The America's Cup explained in 3 easy points

The America’s Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy in the world, first contested in 1851 in a race around the Isle of Wight. It could also claim to be the most unfair competition in all sports because the winner – the "Defender" – gets to choose the venue for the next edition, and in large part sets the rules of engagement.

Part of the mystery and allure of the America's Cup is that it is not contested on a level playing field, literally or metaphorically. The deck is skewed heavily in favour of the Defender, who is guaranteed a place in the final match.

Read our comprehensive guide to the America's Cup 2024, hosted in Barcelona.

The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Barcelona begins with the Preliminary Regattas that will serve as warm-up races ahead of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series). The first preliminary regatta was held in Vilanova i La Geltrú, Spain, in September 2023, before the teams headed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta Jeddah between November and December 2023. The third and last preliminary regatta will be in August 2024 in Barcelona.

During the Barcelona Preliminary Regatta, all six America’s Cup teams will compete in their new AC75s for the first time. The teams participating in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup 2024 include: the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand; the Challenger of Record, INEOS Britannia; and the Challengers, Alinghi Red Bull Racing, NYYC American Magic, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and Orient Express Racing Team.

Although the Preliminary Regatta points do not count towards progression or elimination, it is a good chance for competitors to eye up the competition ahead of the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) on 29 August.

The America’s Cup is a match race, one against one, and is sailing’s equivalent of a boxing match. First, the challenger teams must battle each other in a series of regattas to find out which team has earned the right to take on the Defender in the America’s Cup itself (who will always have a space).

The Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup consists of five events taking place between 22 August and 27 October 2024 in Barcelona. These include the Barcelona Preliminary Regatta, the Louis Vuitton Cup, the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup, the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, and the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup.

The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup will kick off with the start of the third and final Preliminary Regatta on 22 August and will run through to 25 August 2024.

The Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) will take place between 29 August to 7 October. This determines which team will face the Defender (Emirates Team New Zealand) in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match.

In the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match, the Defender (Emirates Team New Zealand) will take on the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series). There is no second place – you either win or lose. It is a first to seven points Match, where the winner scores one point for each race won and the loser scores zero. The first team to score seven points will become the Defender of the 38th America’s Cup.