The America’s Cup has found a new home in Naples, Italy, for the 38th edition starting in the spring and summer of 2027. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made the announcement that Naples would be hosting the event after it was determined that Barcelona, where the Cup happened last time, didn’t have the resources to hold it again. Cup defender Emirates Team New Zealand also eliminated the team’s homeport of Auckland, which hosted both the 2000 and 2021 America’s Cup.

This will be the first time Italy has ever hosted the America’s Cup, despite Italian syndicate Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli fielding strong teams in multiple events. The Italians won the Youth and Women’s America’s Cups at the most recent events in Barcelona.

“Choosing Italy fills us with pride—it honors the very identity of our nation, underscoring the sea’s vital role for Italy,” said Prime Minister Meloni as she made the announcement. “The sea is history, identity, and culture, but also an indispensable pillar of our economy.”

One of the government’s main goals is to use the America’s Cup to build up the tourist infrastructure in Naples. A study by government agency Unimpresa forecasts the event could generate over $700 million in economic benefits for Naples and the surrounding area.

“There is a raw spirit and absolute pride in Italy that seems so appropriate to have the next America’s Cup here,” said Grant Dalton, CEO of Team New Zealand, adding that Italians are the “most passionate and engaged” America’s Cup audience.

Dalton also noted that his Kiwis would be “entering the lion’s den” against home-country favorites Luna Rossa, backed in six previous additions of the Cup by Prada CEO Patrizio Bertelli. Staging a competitive campaign over a three-year period is estimated to cost at least $100 million.  

The announcement also gave much-needed grounding to the America’s Cup, which has been under media scrutiny for all the wrong reasons. One of the six challengers from the last Cup, Alinghi Red Bull Racing, announced it would not participate in the next event, and it’s still not clear if American Magic or France’s Orient Express Racing Team would take part in the 38th Cup.

robbreport.com