The 37th America’s Cup concluded on 19 October 2024, with Emirates Team New Zealand defeating INEOS Britannia seven points to two and becoming the only team in America's Cup history to win the Cup three times. Find out where the 38th America's Cup is being held in our everything-you-need-to-know guide.
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 saw 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.
The final two teams then raced for the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup trophy one-on-one. The Defender – Emirates Team New Zealand – was already guaranteed a place in the final match, part of the allure of the regatta, while INEOS Britannia secured its spot in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final for the first time since 1964, moving one step closer to being the first British team to win the America’s Cup.
The first team to win seven races wins the Cup and, although INEOS Britannia took two races off the defender, it was Emirates Team New Zealand who emerged victorious and won the 37th America's Cup 2024.
Read More/Sir Ben Ainslie on INEOS Britannia securing its spot in the Louis Vuitton Cup FinalWhy 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 going to be?
The venue and dates for the 38th America's Cup are yet to be confirmed. The 37th America's Cup was hosted in Barcelona, alongside the Barcelona Preliminary Regatta, the Louis Vuitton Cup, the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup and the Puig Women’s America’s Cup.
Who holds the America's Cup currently?
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron currently holds the America's Cup after successfully defending the 37th America's Cup in October 2024.
Read More/The America's Cup explained in 3 easy pointsDates for your diary
The Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup consisted of five events between 22 August and 27 October 2024 in Barcelona: Barcelona Preliminary Regatta, Louis Vuitton Cup, Unicredit Youth America’s Cup, Puig Women’s America’s Cup, and the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup.
21 August: Preliminary Regatta Practice day
22 to 25 August: Barcelona Preliminary Regatta (four races per day)
29 August to 7 October: Louis Vuitton Cup
29/08 to 08/09: Round Robins 1 & 2
14/09 to 19/09: Louis Vuitton Semi Final
26/09 to 07/10: Louis Vuitton Cup Final
17 to 26 September: Unicredit Youth America’s Cup
17/08 to 21/09: Qualification Series
22/09: Final Series
26/09: Match Race Final
5 to 13 October: Puig Women’s America’s Cup
05/10 and 09/10: Qualification Series
11/10: Final Series
13/10: Match Race Final
12 to 27 October: the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup
Match racing between the Louis Vuitton Cup winner and Defender Emirates Team New Zealand. The first team to win seven races wins the Cup.
About the 37th 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 was the first stop for fans and spectators coming to the event. Envisioned as the heart of the event, it had four huge screens to display all the day’s action along with commentary. It’s also where post-race sailor interviews took place an hour after racing.
There was food, music, art, culture and design in 24,500 square metres of dedicated space, and admission was free. In addition, there was a dedicated America’s Cup Corner, America’s Cup sponsor activities as well as Host Venue Partners "Vila del Mar" exhibitions in the fan zones and at the Race Village, where visitors could 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?
Spectators could watch all the action online:
YouTube
The action was live on race days from 2.00pm GMT. Previous races were also available. youtube.com/@americascup
Racing went live on race days at 2.00pm GMT on the America’s Cup Facebook page. Full replays were available immediately after the races. facebook.com/americascup
Who competed in the America's Cup 2024?
Five teams answered the Defender’s Call per the AC Deed of Gift and competed 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 were tweaked to cut two crew, lighten overall hull weight and increase foil size to promote faster flight. Below are the 2024 players.
Read More/Winds of change: how AC40 boats are advancing women’s racing at the highest international levelThe Defender: Emirates Team New Zealand
Yacht: Taihoro
Country: New Zealand
CEO: Grant Dalton
Helmsman: Peter Burling
New Zealand’s national team was sailing for Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and had won the Cup twice prior to winning the 37th America's Cup.
The challenger of record: INEOS Britannia
Yacht: Britannia
Country: Britain
CEO: Sir Ben Ainslie
Helmsman: Sir Ben Ainslie
The British team was backed by INEOS founder and chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe and worked with Ben Ainslie Racing. The team sailed for the Royal Yacht Squadron to bring the Cup back to the UK for the first time since 1851, although it was ultimately defeated by Emirates Team New Zealand.
The challengers: American Magic
Yacht: Patriot
Country: America
CEO: Mike Cazer
President: Terry Hutchinson
Helmsman: Terry Hutchinson
The US team sailed for the New York Yacht Club and hoped 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 sailed 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 returned to the Cup after a hiatus. This collaboration between backers Alinghi and Red Bull Racing F1 team sailed 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 was new in 2024. Backed by Accor and Renault Alpine F1, the team sailed for Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez.