The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Naples continues the journey on the ‘Road to Naples 2027’ with the host venue offering a spectacular regatta in the Bay of Naples from the 24 – 27th September 2026.
Naples is all set to host the America’s Cup Prelim Regatta, and this fabulous city on the sea will come alive to the sights, sounds and action right on the front with plenty of premium viewing spots for everyone. The Race Village will be the centre of the action with dock-out and dock-in shows on the main stage and plenty of entertainment to keep fans immersed in the Cup world. Gastronomy concessions and the ever-popular merchandise store will be open and entry is completely free to all.
For the sailing teams of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, the Naples Preliminary Regatta is the second chance to dial in their racing skills and establish the pecking order. It’s a chance to check-in on the opposition, and after the Sardinia Preliminary Regatta which was dominated by Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand, with the Italians winning, it’s a chance to go again and inject that vital element of an America’s Cup campaign: ‘momentum.’
Sailing fully equalised ‘one-design’ AC40 yachts capable of speeds in excess of 40+ knots, the racing will be fast and furious as the yachts sailed against each other in a series of eight fleet races – three races every afternoon in quick fire succession. After the fleet racing, the scores are tallied and the two boats with the highest score go through to the one-race, yachts vs yacht final. It’s winner-take-all in a competition that is famous for ‘There is no Second.’ Reputations are on the line. Naples is about to deliver the spectacular.
RACE VILLAGE
RACE VILLAGE
Situated in Rotonda Diaz (also known as Mappatella Beach) as the centre-piece for the main stage, the Race Village is the beating heart of the Naples Prelim Regatta. Every race day, there will be a dock-out show, sailor presentations, interviews, and local entertainers performing. At the conclusion of racing, the always popular dock-in show recaps the day, and the winners will be on hand to greet the audience and explain how the day went. It’s a chance to meet the sailing superstars of the America’s Cup and get a rare insight into their campaigns.
During racing, large screens will broadcast all the action live from the racecourse with full commentary and analysis. Within the Race Village will be plenty of food and drink options for fans whilst the merchandise store offers a full range of team and event regalia to satisfy every taste and budget.
The Race Village is free to enter for everyone and is the perfect place to get together with family and friends and be a part of the ‘Road to Naples’ and the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup.
The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Sardinia did not affect the overall standings for the main event in Naples in 2027, yet all teams were eyeing glory to build racing momentum into their campaigns as well as an early psychological advantage.
Sailing this first regatta of the new cycle in fully equalised AC40 yachts, the pocket-rocket little brothers and sisters to the mighty AC75s, the teams of four per boat (two helms, two trimmers), completed up to eight fleet races to decide the final two, who faced off in a match-race to crown the winner.
Uniquely for this Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup cycle, teams were permitted to enter a second AC40 yacht crewed by members of their Women & Youth teams. The Defender Emirates Team New Zealand, the Challenger of Record GB1 and the Italian Challenger Luna Rossa all fielded two teams for Sardinia. Tudor Team Alinghi and La Roche-Posay Racing Team sent just one team to the regatta, making the fleet eight-strong in total.
Sunday 27th September: Up to 2 fleet races before the ‘Match-Race’ Final between the top two boats after 8 scheduled fleet races
How to Watch
HOW TO WATCH
ON-SCREEN
The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Naples has partnered with broadcasters in many territories including RAI, Italy's public national broadcaster, and the RACING will go LIVE at 2:00pm CEST. Fans can also catch it LIVE on the official America’s Cup Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as www.americascup.com. If you missed the races or want to relive the action, full replays are available immediately after the racing finishes.
FROM LAND
The main activation is in the free-to-enter Race Village which contains a main stage and giant screens and has a direct view of all the action from the racecourse. Alternatively, there are numerous vantage points all along the Via Francesco Caracciolo.
FROM THE WATER
Areas around the racecourse in the Bay of Naples will be dedicated to yachts and small craft. If you plan to be on the water amongst the action, then you must register your boat and see the on-water page that will be live closer to the event.
DISCOVER NAPLES
DISCOVER NAPLES
Naples is a vibrant and historic southern Italian city bursting with energy and is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Greek settlers built it over 2,500 years ago. It is the true birthplace of pizza and sits on the edge of the glistening and challenging Bay of Naples on the Mediterranean Sea, right next to the famous Mount Vesuvius volcano. Winding ancient, cobbled streets, grand palaces, and stunning art and sculptures hide around every corner, and the Naples National Archaeological Museum holds some of the best ancient Roman statues and treasures on earth.
To look out from Naples is a feast for the eyes with Mount Vesuvius dominating to one side whilst the stunning islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida sit invitingly offshore and await your discovery. For history lovers, a visit to Pompeii is a must – the Roman city that was frozen in time by volcanic ash is not to be missed. Equally the Duomo, the outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral, built in the 13th and 14th centuries is a must-see with its unique architecture that blends both Gothic and Renaissance styles and houses the Chapel of San Gennaro honouring the city's patron Saint.
No visit to Naples is complete without sampling the cuisine that the region is famous for, and there is something for budget and taste. Lively restaurants with colourful and expressive waiters can be found on every street and of course, the pizza is out of this world. The classic Neapolitan pizza is so special that its preparation is a protected cultural treasure and is made with just a few fresh ingredients: wheat dough, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and olive oil. You simply have to have one in Naples!
One of the striking things about the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup racecourse is that at one end is the Castel dell Ovo, one of the most historic sites in Italy and the place where Virgil’s remains can be found. Legend has it that the famous poet put a magical egg into the foundations to support the fortifications. It remains there along with his bones, and had this egg been broken, the castle would have been destroyed and a series of disastrous events for Naples would have followed.
Today, the Castel dell Ovo is the perfect place to start a remarkable tour to take in the three castles of Naples and is a fabulous way to explore the city. Walk up to the Castel Nuovo (about 20 minutes away) and then on to the Castle Sant Elmo high on Vomero Hill with breathtaking views of the city below and out across the Bay of Naples. On the way down, don’t forget to stop and admire the Piazza del Plebiscito and the grand Royal Palace right in the heart of the city – and the exact area that hosted the Pope on his recent visit in 2026.
Naples has so much to explore and enjoy. It’s truly one of the most vibrant and inspiring places on earth and the perfect venue for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup. Be there.
