Join the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in Naples 2027

Italy will proudly host the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in the spring and summer of 2027, with the stunning city of Naples welcoming sailors, fans, and teams from around the world. This exciting announcement comes through a collaboration between the Italian Government, Team New Zealand, and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, marking a new chapter in the history of the Cup. In early November 2024, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Emirates Team New Zealand officially accepted the challenge from the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd., the British yacht club that first presented the America’s Cup more than 174 years ago and started the incredible legacy of this legendary race. This time, the Royal Yacht Squadron will be represented by Athena Racing, led by the renowned sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, bringing their skill, experience, and ambition to the competition.

Such an event is a moment in every sailor’s life that lives forever in memory. It is not the moment the trophy is lifted. It is the moment just before the race begins, when the water is calm, the sails are still slack, and the air trembles with possibility. For sailors who have lived the America’s Cup, that stillness is sacred. It is the breath before the symphony of wind, waves, and teamwork begins.

Imagine the voice of Jimmy Spithill, recalling his first Cup regatta. He stood at the helm as a young man, heart racing, sweat and salt on his skin, feeling every heartbeat like a drum in his ears. He remembers looking at his crew and hearing not just their quiet readiness, but the echo of every training session, every long night at sea, every laugh and argument that had forged them into something stronger together. He said later that day was not about who won, but about the moment when fear became fuel and uncertainty turned into trust.

Or listen to Peter Burling, who speaks about standing on deck, early yet awake in the gray light before dawn. He remembers the smell of the sea, how the cold and warmth met on his cheeks, and how even the smallest shift in the wind felt like a secret signal. He remembers gripping the wheel, feeling the hull quiver as it lifted over a wave, and hearing the cheers of supporters on shore. What stays with him most is not the victory, but the quiet certainty in that instant when everything finally came together, the hours of preparation, the bond with his crew, and the joy of moving as one over water that can feel alive beneath your feet.

These are memories not of trophies or headlines, but of connection. Of Luna Rossa tacking in perfect precision, every crewmember’s eyes lighting up with effort and exhilaration. Of veteran sailors patting a younger deckhand on the back, whispering “well done” even while wind and tactics demanded relentless attention. Of rival crews from different nations sharing smiles and stories onshore after grueling days, united by the same deep love for the sea and the race.

And then there are the unseen moments, the ones that never make it into broadcasts or photos. The nervous laughter shared just before a race. The tiny nod passed between sailor and tactician when a bold plan pays off. The look of relief at the finish line, not just because it marks an end, but because it confirms something deeper, that a crew can face challenge and feel stronger for it.

This is the real heart of the America’s Cup

The last edition stirred every one of these emotions. Veterans and newcomers alike felt the tension in their bones when the signal gun fired, heard the waves slap the hulls like applause, and savored every inhale of salty wind as yachts lifted above water on foils. Even those who did not cross first felt the lingering pride of giving their absolute best, of knowing they had raced not just for rank, but for the joy of sailing at its highest expression.

Now the horizon calls again
In Naples, Italy in 2027, the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup will unfold in one of the most beautiful settings the world has ever seen. The Bay of Naples waits, its warm Mediterranean breeze, its shimmering turquoise water, its echoes of ancient sailors who first charted this sea centuries ago. Here, teams from around the globe are already dreaming, planning, training, and preparing yachts that will dance with the wind and challenge the limits of speed and precision.

Emirates Team New Zealand will defend the Cup they’ve poured their hearts into. Challenger teams, from Italy’s own passionate sailors to crews from distant shores, each bring stories of dedication, ambition, and hope. Young sailors will feel their first taste of America’s Cup competition. Veterans will chase moments of perfection they have chased their entire careers. And fans, on shore, on spectator boats, across the world, will feel that familiar thrill in their hearts as yachts carve through the waves, wind filling the sails like living breath.

Naples 2027 is an invitation
An invitation to feel the wind on your face. An invitation to dream with new sailors who are writing memories this very moment. An invitation to witness courage, teamwork, and human spirit played out on the grandest stage of sport on water.

Because the America’s Cup is more than a regatta. It is a living story of people who dared to chase the horizon, who trained long nights and early mornings, who learned trust deeper than fear, and who found joy in the relentless pursuit of excellence. It is a story of heart, not just hardware. Of connection, not just competition.

Takeaway from GrabMyBoat
Come be part of that story. Come feel the wind. Come sail into history with Naples 2027. The sea is ready. The crews are ready. The world watches with a racing heart. And the next great chapter in this remarkable journey is just beginning.