Listen: Everything you need to know about the America's Cup 2024

Taking place in Barcelona, the start of the 37th America’s Cup is fast approaching. In anticipation of this, BOAT brings you the latest news and dates for your calendar in our everything-you-need-to-know guide. Get ready for three months of high-octane racing.

How does the America's Cup race work?

The oldest international sporting trophy in the world, the America's Cup sees some of the world’s most talented sailors battle it out for the coveted America's Cup trophy. The Preliminary Regatta in Barcelona – 22 to 25 August – will see teams race in AC75 boats, which have eight sailors. Not only is it a regatta about resilience among sailors, but the America's Cup is also about engineering the fastest boat.

Between 12-17 October, the final two teams will race for the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup trophy one-on-one. The Defender – Emirates Team New Zealand – is already guaranteed a place in the final match, part of the allure of the regatta, and the first team to win seven races wins the Cup.

Why is it called the America's Cup?

Dating back to 1851, the America's Cup was originally called the Hundred Guinea Cup. It all started when the New York Yacht Club entered their 30-metre schooner, America, into the Royal Yacht Squadron’s 53-mile race around the Isle of Wight. The winning team returned to New York with the cup in hand – and the Cup was soon renamed for the winning vessel.

Where and when is the next America's Cup?

The 37th America's Cup will be hosted in Barcelona. Other regattas will take place between August and October – including the Barcelona Preliminary Regatta, the Louis Vuitton Cup, the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup and the Puig Women’s America’s Cup – before the 37th America's Cup will conclude the months of sailing in October. Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup is a first-to-seven-wins series which will kick off from 12 October 2024.

Who holds the America's Cup currently?

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron currently holds the America's Cup after successfully defending the 36th America's Cup in March 2021.

About the America’s Cup Race Village

Located along the Moll de la Fusta on the northern side of Port Vell, the official Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Race Village is the first stop for fans and spectators coming to the event. Envisioned as the heart of the event, it will have four huge screens to display all the day’s action along with commentary. It’s also where post-race sailor interviews will take place an hour after racing.

There will be food, music, art, culture and design in 24,500 square metres of dedicated space, and admission is free. In addition, there will be dedicated America’s Cup Corners, America’s Cup sponsor activities as well as Host Venue Partners “Vila del Mar” exhibits in the fan zones and at the Race Village, where visitors can immerse themselves in the regatta, its rules, history, competing teams and sailor profiles.

Race Village schedule

12.00pm to 2.00pm (local time) Pre-race show with build-up to the day’s racing.
2.00pm to 4.30pm Live racing with full expert commentary (on race days).
4.30pm to 6.00pm Entertainment followed by sailors’ interviews one hour after racing has concluded.
6.30pm to 10.00pm Evening entertainment with live music and food.

Where can I watch the America's Cup in the UK and outside of Barcelona?

Watch all the action online:

YouTube

The action is live on race days from 2pm GMT. Previous races will also
be available. youtube.com/@americascup

facebook

Racing goes live on race days at 2pm GMT on the America’s Cup Facebook page. Full replays are available immediately after the races. facebook.com/americascup

Who is competing in America's Cup 2024?

Five teams answered the Defender’s Call per the AC Deed of Gift and will compete for the Louis Vuitton Cup to challenge the reigning Emirates Team New Zealand. The AC75 design rules introduced in 2018 and the boats they produced for the 37th Cup have been tweaked to cut two crew, lighten overall hull weight and increase foil size to promote faster flight. Meet the players below.

The Defender: Emirates Team New Zealand

Yacht: Taihoro
Country: New Zealand
CEO: Grant Dalton
Helmsman: Peter Burling
New Zealand’s national team is sailing for Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and has won the Cup four times.

The challenger of record: INEOS Britannia

Yacht: Britannia
Country: Britain
CEO: Sir Ben Ainslie
Helmsman: Sir Ben Ainslie
The British team is backed by INEOS founder and chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe and working with Ben Ainslie Racing. It’s sailing for the Royal Yacht Squadron to bring the Cup back to the UK for the first time since 1851.

The challengers: American Magic

Yacht: Patriot
Country: America
CEO: Mike Cazer
President: Terry Hutchinson
Helmsman: Terry Hutchinson
The US team is sailing for New York Yacht Club and looks to bring the Cup back to America for the first time since 2013. It originally held the Cup from inception in 1851 until losing to Australia in 1983. The team has won 25 times.

The challengers: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team

Yacht: Tifosi
Country: Italy
Chairman: Patrizio Bertelli
Helmsmen: Max Sirena, Francesco Bruni, Jimmy Spithill
The Italian team has a long America’s Cup history going back to the Azzura syndicate in 1983. Backed by Prada and Pirelli, the team is sailing for Circolo della Vela Sicilia.

The challengers: Alinghi Red Bull Racing

Yacht: Boat One
Country: Switzerland
Chairman: Ernesto Bertarelli
Helmsmen: Maxime Bachelin, Nicolas Charbonnier
The Swiss team returns to the Cup after a hiatus. This collaboration between backers Alinghi and Red Bull Racing F1 team is sailing for Société Nautique de Genève.

The challengers: Orient Express Racing Team

Yacht: Orient Express
Country: France
CEOs: Bruno Dubois, Stephan Kandler
Helmsmen: Quentin Delapierre, Kevin Peponnet
The French team is new. Backed by Accor and Renault Alpine F1, the team is sailing for Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez.