Naples will host its first America's Cup racing from 24 to 27 September 2026, when the city stages a Preliminary Regatta ahead of the main event the following year. The 2027 competition will be the first time the world's oldest continuously contested sporting contest has been held on Italian soil, and the 2026 regatta gives an early look at what that occasion will involve.
The announcement was made in Cagliari during the first Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, with a notable group of officials present: Andrea Abodi, Minister of Sport and Youth; Gaetano Manfredi, Special Commissioner for Bagnoli-Coroglio and Mayor of Naples; Roberto Fico, President of the Campania Region; Marco Mezzaroma and Diego Nepi Molineris, President and CEO of Sport e Salute respectively; and Marzio Perrelli, Chief Executive Officer of the America's Cup Partnership.
With redevelopment work in the Bagnoli area still under way, competing teams will initially be based at the Navy Logistics Command in Nisida, an arrangement made possible through extensive inter-institutional collaboration coordinated by the Italian government. Once construction at Bagnoli reaches the required stage, teams will transfer there and remain through to 2027.
Racing will take place across the Bay of Naples, a distinctive natural setting providing the backdrop for competition on the water and for spectators gathered ashore. The event is also intended to demonstrate Italy's capacity to plan and deliver major international occasions, functioning as a genuine rehearsal for the 2027 Cup and the broader urban renewal programme taking shape in Naples.
STATEMENTS
Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth: "Italy doubles down! The second Preliminary Regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup will take place in the stunning setting of Naples from September 24 to 27. The Neapolitan city is thus preparing for a first dress rehearsal in its charming stretch of water, a baptism that holds many meanings, embodying the spirit of collaboration among institutions and the rebirth of a place, Bagnoli, which has been left to its own devices for over thirty years. It also reflects the beauty of the places that welcome us, a destiny that was written in the stars because we simply had to stay in Italy. The city's readiness, and that of its institutions, to showcase not only what the sea offers but also what this event represents, brings to life what was initially a dream, an idea, which then became a project in which the government has invested with the awareness that it will generate value, development, appeal, investment, tourism, social interaction, and new opportunities for everyone, starting with young people. The America's Cup has spanned the centuries, consolidating its universal value, and Naples is, after Cagliari, a stop on a journey that began just over a year ago with the awarding of the organisation. This journey is proceeding with concreteness and punctuality, day after day, staying on course as we approach what will be the world's most important sailing event in 2027."
Marco Mezzaroma, President of Sport e Salute: "We are particularly pleased to announce that as early as September 2026, the grand sailing spectacle of the America's Cup will arrive in Naples, thanks to genuine teamwork among institutions, coordinated by the Government, which will bring an event of global significance to the region.
The decision to schedule the preliminary regatta for late September stems from a careful and shared assessment, grounded in vision, planning, and common sense: a decision designed to extend the summer season, facilitate better management of traffic flows in the Gulf of Naples, allow for the optimal completion of the Bagnoli redevelopment works, which are proceeding at a rapid pace, and provide a further boost to tourism and the local economy.
This event will represent much more than a major sporting event: it will be a generator of value, an extraordinary international showcase for Italy and for Naples. We want to turn it into an opportunity to engage schools, local areas, the suburbs, and the entire community, leaving a tangible legacy.
We would like to extend our thanks to the Italian Government, the Minister for Sport and Youth, the Special Commissioner and Mayor of Naples, the President of the Campania Region, the America's Cup organization, and Invitalia. But also, to the Minister of Defence, the Italian Navy, and Difesa Servizi, who will allow the participating teams to make a stop in Nisida, just a short walk from Bagnoli.
This demonstrates that when Italy works as a team, it does not merely host major events: it turns them into concrete opportunities for growth, development, and the future."
Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples and Special Government Commissioner for Bagnoli: "Hosting the America's Cup pre-regatta in the coming months, ahead of the competition in which Naples will play a leading role next year, represents a great opportunity for our entire region. The city will be ready to consolidate its role as an international hub capable of providing hospitality, event management, and services. While reclamation and regeneration work continues in Bagnoli, we will prioritize Nisida and its mission of social renewal."
Roberto Fico, President of the Campania Region: "With the Preliminary Regattas in Naples, Campania is preparing to experience a first significant moment of the America's Cup. Thanks to the institutional synergies that have been put in place, we are working to ensure the event's success and to welcome crews, tourists, and sailing enthusiasts for this important occasion. The goal is to involve the entire region in an event that can be widely promoted and participated in, capable of producing lasting benefits for the region's image and economy."
Marzio Perrelli, CEO of The America's Cup Partnership: "Following the success of the Preliminary Regatta in Cagliari, we are delighted that Naples has confirmed the second Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta from September 24 to 27. The Gulf of Naples is the perfect amphitheatre for America's Cup races. Our thanks go to the Government, Sport e Salute, the City of Naples, and the Campania Region."
