Jan 22, 2026
3 min read
The five competing teams have been awarded the official start of the America's Cup Partnership, with Louis Vuitton extending its commitment as the main sponsor of the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup in Naples, Italy.
International media attended the official launch of the America's Cup Partnership (ACP) in the presence of leading national and regional corporate representatives who made the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup in Italy possible in the grand hall of the Royal Palace of Naples.
Additionally, the dates for the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup in Naples have been confirmed.Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, announced that the match will begin on the scheduled Saturday 10th July 2027 and finish on the weekend of 12th and 17th July.
Delegates in the Royal Palace watched a broad and comprehensive presentation, which focused mainly on the "Road to Naples" and the great sporting challenge that awaits them.Ahead of the official announcement of Louis Vuitton's sponsorship and re-commitment to the America's Cup, Louis Vuitton CEO Pietro Beccari confirmed the representatives of the five teams currently registered to compete in the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup.Awarded to: Emirates Team New Zealand (N1SGB), New Zealand (N1SGB), Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI) and K-Challenge (FRA).
Speaking about the involvement of the Louis Vuitton brand, Dr.Beccari said: "We are happy to support the America's Cup with its new changes, brought in even more modern and inclusive times. Together we got the first major change of the Cup in 1983 with the creation of the Louis Vuitton Cup, and today, we are honored to go to the first exhibition of Italy again and this time again in the exhibition of Italy. and Victory travels with Louis Vuitton."
Among the representatives of Italian institutions at the presentation were the Minister of Sports and Youth, Andrea Abodi;the Mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi and the President for Sports and Health Marco Mezzaroma.
The Minister of Sports and Youth, Andrea Abodi, welcomed the people with a warm welcome and said: "Today another step has been taken with the establishment of the America's Cup Partnership, which continues and strengthens the road to Naples in 2027. This partnership represents a bridge between the tradition and the art of the oldest sailing competition in the world, and ensures a very new stage in the global growth in a modern change of the global growth. organization This is an added value that puts Italyat the center of the international stage, when it comes to the most exciting and sought-after competition in the world."
Following Minister Abodi's speech, the new President of the Campania Region, Roberto Fico, who was unable to attend the ceremony in Naples due to previous commitments, welcomed the delegates with a letter read to the room, in which he said: "Hosting the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup is a great honor for the Campania region and its citizens. The eyes of the whole world will be focused on the magnificent Gulf of Naples and the beauty of our region. Campania is a culture,A land of sport and hospitality.It boasts breathtaking scenery and an important sailing tradition, we are ready to support the "Road to Naples" with responsibility and pride.
Confirming how the City of Naples is preparing to host this great event, the Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, said: “As host city of the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup, we are pleased to be already at an advanced stage of preparations for the Road to Naples 2027. We look forward to promoting our extraordinary coastal city as a destination of excellence and presenting the incomparable Gulf of Naples as aplace for world-class sailing".
Marco Mizzaruma, president of Sports and Health, added: "With the 2027 Copa America, Naples and Italy are preparing to write a historical page. With the announcement of the dates, the countdown has officially begun. It is a regatta, a collective challenge, a common challenge, a common vision and a clear message for the future of our country. It is part of the team. In a decisive way in the future.
The America's Cup in Naples is, first of all, a great opportunity for urban renewal.It is also an international showcase for Made in Italy.Technology, Design, Shipbuilding, Research and
Sustainability finds its perfect synthesis in sailing.
Italy once again fully supports its creative work in the Mediterranean: diversity of culture, innovation and maritime culture.Hosting the America's Cup means returning the Mediterranean to the center of international shipping, establishing Naples as a model port and strengthening Italy's leadership in the Mediterranean.
In this case, Sport and Health play a strategic role in ensuring that the America's Cup is not just a major sporting event, but a systemic project that can provide wider value. integration and health promotion; strengthening the link between the event and the area; encouraging citizen participation and access to sport, as well as offering opportunities and skilled jobs.
This event reinforces Italy's key role in shipping and the Mediterranean, placing Naples, its sea and the blue economy at the center of all, with a clear impact on tourism, employment, training and development.
The foundation is therefore the legacy that the America's Cup will leave for the region: not just a global event, but a structural project capable of creating lasting value, infrastructure, skills and new opportunities, especially for young people.
The crowd witnessed a powerful cultural welcome led by Ngāti Wātua Orākei, a Māori iwi (indigenous tribe) from Auckland, New Zealand, representing the current defender, RNZYS and Emirates Team New Zealand.Ngāti Whātua ORākei traditionally celebrated the birth of the ACP and welcomed all the teams to the America's Cup partnership, presenting Paunamu Tonga (Greenstone Treasure) on stage to the founding team members.beginning.This Tongan power, the legacy of the America's Cup, symbolizes respect for all the teams that came before it and hope for an exciting future.
During group announcements, key members of each organization confirmed for the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup answered questions about the challenge ahead and how the new America's Cup Association (ACP) will strengthen the competition going forward.
Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, commented: "We are extremely grateful to the Italian government for making the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup the most anticipated in its 175-year history. It is an honor for us to host this event in Italy and we are fully aware of what awaits us in terms of emotion and color that Italian fans will be able to express. The partnership represents a real change for the America's Cup,
as it opens up joint management and a new direction for the future of the event;Louis Vuitton's renewed commitment is the most concrete evidence of this.This is a fundamental change in the long term, but already in the short term, the ACP will ensure some of the most competitive regattas of all time and unprecedented competition." Sir Ben Ainslie, Team Leader of the GB1 Challenger of the Record, echoed Dalton's words, stating: "Today is a defining moment for the America's Cup. The teams have come together to create a solid and neutral management team.With ambitions to grow the fan base and commercial appeal of the event, GB1 now sees this vision come to life through the strength of our partnerships, including securing significant investment from Oakley Capital and opening exciting conversations with leading global brands, and this new chapter could elevate it to the highest level of global sport.
After the match, Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL);GB1 (GBR);Luna Rossa (ITA);I had the opportunity to meet members of Tudor Team Alingi (SUI) and K-Challenge (FRA) and speak to the Minister at a grand ceremony at the Royal Palace.
Max Sirena, CEO of Luna Rossa: "We are very happy that the first Preliminary Regatta will take place in Cagliari, a beautiful city that we know well, having chosen it as our base already in 2014. It will be the first taste of the 38th edition of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup and we aim, as always, to give our best. one of the most beautiful places in the world for sailing and it will certainly offer a unique environment for this eventOf course, we feel the responsibility to compete in our country in front of thousands of fans, but at the same time it will give us additional motivation to face the challenge in the best possible way. Since the end of the 37th edition of the America's Cup in Barcelona, we have never stopped working as hard as possible to be 20.
“We are the first Italian team to win the America’s Cup.”
David Endian, Team Director, Technical and Sailing for Tudor Team Alingi: "Alingi holds an emotional place in the history of the America's Cup: as the only European challenger to win the trophy, it has an iconic place in the history of the sport. It was natural for us to join the founding members of this association. Naples, the regatta will be memorable for all involved."Promised
Stephan Candler, Co-CEO of K-Challenge: «France is a historic country for sailing and the America's Cup. K-Challenge has been involved in various French campaigns since 2001;it therefore became a mission to be part of the future of the America's Cup as one of the founders of the new partnership with legendary teams such as Emirates Team New Zealand, GB1, Luna Rossa and Tudor Team Alinghi.This will strengthen the visibility and image of the America's Cup. "This is a great opportunity for the event and the teams to rise to the level of other major sports organizations."
