Italy will host the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in Naples in 2027. It will be the first time the prestigious sailing event comes to Italy.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the news on Thursday, expressing pride in Italy’s selection as the host nation. “I am proud to announce that the America’s Cup will be held, for the first time in history, in Italy,” said Meloni.
Naples will host the 38th edition of the world-famous sailing competition, which will take place in the spring and summer of 2027. Meloni stated the event’s importance in promoting Italy’s nautical, shipbuilding, and shipping sectors, calling the sea “an irreplaceable part of our productive and economic system.”
Bay of Naples centre of America’s Cup event
The focus of the event is in the Bay of Naples, between Castel dell’Ovo and Posillipo. Organisers also plan to use the occasion to accelerate urban redevelopment in Bagnoli, transforming it into a modern tourist, seaside, and commercial hub.
Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi called the announcement “the biggest sporting event Naples has ever hosted.” He said the event will demonstrate both the city’s scenic beauty and its capacity to manage major international competitions.
Grant Dalton, CEO of defending champions Team New Zealand, praised the choice of Naples. “There is a raw spirit and absolute pride in Italy that seems so appropriate to have the next America’s Cup here,” he said.
Naples has previously hosted World Series events in 2012 and 2013. The city’s successful bid to host the 2027 Cup is part of a broader effort to strengthen southern Italy’s economy and global profile, Meloni said.
Sir Ben Ainslie, team principal of Athena Racing, welcomed the choice. He noted Naples’ potential to deliver a world-class broadcast product against the dramatic backdrop of the Bay of Naples.
The 2027 America’s Cup will also include the Women’s America’s Cup and Youth America’s Cup, both of which Italy won in 2024 in Barcelona. They also secured gold medals in the 2024 Olympics on the water.
Redevelopment of Naples as a result
Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples and Government Special Commissioner for Bagnoli, praised the successful bid of Naples to host the America’s Cup.
“Hosting the 38th America’s Cup in Naples represents an extraordinary international showcase for the beauty and history of our territory. We have worked diligently on this bid over the recent months in close collaboration with the Government, successfully prevailing over other competing cities. This achievement will generate a substantial economic impact on our territory, as experienced by previous host cities such as Barcelona and Valencia.
“The event is set to be the most significant sporting occasion ever hosted by Naples, transforming the city’s iconic Bay into a stage for spectacular races among the world’s elite sailing teams. An opportunity to show the world not only the beauty of our landscape, but also the city’s ability to competently address the great challenges of the present.
“The races will take place in the waters between Castel dell’Ovo and Posillipo, while the team bases will be established in Bagnoli – a strategic area where the Government has decided to invest decisively, with the goal of finally returning it to the city and its citizens.
“The complex work of environmental remediation and redevelopment in Bagnoli is already underway and progressing according to plan. The America’s Cup will serve as a powerful accelerator for tourism, the maritime economy, local entrepreneurship, and the development of new skills, providing a tangible preview of what this area can become upon completion of its urban regeneration.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, and all the institutional and technical stakeholders involved for the trust placed in our city. Naples is ready and will continue to demonstrate its ability to deliver concrete results.”
