For the first time in its history, the America’s Cup is being raced in Italy. The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup takes place in the Bay of Naples between May and July 2027, on a racecourse just metres from the shore: the AC75s, the Cup’s flying monohulls, will pass in front of Via Caracciolo with Vesuvius on the horizon.
This guide sets out the full schedule, from the Louis Vuitton Cup to the Match, the teams racing, the best places to watch and how to choose where to stay — booking early for the busiest weeks.
Louis Vuitton 38ª America's Cup
The dates: from the Louis Vuitton Cup to the Match
The America’s Cup comes in two halves. First the challengers race each other in the Louis Vuitton Cup; then the winner takes on the Defender in the Match. The schedule announced by the organisers:
| Stage | 2027 dates | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Fleet racing | 22-23 May | the opening: every AC75 on the water together |
| Round Robin 1 and 2 | 26-31 May | match races, every team against the others |
| Round Robin 3 | 9-11 June | the last round before the knockouts |
| Repechage | 12-13 June | the top three challengers go through, the rest fight for the last place |
| Semi-finals | 16-20 June | first to 5 points wins |
| Louis Vuitton Cup Final | from 26-27 June | first to 7 points; it can run on to 3-4 July |
| The Match | from 10-11 July | challenger against Defender, first to 7 races |
The Match can run to thirteen races: if it goes the distance, the last scheduled day is Monday 19 July, though the wind can push everything back by a few days. Dates can change: check them on the official website before booking your trip.
Who is racing
- Emirates Team New Zealand (New Zealand): the Defender, the team that holds the Cup and defends it.
- GB1 (United Kingdom), led by Sir Ben Ainslie: the Challenger of Record, the challenger that negotiated the rules with the Defender.
- Luna Rossa (Italy), racing at home.
- Tudor Team Alinghi (Switzerland), La Roche-Posay Racing Team (France), Team Australia and American Racing Challenger Team USA (United States).
Seven AC75s in all: monohulls of more than twenty metres that fly on foils, with five sailors on board.
Where the racing is and where to watch it
The racecourse sits in front of the city seafront, very close to shore: you do not need a boat to watch. The Race Village is planned for Via Caracciolo, while the team bases are at Bagnoli, on the site of the former steelworks, where a fan zone with big screens is also planned.
- The Via Caracciolo seafront and the Rotonda Diaz: front row on the racecourse.
- Borgo Marinari and Castel dell’Ovo: a balcony over the bay, a few steps from Santa Lucia.
- Posillipo and Vomero: from Via Petrarca, Via Orazio or the terrace of Via Aniello Falcone you see the whole course from above.
- From the water: in the designated spectator areas, following the rules published by the organisers.
Tickets. The preliminary regatta of September 2026 was watched for free from the seafront and from a Race Village that was open to everyone. For 2027 the organisers have announced grandstands and hospitality areas as well, but prices and sales have not been published yet.
The dress rehearsal: September 2026
Naples has already had a taste of it: the preliminary regatta of 24-27 September 2026, sailed in AC40s in front of the Rotonda Diaz, with a free Race Village on the seafront and Via Caracciolo closed to traffic for spectators.
Where to stay for the America’s Cup
The choice depends on how close to the water you want to be, and on what else you want to do in Naples between races.
- Chiaia and the seafront: you walk down to the Race Village, and in the evening you are in the most elegant part of the city, between aperitivi and walks along the sea. The easiest choice if you are coming for the racing.
- Mergellina and Posillipo: views over the bay and a quieter feel, a walk from the racecourse. Posillipo is the more practical option if you have a car.
- Centro Storico and Via Toledo: more choice and all of Naples outside your door; the seafront is a Line 2 ride or a walk of half an hour and more.
- Vomero: residential and panoramic, connected to the centre by the funiculars, with terraces looking over the whole bay.
Below are a few apartments between Chiaia, the seafront and Posillipo, minutes from the racecourse:
Via Niccolò Tommaseo 4 - appartamento 4
Oven · Couch · Air conditioning · WiFi
from €100 per night
Check availability — Via Niccolò Tommaseo 4 - appartamento 4 — apartment in Naples (opens in a new tab)
Bisignano 11
Couch · Air conditioning · WiFi · No smoking
from €90 per night
Check availability — Bisignano 11 — apartment in Naples (opens in a new tab)
Caracciolo at Residenza Partanna
Air conditioning · WiFi · No smoking · Working Desk
from €98 per night
Check availability — Caracciolo at Residenza Partanna — apartment in Naples (opens in a new tab)
Casa Petrarca
Oven · Microwave · Couch · Air conditioning
from €120 per night
Check availability — Casa Petrarca — apartment in Naples (opens in a new tab)For a week of racing, as a couple or as a family, an apartment gives you what matters: more space, a kitchen and the freedom to come back whenever you like. Half of our 370 apartments in Naples start at €91 a night or less; cleaning and the tourist tax are charged separately.
👉 See all our homes in Naples, or choose your neighbourhood with our guide on where to stay in Naples.
- Naples492 homes
When to book
The busiest weeks will be the Louis Vuitton Cup final, at the end of June, and above all the Match, in July, when the America’s Cup lands on top of the high season in Naples, along the coast and on the islands. If your dates are set, book early: it is the surest way to find a place in the area you want.
May and the first weeks of June suit anyone who wants to combine the racing with a quieter holiday: long days, pleasant temperatures and a city you can walk without the August heat.
Getting around
- Line 6: the seafront metro, from Fuorigrotta to Municipio via Mergellina, Arco Mirelli, San Pasquale and Chiaia. At weekends it currently closes at 2.50pm: check the times on the ANM website.
- Line 2: from Piazza Garibaldi, the central station, to Mergellina and Piazza Amedeo, and on towards Campi Flegrei and Bagnoli, where the team bases are.
- Line 1: links Garibaldi, the Centro Storico, Toledo and Vomero; change at Municipio for Line 6.
- From the airport: the Alibus runs to Piazza Garibaldi and to the port at Molo Beverello.
Frequently asked questions
When is the America’s Cup in Naples?
Between May and July 2027. The Louis Vuitton Cup, the challenger selection series, starts on 22 May and its final is sailed from 26 June; the Match for the Cup begins on the weekend of 10-11 July and can run until around 19 July.
Where does the racing take place?
In the Bay of Naples, in front of the city seafront and very close to shore. The Race Village is planned for Via Caracciolo and the team bases are at Bagnoli.
Do you need tickets for the America’s Cup?
Not for the seafront: it is a public space, and the 2026 preliminary regatta was free to watch. The organisers have announced grandstands and hospitality areas for 2027, but prices and sales have not been published yet.
Which teams are taking part in the 2027 America’s Cup?
Seven: Emirates Team New Zealand, defending the Cup, and six challengers — GB1, Luna Rossa, Tudor Team Alinghi, La Roche-Posay Racing Team, Team Australia and American Racing Challenger Team USA.
Which is the best area to stay for the America’s Cup?
Chiaia and the seafront, within walking distance of the Race Village and the racecourse. Mergellina and Posillipo give you views over the bay; the Centro Storico gives you more choice, with Line 2 to reach the sea.
How much does it cost to stay in Naples during the America’s Cup?
Today half of our apartments in Naples start at €91 a night or less, cleaning aside. The tourist tax for short lets is €6 per person per night. Demand will be high during the Match weeks: book early.
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