Naples, Italy, is to host the next Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup to be held in the spring and summer of 2027.
Naples has played host to America’s Cup action in 2012 and 2013 in the lead up to the 34th America’s Cup, hosting two America’s Cup World Series events, however it will be the first time the Louis Vuitton Cup and Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Match will have been sailed in Italy.
Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth for Italy played a key role in the bid process says he is delighted.
“The choice of Italy, and Naples in particular, as 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,” he said.
“Our commitment will be also to promote initiatives, projects and measures for sea education and economy.”
There is a raw spirit and absolute pride in Italy.
Grant Dalton
And he said Naples will now see major investment; hosting the event there represents a strategic opportunity to accelerate the environmental rehabilitation and urban regeneration program of Bagnoli, the area that will host the teams’ bases.
“There is a raw spirit and absolute pride in Italy that seems so appropriate to have the next America’s Cup here,” said America’s Cup Defender Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton
“By bringing the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s 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’s Cup and sport of sailing.”
Hosting the America’s Cup is set to generate a substantial economic impact on Naples. The races will take place in the waters between Castel dell’Ovo and Posillipo and the team bases will be established in Bagnoli.
Officials say the event will be an accelerator for tourism, the maritime economy, local entrepreneurship, and the development of new skills and say environmental remediation and redevelopment in Bagnoli is already underway.
The announcement was made by the Government of Italy, in conjunction with Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
