TAIHORO READY FOR AN EXCITING TEST AS AC75 FLEET RACING KICKS OFF THE LOUIS VUITTON 38th AMERICA’S CUP RACE SCHEDULE IN 2027
Regatta Director Iain Murray has officially released the 'Conditions Governing the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series and the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Match': The racing rules for the event in Naples in 2027. For Emirates Team New Zealand, it sets the stage for an evolution in how we race these incredible America’s Cup yachts, the AC75s.
The team will be diving straight into the mix with the regatta beginning on the beautiful Bay of Naples with a historic opening series of six Fleet Races featuring all seven confirmed AC75s.
The fleet racing will see the flying monohulls line up simultaneously on the Naples seafront racecourse, with all seven teams racing bow-to-bow at the same time. It’s a spectacular prospect for the fans, and an invaluable tactical challenge for the crew on Taihoro.
For the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, the schedule balances valuable and intense racing with our ultimate independent defence preparation. Taihoro will be right out there on the starting line alongside the Challengers from the initial Fleet Races all the way through to the end of the third match racing Round Robin. While the team is racing to win every time we line up, the points and results will not impact the final Challenger standings. The results of the six Challengers are scored independently, as they compete to win the Louis Vuitton Cup, and therefore the right to race in the America’s Cup Match.
HOW DOES THE 38th AMERICA'S CUP WORK?
THE RACE FORMAT EXPLAINED.
The competition layout across almost 2 months of sailing will see plenty of race drama with multiple stages leading to the highly anticipated Match in July 2027. The America's Cup has a unique format: As the current Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand are automatically qualified for the final Match. The team they will face will be decided through the Challenger Selection Series: the Louis Vuitton Cup.
22–23 MAY 2027
Louis Vuitton Cup / Stage 1
THE FLEET RACING OPENER
Three fleet races per day across the opening weekend. Seven AC75s on a single start line will push boat handling and tactical awareness to the absolute limit.
26 MAY – 11 JUNE 2027
Louis Vuitton Cup / Stage 2
THE MATCH RACING GAUNTLET
The classic one-on-one duels begin. Three relentless Round Robins of 21 races each. As Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand exit the competing fleet at the end of the third Round Robin, leaving the top three Challengers to directly advance to the Semi-Finals, and the remaining teams to battle it out in a third stage of the Challenger Selection Series.
12–13 JUNE 2027
Louis Vuitton Cup / Stage 3
THE REPÊCHAGE WEEKEND
The remaining three Challengers fight tooth and nail in a do-or-die knockout stage to claim the fourth, coveted slot in the Semi-Finals.
16 JUNE – 04 JULY 2027
Louis Vuitton Cup
LOUIS VUITTON CUP SEMI-FINALS & FINAL
First-to-five wins determine who survives the Semi-Finals and moves to the white-hot intensity of the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, which is a first-to-seven-wins Match Race. The triumphant Challenger wins the Louis Vuitton Cup and earns the right to line up against Emirates Team New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Match.
10 JULY 2027 – ONWARDS
The Match
THE LOUIS VUITTON 38th AMERICA'S CUP MATCH
Once the dust settles and the Louis Vuitton Cup champion lifts their trophy, the countdown clocks reset. The winning Challenger gets a minimum of five days to catch their breath before they start 'The Match': On July 10th the first race of a 'Best-of-13 Series', where the first team that wins seven races wins the oldest trophy in international sports: the America’s Cup. A feat which Emirates Team New Zealand will be aiming to achieve for a 4th consecutive time.
For the Defender, it is always a difficult balance. From the end of the Round Robins, the team are on their own for a month of refinement and continuous development for speed. In the meantime, the Challenger who survives the gruelling Challenger Selection Series is going to be battle-hardened, slick, and fast.
With the venue offering a spectacular canvas and the six challengers pushing harder than ever, Emirates Team New Zealand are preparing for what could be the closest, most intense America’s Cup Match in modern history.
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