Overview
- The Preliminary Regatta, which begins Friday, Sept. 25, features nine AC40 boats from six campaigns including Luna Rossa, Emirates Team New Zealand and Tudor Team Alinghi.
- Organisers say the AC40 races do not award Cup points but serve as technical tests and crew selection opportunities that teams will use to prepare for the AC75 Louis Vuitton Challenger series next spring.
- Construction of team infrastructure in the Bagnoli area has started and teams such as Luna Rossa expect bases to be operational between the end of 2026 and January, with temporary facilities already set up at Nisida and Palumbo.
- The America’s Cup Partnership has announced the Youth America’s Cup for June 2–6, 2027, and organisers are running community outreach in Naples and Caivano that include trophy visits, youth sailing sessions and school events.
- Emirates Team New Zealand, the Defender, expects to ship its AC75 to Naples in the first quarter of 2027, and organisers plan the Louis Vuitton 38th Match as a best‑of‑13 AC75 contest from July 10–19, 2027, with hosts projecting tourism and local economic benefits and possible future editions if the event succeeds.