The action begins with an exciting first in modern America's Cup history: all seven AC75s—the Defender and the six Challengers—will line up together for an opening series of fleet races on the Bay of Naples. Although Emirates Team New Zealand will race alongside the Challengers throughout the Fleet Racing stage and the Triple Round Robin, the team's results do not contribute to the Challenger standings. Instead, these races provide invaluable opportunities to race against every competitor while continuing preparations to defend the America's Cup in July 2027.

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THE CHALLENGERS

Six teams will compete in the Louis Vuitton Cup, each hoping to become the official Challenger for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Match.

The Challenger fleet consists of the Challenger of Record, GB1 (Great Britain), Luna Rossa (Italy), Tudor Team Alinghi (Switzerland), La Roche-Posay Racing Team (France), Team Australia Challenge (Australia), and the American Racing Challenger Team USA (United States).

For the first time in the modern history of the 175-year old competition, all previous winning nations will compete in the same edition: the United States, Australia, Switzerland, and New Zealand.

THE BOATS

The Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup will be contested in the spectacular AC75 foiling monohulls that are capable of exceeding 55 knots (more than 100 km/h; as seen during the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona in 2024) while flying above the water on hydrofoils.

Although every team races under the same AC75 Class Rule and Technical Regulations, each yacht is uniquely designed and engineered. From foil development and aerodynamics to onboard control systems, every design decision is aimed at creating the fastest possible boat for the conditions expected in Naples. Since the AC75s made their debut at the 36th America's Cup in Auckland in 2021, the class has continued to evolve, delivering even greater speed, efficiency, manoeuvrability, and reliability.

THE VENUE

For the first time in its 175-year history, the America's Cup will be hosted in Italy, with Naples providing the stage for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup.

Set against the backdrop of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples, the venue combines one of the world's most spectacular natural amphitheatres with a rich maritime heritage. The city's varied wind conditions, technical racecourse, and passionate sporting culture make Naples a fitting host for one of the world's most demanding sailing competitions. 

22–23 MAY 2027*
LOUIS VUITTON CUP / STAGE 1

FLEET RACING: THE SPECTACULAR OPENING WEEKEND

The Louis Vuitton Cup begins with an action-packed opening weekend as all seven AC75s line up on the same start line for the first time. Three fleet races per day will test boat handling, tactical awareness, and decision-making in close-quarters racing, with every point carrying weight from the very first start.

26 MAY – 11 JUNE 2027*
LOUIS VUITTON CUP / STAGE 2

TRIPLE ROUND ROBIN: THE ROAD TO THE SEMI-FINALS

The competition shifts to classic one-on-one match racing, where every race is a tactical duel. Across three Round Robins, each Challenger faces every other Challenger three times, while Emirates Team New Zealand also races alongside the fleet to maximise racing opportunities ahead of the America's Cup Match. As the Defender, however, the team's results do not count towards the Challenger standings. At the conclusion of the Round Robins, the top three Challengers progress directly to the Semi-Finals, while the remaining teams move into the next stage of the Challenger Selection Series.

12–13 JUNE 2027*
LOUIS VUITTON CUP / STAGE 3

REPÊCHAGE: ONE LAST CHANCE

With only one Semi-Final place still available, the remaining Challengers enter a high-pressure knockout weekend. The teams fight for the final place in the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals to keep their America's Cup dream alive. In each Repêchage round, the first team to score 3 points advances a step further. 

16 JUNE – 04 JULY 2027*
LOUIS VUITTON CUP

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL

The intensity reaches another level. The Semi-Finals are decided in a first-to-five points match race series, before the two remaining teams advance to the Louis Vuitton Cup Final—a first-to-seven showdown. The winning Challenger not only lifts one of sailing's most prestigious trophies but also earns the right to challenge Emirates Team New Zealand for the America's Cup. True to the old saying: "To win the America's Cup, one first must win the Louis Vuitton Cup."

FROM 10 JULY 2027*
LOUIS VUITTON 38TH AMERICA'S CUP

THE MATCH

Following the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, the successful Challenger has a minimum of five days to prepare before the focus turns to sailing's ultimate prize. The Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Match is a best-of-13 series, with the first team to claim seven race wins lifting the oldest trophy in international sport. As the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand will be aiming to make history by winning the America's Cup for a fourth consecutive time.

* Official reserve days are built into the race schedule and will be used if required due to weather or wind conditions. This means the total number of racing days may change.

