America’s Cup heads to Naples

The America's Cup is heading to Italy. After many rumours, Cup defenders and organisers Team New Zealand confirmed on 15 May that Naples will host the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in 2027. This will be the first time the America's Cup has been sailed in Italy, though Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has been one of the most committed and ever-present challengers in the modern America’s Cup.

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The opportunity to host the event will not only reward the team and its loyal supporters with a home event, but potentially also gift a rare ‘home advantage’ to a Challenger who has not earned the right to host through winning the event.

“Italians are the most passionate and engaged America's Cup audience and obviously it is the home of Luna Rossa who are such an amazing team and strong competitor. So, from the Defender’s position 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,” commented Team New Zealand's Grant Dalton.

He added: “There is a raw spirit and absolute pride in Italy that seems so appropriate to have the next America’s Cup here. By bringing the America's Cup to this country, it feels like we are bringing it to the people.”

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli’s track record in the America’s Cup is highly distinguished: they made it to the final of the 37th Louis Vuitton Challenger Series (eventually defeated by INEOS Britannia), and previously were winners of the Challenger series to face New Zealand in the Cup match in 2021 for AC36. The Italians were also - potentially ominously for the Defenders - winners of both the Women's America's Cup and Youth America's Cup in Barcelona last summer.

Commodore David Blakey of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron confirmed that both of those events will be returning for AC38, saying: “Italy promises to be a spectacular setting for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, as well as the Youth and Women's regattas”.