MSC Cruises has signed on as Global Cruises Partner of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup, aligning the company with sailing's showpiece event as it prepares to descend on Naples.
It is a fitting moment for the tie-up. Naples is a Mediterranean port, and the Mediterranean is where much of MSC's own story is rooted.
Under the agreement, MSC Cruises gains worldwide partnership rights and visibility across the entire America's Cup programme, covering the Preliminary Regattas, the Youth and Women's America's Cup Regattas, the Challenger Selection Series, and the Match itself.
For MSC, the fit goes beyond logo placement. The cruise line points to shared values with the Cup, innovation, precision, teamwork, and a passion for the sea, as qualities that run through its own fleet operations too.
MSC Cruises' Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, said the partnership brings the company into one of the most iconic arenas in international sport, at a moment when the America's Cup returns to the Mediterranean in Naples. "It gives us a distinctive platform to engage guests, partners and audiences around the world through a shared passion for the sea, performance and innovation," he said.
Grant Dalton, Chairman of the America's Cup Partnership, welcomed the news. "Our relationship with MSC Cruises is a long-standing one based on shared values, and one that we truly appreciate," Dalton said. "The company's relationship with the America's Cup goes back decades and their journey very much mirrors ours in the modern era. Having MSC Cruises onboard with us in Naples is an honour and we look forward to working with Pierfrancesco and his team throughout AC38."
Marzio Perrelli, CEO of the America's Cup Partnership, echoed that sentiment. "MSC Cruises is a valued global partner to the America's Cup and their support of the main event plus the Women and Youth Regattas is greatly appreciated," Perrelli said. "As a prestigious partner with values that reflect our own and a deep connection with the sea, MSC Cruises and the America's Cup can set sail for the long term and we look forward to working together through the Preliminary Regatta and the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup events."
The deal marks another step in MSC Cruises' wider sponsorship push, which has seen the company build its global sports presence to widen brand reach across key markets.
There is history here already. In 2024, MSC Group's luxury brand Explora Journeys was a Global Partner of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, and also partnered with Emirates Team New Zealand, a connection that will interest Kiwi sailing fans following the build-up to AC38.
MSC's sports portfolio doesn't stop at sailing, either. The company is also Global Partner of Formula 1, Premium Partner of the BWT Alpine Formula One Team, and Official Main Partner of Tudor Pro Cycling Team, part of a sponsorship map that now stretches well beyond the water.