FAQ – WHAT IS THE AMERICA'S CUP?

What is the America's Cup? Why is it called 'America's Cup'?
The America's Cup is the world's oldest international sporting trophy and the pinnacle of competitive sailing. First raced in 1851, the event is named after the schooner America, which won a race around the Isle of Wight before the trophy was donated to become the America's Cup. Today, the competition sees the defending champion face the winning Challenger in a match race series to determine the holder of the Auld Mug, as the trophy is affectionately known.

What is the Louis Vuitton Cup? What is the Challenger Selection Series? 
The Louis Vuitton Cup is the Challenger Selection Series of the America's Cup. It determines which team earns the right to challenge the Defender in the America's Cup Match. Six Challenger teams compete through fleet races, Round Robins and knockout match racing, with the winner lifting the Louis Vuitton Cup and advancing to race Emirates Team New Zealand for the America's Cup.

When is the next America's Cup?
The Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup will take place in Naples, Italy, between May and July 2027. The event begins with the Louis Vuitton Cup, the Challenger Selection Series, before culminating in the America's Cup Match, which starts on 10 July 2027. Emirates Team New Zealand will defend the America's Cup against the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Where will the 38th America's Cup be held?
The Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup will be held in Naples, Italy, marking the first time in the competition's 175-year history that Italy hosts the event. Racing will take place on the spectacular Bay of Naples, with Mount Vesuvius providing a dramatic backdrop. The venue combines world-class sailing conditions with a rich maritime heritage and passionate sporting culture.

Where can I watch the America's Cup?
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. 

Fans around the world can watch the America's Cup through the official America's Cup broadcast partners, selected television networks, and the official America's Cup YouTube channel, where live racing and highlights are available in many regions. For New Zealand audiences, TVNZ will provide the national broadcast both live and as replays. 

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How does the America's Cup work? How do you win the America's Cup?
The America's Cup features a unique format. Six Challengers first compete in the Louis Vuitton Cup to determine who earns the right to face the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the America's Cup Match. The Match is contested as a best-of-13 series, with the first team to win seven races lifting the America's Cup.

Who competes in the America's Cup? Who are the Challengers?
The Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup features the New Zealand team, Emirates Team New Zealand, as the Defender and six Challenger teams competing in the Louis Vuitton Cup. The Challengers represent Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, France, Australia, and the United States, all aiming to earn the right to race for the America's Cup in the final Match against Emirates Team New Zealand.

Who will sail for Emirates Team New Zealand in the America's Cup?
The Emirates Team New Zealand sailing team for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup is led by Skipper Nathan Outteridge, Andy Maloney, Jo Aleh, Chris Draper, Blair Tuke, Iain Jensen, Seb Menzies, Josh Armit, Erica Dawson, Jake Pye, Serena Woodall, Lena Sanderson, who are supported by the coaching team Ray Davies and Sam Meech. The precise make up of the five sailors onboard will be named in the lead up to the start of racing in 2027. Within the squad are some exciting new talent who will compete in the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup events.

Emirates Team New Zealand's campaign is supported by a world-class group of sailors, designers, engineers and shore crew, all working together to prepare the fastest possible boat for the defence of the America's Cup. Keep an eye on our website to hear about all the latest updates or sign up to our newsletter. 

What boats are used in the America's Cup?
The America's Cup is raced in the spectacular AC75 class yachts. The foiling monohulls are capable of speeds exceeding 55 knots (more than 100 km/h or 63 mph). Designed under a common Class Rule, every AC75 is uniquely developed by its team, combining cutting-edge naval architecture, aerodynamics, hydrofoils and advanced control systems to maximise performance.

Did Emirates Team New Zealand win the last America's Cup? Who is defending the current America's Cup?
Yes. Emirates Team New Zealand successfully defended the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona in 2024, defeating INEOS Britannia (GBR) to retain the trophy. Having also won the 35th America's Cup (2017) and the 36th America's Cup (2021), the team enters the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in Naples as the defending champion.. 

How many times has New Zealand won the America's Cup?
New Zealand has won the America's Cup five times, in 1995, 2000, 2017, 2021 and 2024, including three consecutive wins in the last three editions. An achievement that has not been reached by any other modern team in the 175-year old history of the Cup. The team will aim to secure a fourth consecutive America's Cup victory when it defends the trophy in Naples in 2027.

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