Naples, September 24, 2026 — The Gulf of Naples is officially entering the atmosphere of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup.
Today marked the opening of the Naples Preliminary Regatta, with the official practice races providing the first real opportunity for the teams to compete in the waters that will host the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America’s Cup Match in 2027.
And for Italy, the opening could hardly have been more exciting.
Luna Rossa dominated all three practice races held today, winning every one of them. At certain stages, the Italian crew managed to build a lead of almost 500 metres over its closest competitors.
Conditions in the Gulf allowed the AC40 foiling monohulls to show their extraordinary performance. At around 2:00 p.m., a sea breeze of approximately 10 to 12 knots provided excellent racing conditions, with the boats reaching speeds well above 30 knots.
Nine AC40s and Six Teams in the Gulf of Naples
Today was primarily a practice day. The races counting towards the official standings begin tomorrow, Friday, September 25.
Six teams and nine AC40s are currently in Naples. For the first time in this America’s Cup cycle, the crews are competing on the same waters they will return to in 2027.
The day began with the skippers’ press conference on the terrace of Castel dell’Ovo, against the spectacular backdrop of the Gulf of Naples.
The crews also highlighted one particularly interesting technical characteristic of the Naples racecourse: winds can be variable and gusty, influenced by the coastline, the urban landscape and the hills surrounding the Gulf.
Naples Is Already Looking Ahead to 2027
Today’s sporting results are important, but what is happening around the competition is equally significant.
Thousands of sailing enthusiasts have arrived in Naples, while numerous boats and superyachts are gathering in the Gulf. Visitors can also experience the event from the Public Village along Lungomare Caracciolo.
The Naples Preliminary Regatta therefore offers a fascinating preview of what the city will experience in 2027, when Naples becomes the centre of the international sailing world for the 38th America’s Cup.
Tomorrow the official races begin, and we will discover whether Luna Rossa can transform the impressive performance shown during today’s practice races into results that count towards the standings.
From Villa Amalia, we will continue following the Road to the America’s Cup Naples 2027, bringing you the latest news from the races as well as the events and experiences surrounding this extraordinary international competition.
And for those planning to visit the region, the America’s Cup will also provide a unique opportunity to discover Naples, Campania and the Amalfi Coast during one of the most important sporting events ever hosted in Southern Italy.
