Discover everything about the thrilling 2024 America’s Cup in Barcelona. From its rich history to the competing teams and the innovative AC75 boats, this competition is a showcase of elite sailing. We provide the key dates and the details of its staging in the capital of the Mediterranean. We invite you to immerse yourself in the world of sailing and experience the passion of the 2024 America’s Cup.
The 2024 America’s Cup offers the chance to witness the feats of the world’s most talented sailors as they challenge the forces of nature on open water. It is a celebration of human skill, naval engineering and sporting competition in its purest form.
At Motyvel, we want to dive into every aspect of this fascinating tournament, from its historical roots to its most exciting details. Here we will tell you the date of the next America’s Cup, which will take place in Barcelona, Spain, along with other points of interest so you can follow the tournament closely. Our passion for sailing, our connections within the nautical community and our experience in nautical events make us the right experts for the job.
If you are looking for a comprehensive, passionate perspective on the America’s Cup, discover with us the excitement and grandeur of this long-awaited 2024 tournament.
What is the America’s Cup?
The name “America’s Cup” originates from the name of the schooner that won the first edition of the regatta: the schooner America.
The America’s Cup is, without a doubt, the most prominent and revered competition in the world of sailing. The anticipation surrounding the 2024 edition is largely due to its rich history and its status as one of the oldest sporting events in the world, with 174 years of tradition. It holds the title of the oldest sporting event in history, with an impressive legacy dating back to 1851. To put its longevity into perspective, the America’s Cup began its tradition of nautical challenges before the modern Olympic Games, which started in 1896.
Since its beginnings, it has witnessed the evolution of nautical technology and sailing skill. Each edition brings revolutionary advances in boat design and racing strategy, making the America’s Cup a laboratory of innovation and excellence in sailing.
This competition represents the essence of elite sailing, bringing together teams from different yacht clubs around the world in a thrilling showdown for the famous Silver Cup. The winning team becomes the custodian of this prestigious trophy until another team challenges it and it is obliged to defend the Cup in a new regatta.
Where and when is the 2024 America’s Cup held?
The 2024 America’s Cup is set in the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona, known as the “capital of the Mediterranean”, is a perfect choice for this elite competition thanks to its privileged location on the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and its rich maritime history. The Catalan city has proven its expertise in organising top-level sporting events, making it an ideal venue to host this prestigious regatta.
The races will run from Port Vell to Port Olímpic or Port Fòrum, depending on wind conditions. The public will have the chance to follow the races from the city’s beaches free of charge. In addition, strategic viewing areas will be set up for better visibility, offering a unique opportunity to witness these extraordinary boats in action, popularly known as the “Formula 1 of the sea”.
The 2024 America’s Cup is scheduled to take place between August and October, offering thrilling racing on the Mediterranean Sea
The opening ceremony will take place on 22 August 2024, and the event will consist of several stages culminating in the final match, scheduled for October. However, since the summer of 2023 the boats have already been seen out training.
So you don’t miss a single moment of the 2024 America’s Cup, here are the key dates:
- 22 August. Official opening of the 37th edition of the America’s Cup.
- 23 August. Start of the final preliminary regatta, with all the teams competing for the first time aboard the AC75s.
- Late August to early October. Challenger Selection Series, to determine the team that will face the current defender of the Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand.
- Late August to early October. To determine the team that will face the current defender of the Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand.
- 26 September to 16 October. Staging of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup and the Youth America’s Cup.
- 12 to 20 October. Start of the America’s Cup Match, a 13-race competition pitting the current defender of the Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand, against the winning team of the Challenger Selection Series. The first team to reach 7 points will become the winner of the 37th America’s Cup, and the defender of the 38th edition.
Competing teams
Six elite teams will line up at the start of the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona. The teams’ bases will be located in the Port Vell area, which will become the epicentre of activity for the 2024 America’s Cup.
The America’s Cup’s unique format grants the trophy’s defender the automatic right to compete in the America’s Cup Match Final, while the challengers hold a series of regattas to determine the best team to face them.
The two main teams are:
- Emirates Team New Zealand (New Zealand). Current holder of the America’s Cup, this team represents the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
- INEOS Britannia (United Kingdom). This team is the Challenger of Record, mounting the first challenge to Emirates Team New Zealand.
- Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Switzerland).
- Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Italy).
- American Magic New York Yacht Club (United States).
- Orient Express Racing Team (France).
In addition to the main competitions, this edition also includes two further tournaments: the Youth America’s Cup and the Women’s America’s Cup, which will pit representatives of the six America’s Cup syndicates against six other invited teams. Only six teams will qualify for the finals, and the top two will go through to the final that decides the winner. A Spanish team, SailTeamBCN, will take part in both competitions, bringing local spirit to the global sailing stage.
Boats to be used in the 2024 America’s Cup
The true protagonists of the 2024 America’s Cup are the AC75 boats, which can be described as the “Formula 1 of the sea”.
These boats incorporate cutting-edge technology, featuring hydrofoils that allow them to literally rise above the water, reaching astonishing speeds of over 50 knots, the equivalent of almost 100 km/h. The AC75s are the embodiment of innovation and speed in competitive sailing.
Alongside the AC75s, there is also another category of boats, the AC40s, which will be used in the youth and women’s competitions, as well as in the first preliminary regattas. The AC40s are the younger siblings of the AC75s, though no less exciting for it.
A highlight of the 2024 America’s Cup is its commitment to sustainability. For the first time, the support vessels will run on hydrogen, marking a significant step towards more environmentally friendly practices in elite competitive sailing.
The 2024 America’s Cup promises to be an unforgettable event in the beautiful city of Barcelona. With its thrilling races, cutting-edge technology and the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop, this competition will represent the very best of world sailing.
