EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND AND CHALLENGERS COME TOGETHER UNDER NEW AMERICA’S CUP PARTNERSHIP IN NAPLES
Emirates Team New Zealand joined the Challengers, partners and stakeholders in Naples this week as the America’s Cup Partnership (ACP) was formally initiated and the dates of the America’s Cup Match were announced at the official teams’ presentation for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup.
Held in the grand surroundings of the Palazzo Reale, the occasion marked an important step on the “Road to Naples” as a recognition of teams coming together in partnership to shape the future of the America’s Cup.
The presentation also confirmed key milestones ahead, including the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Match, which will begin with two opening races on Saturday 10 July 2027 and conclude over the weekend of 17–18 July 2027 in Naples.
Representatives from the five teams currently entered—Emirates Team New Zealand, GB1, Luna Rossa, Tudor Team Alinghi, and K-Challenge—were formally presented, alongside the confirmation of Louis Vuitton’s renewed commitment as Title Partner of the 38th America’s Cup.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei welcoming the members of the America's Cup Partnership.
For Emirates Team New Zealand, the moment was underpinned by a powerful cultural welcome led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, who recognised the creation of the ACP and welcomed all teams to the America’s Cup Partnership before presenting pounamu taonga to the founding team members on stage. These taonga represent strength, the heritage of the America’s Cup, respect for all teams that have gone before and a connection to an exciting future.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei presenting a pounamu taonga to the founding members of the America's Cup Partnership.
On a global stage, the ceremony reflected how Indigenous culture and leadership can sit proudly within elite international sport, while creating space to engage respectfully with local cultures as manuhiri in Italy and Naples.
Speaking in Naples, Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said the formation of the Partnership represents a significant step forward for the event: “We are immensely grateful to the government of Italy for making the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup the most anticipated in its 175-year history. Hosting the event in Italy is an honour and we are acutely aware of what is to come in terms of the passion and colour that the Italian fans will display. The Partnership is a watershed for the America’s Cup that shares governance and the event’s future direction and development and having Louis Vuitton announce their continued commitment to the America’s Cup is a testament to the new direction. It’s absolutely vital to the long-term but, in the near-term, the ACP will guarantee some of the closest racing and a contest unparalleled, and we look forward to racing on Race Day 1 of the America’s Cup Match on July 10th 2027 here in Naples.”
As preparations continue, the America’s Cup Partnership provides a platform for strong competition on the water, while supporting the evolution of the event off it. For Emirates Team New Zealand, the focus remains on building towards Naples with the shared goal of delivering world-class racing and the next chapter in the America’s Cup’s long history.