that both the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America’s Cup Match will be held in Italy, a nation with an extensive history of participation in the competition.
The news comes after a period of turmoil for the competition, following the shock news that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Britannia team will not compete in the 38th America’s Cup, after a ‘protracted negotiation’ with Athena Racing – the team of Ineos’ former skipper Sir Ben Ainslie. Days later, Swiss team Alinghi Red Bull Racing announced it is also terminating its America’s Cup campaign.
In March, Emirates New Zealand confirmed it had decided not to back the next America’s Cup being hosted in Auckland, stating they have other priorities amid a tough economic climate.
European sailing journalist Fabio Pozzo, writing in the Italian newspaper La Stampa in March, reported that Athens and Naples had been the most likely venues.
Scheduled to take place during the spring and summer of 2027, the event will be staged in the Bay of Naples, in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. The races will be held off the city’s waterfront, between Castel dell’Ovo and Posillipo, while team bases will be set up in the Bagnoli district. Naples has previously hosted America’s Cup World Series events in 2012 and 2013, where local organisers estimated over one million spectators attended across the week.
The Italian government has linked the event to broader objectives, including urban regeneration and economic development. According to Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, “The choice of Italy, and Naples in particular, as the venue of the 38th edition of the America’s Cup represents a tremendous opportunity for the entire country to enhance the value of its territory, to boost tourism and to promote sports.”
Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti adds: “We are proud to announce that the 38th America’s Cup will be held in Bagnoli, Naples. This prestigious sporting event marks a significant step in the revitalisation of an area that has long faced challenges and to whose development and growth we remain firmly committed.”
Naples Mayor and Government Special Commissioner for Bagnoli, Gaetano Manfredi, says: “Hosting the 38th America’s Cup in Naples represents an extraordinary international showcase for the beauty and history of our territory … The races will take place in the waters between Castel dell’Ovo and Posillipo, while the team bases will be established in Bagnoli … The America’s Cup will serve as a powerful accelerator for tourism, the maritime economy, local entrepreneurship and the development of new skills.”
Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton confirms that Naples was selected following a rapid venue selection process. “I couldn’t be more excited to announce Naples, Italy as the Host Venue of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup,” he says. “Italians are the most passionate and engaged America’s Cup audience, and obviously it is the home of Luna Rossa … it certainly feels like we are entering the lion’s den competitively, but from an event perspective it feels like the perfect venue to host the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup.”
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron expressed support for the decision. Commodore David Blakey comments:” Italy has long been one of Team New Zealand’s fiercest and most passionate rivals in the America’s Cup, and we are thrilled to see Naples, Italy named as the Host Venue for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Match. Naples promises to be a spectacular setting for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, as well as the youth and women’s regattas.”
Further planning details for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup will be released at a later date.
