For the first time in history,America’s Cup, the oldest sporting trophy in the world and the most important international sailing competition, will be held in Italy. To host the 38esima edition, scheduled between spring and summer 2027, will be Napoli, city officially chosen as Host city by the event organizers, led by Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The decision was formalized in agreement with the Italian government.
“I am proud to announce that the America's Cup will be held, for the first time in history, in Italy. Naples will be the city that will host the thirty-eighth edition of the most famous and prestigious sailing tournament in the world in 2027,” declared the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni – a global event that involves millions of enthusiasts and represents a unique synthesis of tradition, technological innovation, engineering excellence and competitive spirit”.
Naples' candidacy has prevailed over other international options and represents a significant result from both a sporting and strategic point of view. The regattas will be held in the stretch of sea between Castel dell'Ovo and Posillipo, while the operational bases of the teams will find space in Bagnoli, in an area undergoing urban and environmental redevelopment.
A successful precedent and a unique opportunity for Luna Rossa
Naples is not entirely new to events of this calibre: between 2011 and 2013 it had already hosted some stages of the America's Cup World Series, demonstrating good organizational skills and leaving a positive impression at an international level. But 2027 will mark Italy's absolute debut as the host country of the entire event.
A great opportunity therefore for the Italian team Red Moon who will be able to compete in domestic waters for the first time. Along with her and the champions of Team New Zealand, the American crews of American Magic and the British ones led by Ben Ainslie, while the participation of the Swiss and French remains uncertain.
The event is expected to have a great media and economic impact. The America's Cup is followed by millions of fans around the world and is considered not only a sporting competition, but also a showcase of technological innovation, advanced nautical design, engineering excellence e strategic skills. As has already happened for cities like Valencia and Barcelona, Naples is also preparing to reap direct and indirect benefits in terms of tourism, investments and promotion of the territory.
Urban regeneration of Bagnoli planned
A significant part of the project concerns the redevelopment of the area di Bagnoli, an industrial archaeology site that has been the subject of recovery projects for years. The choice to locate the operational bases of the teams participating in the Cup there represents, in the intentions, a further push to complete the environmental remediation and transform the area into a modern tourist and sports centre.
The America's Cup will therefore be a accelerator for urban regeneration projects already started. The involvement of the Sport and Health company, designated as implementing body, and various ministries (Sport, Economy, Infrastructure) aims at an integrated approach between sport, sustainable development and marine economy.
2027 historic year for Naples
2027 will be a symbolic year for Naples: they will fall 2.500 years since the foundation of the city and, one year earlier, in 2026, Naples will be European Capital of Sport. The coincidence with the America's Cup adds symbolic and practical value, helping to strengthen the city's identity as a sporting and cultural hub of the Mediterranean.
For the mayor Gaetano Manfredi, it will be the “largest sporting event ever hosted in Naples”. The event, in addition to showing “the beauty of our landscape”, will also be a test of managerial and logistical maturity for the city, called to compete with very high international organizational standards.
Between blue economy and training
In addition to the sporting aspects, the America's Cup is part of a broader strategy to enhance theeconomy of the sea (blue economy). Italy, which already boasts leadership positions in sectors such as shipbuilding, pleasure, the cruise andshipping industry, will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to attract investments, consolidate skills and promote initiatives related to youth training and sustainability.
“Naples represents an exceptional opportunity to enhance the territory, increase tourism and spread the culture of sport” underlined the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea AbodiThe event will include parallel competitions dedicated to young people and women, contributing to a more inclusive and future-oriented approach.
