Naples enters the heart of the Road to Naples 2027 with the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Preliminary Regatta, scheduled for September 24-27, 2026, in the Gulf of Naples. It is the second preliminary regatta in the cycle leading to the 38th America's Cup and represents the first competitive event on the waters that will host the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup Match in 2027.
The competition will see nine AC40s in the water, the one-design foiling boats that can exceed 40 knots. Six teams will be present, with some teams also competing with a second boat dedicated to Women & Youth crews: the reigning champions of New ZealandTeam New Zealand aims with 2 boats, the British GB1 / Athena Pathway with 2 boats, ours Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli with 2 boats, Switzerland Tudor Team Alinghi with a boat, the French one La Roche-Posay Racing Team with a boat and the American American Racing Challenger Team USA with a boat. The goal is to test crews, strategies, and performance in the conditions of the Naples race course, just a few months before the main event in 2027.
The regatta program
Thursday, September 24th will be the official practice day, dedicated to the final tests and familiarization with the race course. The Race Village at Rotonda Diaz will open at 11 a.m. and will accompany the public with presentations, interviews, entertainment and sponsor activities.
The competition itself will start on Friday 25th September, with the first three fleet races scheduled for 14pm. Three more races are scheduled for Saturday 26th September, while The last two fleet races will be held on Sunday 27 September, always from 14 pm. At the end of the eight total races, the top two boats in the ranking will advance to the match race final: a direct, one-on-one confrontation that will decide the victory of the Preliminary Regatta.
A village open to the public
The heart of the event will be the Race Village at Rotonda Diaz, with free admission. Giant screens along the Lungomare Caracciolo will allow you to follow the races from the ground too, while the program includes dock-out and dock-in shows, music, interviews, refreshment points and official merchandising.
The regatta will also be part of a broader week of sporting, cultural, and institutional events involving Naples and other municipalities in Campania. Initiatives include activities for young people and families, events related to the European Week of Sport and programs dedicated to the diffusion of sports practice.
An investment of 6,1 million
The Preliminary Regatta also represents a significant public investment. The organization of the September event has been supported by 6,1 million euros planned by the Campania Region, drawing on the funds of the Development and Cohesion Plan. At the local level, the Municipality of Naples is also supporting specific organizational activities. Among the contracts awarded, for example, is the construction of the Race Village for the four days of the regatta, awarded for €169.580.
Investments don't just concern the four days of racing, however. The America's Cup is part of a broader program that involves infrastructure, organization, territorial promotion, sports activities and related interventions in preparation for the 2027 event.
The economic effect on the territory
The main element of interest for Naples and Campania is the related industries. Mayor Gaetano Manfredi has indicated a overall estimate of economic benefits between 1 and 1,5 billion euros linked to the entire America's Cup route, considering not only tourism spending and investment, but also the city's international image. This estimate therefore refers to the project as a whole, not just the four days of the Preliminary Regatta.
The potential consequences mainly concern tourism, hotels, catering, transport, services, trade and activities related to event organization. Added to this is the value of the international visibility guaranteed by images of the Gulf, the Lungomare, and Vesuvius.
Sponsor and international showcase
The commercial dimension of the event is an integral part of the project. In the Race Village there will be installations by sponsors present and experiences dedicated to the public, combining the sporting competition with engagement and promotion activities for partners.
The new structure of the America's Cup aims to make competition more stable also from an economic point of viewThe new model includes a cost cap of €55 million per team and greater calendar continuity, elements that are encouraging greater participation and new private investment.
