UP NEXT: PR 2—NAPOLI /// 24–27 SEPTEMBER 2026 /// 38TH AMERICA'S CUP

In September 2026, the world's best sailing teams will line up along the Lungomare in Naples and under the watchful eyes of Mt Vesuvius to compete in the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Preliminary Regatta Naples. Taking place from 24–27 September 2026, the regatta marks the first competitive racing on the very waters that will host the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup Match in 2027. Racing on identical AC40 foiling yachts, the event gives teams another crucial opportunity to sharpen crew combinations, fine-tune race execution, and build valuable knowledge of the local conditions ahead of next year's campaign.

For Emirates Team New Zealand, the regatta follows an encouraging first regatta in Cagliari, where the AC75 team finished runner-up after progressing to the Match Race Final, while the Women's & Youth crew secured fifth place. More importantly, the event delivered invaluable racing experience, performance data, and insights into the new crew combinations. Since then, the team has completed an intensive training block in Naples during July, logging valuable hours on the future America's Cup racecourse and continuing to develop both sailing techniques and race strategies in the local conditions.

The race format remains unchanged from the Sardinia Preliminary Regatta. Teams will compete in a series of fleet races aboard identical AC40s, with the leading crews progressing to a winner-takes-all Match Race Final. The Naples event also welcomes the United States team, American Racing Challenger Team USA, to the Preliminary Regatta fleet for the first time this cycle, adding another strong challenger to the competition. The Australian team will not yet take part, meaning six teams will line up on the Bay of Naples with a total of nine boats. Preparations certainly intensify towards the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in 2027.

HOW TO WATCH THE PRELIMINARY REGATTA NAPLES?

Thursday, 24 September 2026 (LOCAL TIME)
OFFICIAL PRACTICE DAY
Before racing officially begins, teams take to the water for final preparations, venue familiarisation, and crucial on-course practice in Naples's weather and wind conditions.

For each race, the racecourse is set up for an upwind start with the length and number of legs determined based on the wind and weather conditions of the day.

Friday & Saturday, 25 & 26 September 2026 (LOCAL TIME)
RACE DAYS 1 & 2
Across the opening race days, all teams will compete in a series of high-intensity fleet races aboard identical AC40s, with up to three races scheduled each day.

The nine-boat fleet will see Emirates Team New Zealand line up against GB1 (UK), Luna Rossa (ITA), Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI), La Roche-Posay Racing Team (FRA), and American Racing Challenger Team USA (USA). Like Emirates Team New Zealand, both the British and Italian teams will also field a second AC40 crewed by their respective Women’s and Youth sailors: adding even more depth, talent, and intensity to the competition.

Sunday, 27 September 2026 (LOCAL TIME)
THE FINAL SHOWDOWN: RACE DAY 3
On Race Day 3, two more fleet races are scheduled and the Preliminary Regatta will conclude with a winner-takes-all match race final with the top two teams competing against each other to determine who will take home the Winner title of the Preliminary Regatta Naples.

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FAQ – WHAT ARE THE PRELIMINARY REGATTAS?

What are the America's Cup Preliminary Regattas?
The Preliminary Regattas are a series of official America's Cup events raced in identical AC40 foiling yachts. The events allow teams to compete, develop crews, and gather valuable performance data ahead of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup.

Where is the Preliminary Regatta Napoli held?
The regatta will be sailed on the Bay of Naples, Italy, off the coast of the city's famous Lungomare waterfront along Via Francesco Caracciolo, nestled between the iconic Castel dell'Ovo and the picturesque coastline of Posillipo.

Where can I watch the Preliminary Regattas?
Check out the official Emirates Team New Zealand YouTube channel to watch daily race highlights, behind the scenes content and race debriefs and analyses by the team. For real-time updates join our WhatsApp community or follow along on our official social media channels. 

All live racing will be streamed on the official America's Cup YouTube channel and replays are available immediately. There are several broadcasters showing the racing live on TV – for New Zealand audiences, live racing and replays are available on TVNZ's channels. 

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How do the America's Cup Preliminary Regattas work?
The Preliminary Regattas are sailed in equalised AC40s with each team being allowed to field two boats: the second one being crewed by the respective Women's & Youth teams. Emirates Team New Zealand, GB1, and Luna Rossa opted for a two-boat entry, while the Swiss, French, and US teams only fielded one boat each. 

Eight fleet races across three days of racing then culminate in the final winner-takes-all Match Race. The racecourse will be located right off the coast of Naples' waterfront with an upwind start. The racecourse length, orientation, and number of legs will be determined on the day depending on wind and wave conditions.

Who sails in the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta Naples?
All teams that entered the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup cycle will compete in the Preliminary Regatta Naples (with the exception of the Australian team): Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), GB1 and Athena Pathway (GBR), Luna Rossa (ITA), Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI), La Roche-Posay Racing Team (FRA), and American Racing Challenger Team USA (USA). 

Who will sail for Emirates Team New Zealand in the Preliminary Regatta in Napoli, Italy?
Both the senior crew and Women's & Youth team will be announced closer to the event. Keep an eye on our website to hear about all the latest updates or sign up to our newsletter. 

Which boats are used in the America's Cup Preliminary Regattas?
The Preliminary Regattas are raced in identical AC40 foiling yachts. The Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup itself will be contested in the larger AC75 foiling monohulls. Each team is allowed to field two boats: one crewed by their AC75 sailing team, and the second one sailed by their respective Women's and Youth teams. The AC40s will also be the official boats used in the Women's America's Cup as well as the Youth America's Cup in 2027.

Did Emirates Team New Zealand win the Preliminary Regatta Sardinia in Cagliari?
In the first Preliminary Regatta of the 38th America's Cup cycle, Emirates Team New Zealand finished as overall runner-up after qualifying for the Match Race Final, where Luna Rossa claimed victory in front of their home crowd. The Women's & Youth team secured a fifth place. 

Why are the America's Cup Preliminary Regattas important?
The events allow teams to refine crew combinations, develop race strategy, test communication under pressure and collect valuable performance data that informs preparation for the America's Cup itself.

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