The dates of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Match in Naples were confirmed at a ceremony this week in the grand hall of the Italian city’s Palazzo Reale.
Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand announced that the Match would start with two opening races on Saturday 10 July 2027 and run to a conclusion by the weekend of 17–18 July 2027.
The event on Wednesday (21 January) also saw the unveiling of the America’s Cup Partnership (ACP) alongside the founding teams who will not only constitute the ACP but also contest the world’s oldest international sporting contest.
Delegates at the Palazzo Reale enjoyed a wide-ranging presentation that focussed primarily on the ‘Road to Naples’ as well as the considerable sporting challenge before them.
Representatives of the five teams currently entered to compete for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup — Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), the newly rebranded GB1 (GBR), Luna Rossa (ITA), Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI) and K-Challenge (FRA) — were presented, before the official announcement of Louis Vuitton’s sponsorship and commitment to the America’s Cup was confirmed by Pietro Beccari, chief executive of Louis Vuitton.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei led a powerful cultural welcome at the Palazzo Reale in Naples | Credit: Ian Roman/America’s Cup
Speaking about Louis Vuitton’s continued involvement, Beccari said: “We are delighted to support the America’s Cup in its new transformation, ushering in an even more modern and inclusive era. Together, we experienced the cup’s first major transformation in 1983 with the creation of the Louis Vuitton Cup, and today we are honoured to be present for this new historic edition, the first to take place in Italy, once again demonstrating that Victory Travels in Louis Vuitton.”
Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi confirmed that the city is already gearing up to host this major event, stating: “As the host city of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup, we are delighted to be already at an advanced stage of preparations for the Road to Naples 2027. We look forward to promoting our extraordinary seaside city as a premier destination and showcasing the incomparable Gulf of Naples as a world-class sailing venue.”
The audience were treated to a powerful cultural welcome led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the Auckland-based Māori iwi (indigenous tribe) from Auckland, New Zealand, representing the current Defender, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Emirates Team New Zealand.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei culturally recognised the creation of the ACP, and welcomed all teams to the America’s Cup Partnership before presenting Pounamu taonga (Greenstone treasures) to the founding team members on stage. These taonga represent strength, the heritage of the America’s Cup, respect for all teams that have gone before and a connection to an exciting future.
