Wed, August 13, 2025
The America’s Cup, the oldest international competition still in operation, to undergo modernisation for 2027
The America’s Cup, a sailing competition and the oldest international competition still operating in any sport, will modernise through changes such as ensuring the teams included in the 38th America’s Cup in 2027, taking place in Naples, Italy, share equal governance under the America’s Cup Partnership (ACP), by introducing measures that increase inclusivity for women, and by increasing the function of the boat powered by battery, as reported by Reuters. One of the main aims of this is to grow the sport globally.
The Defender of the America’s Cup, The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, represented by Team New Zealand, and the Challenger of Record (COR), The Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, represented by Britain’s Athena Racing, recently signed the Protocol that governs these changes and establishes equal authority between the participating teams.
The COR is the first yacht club to officially challenge the defending club for the prestigious sailing trophy.
Regarding inclusivity, there must now be at least one female crew member on board. Two sailors, including the female sailor, must be nationals of the country represented by the yacht club, but a maximum of two non-nationals are also able to join the crew.
“The crew of the AC75s will consist of five sailors, with increased function of the boat powered by battery,” organisers stated.
“The nationality clause requires that two sailors plus the female sailor must be a national of the country of the competitor but will allow up to two non-nationals to sail on board as well.”
A 75-million-euro cost cap has also been given to each team, so spending is easier to control.
The Protocol also stipulates that all existing teams will use the same AC75 hulls that were raced in the 37th America’s Cup if available. AC75 foiling monohull vessels are 75-foot long, single-hulled boats designed to lift out of the water on hydrofoils to reach incredibly high speeds.
The ACP will control the Cup’s on and off-water format, along with media and commercial rights.
The Cup stated: “In an exciting move to maximise commercial, media, and fan engagement, the teams will carry one guest racer onboard their AC75 during races. VIPs, sponsors, media, influencers and dignitaries will get to experience first-hand and report exactly what it is like to race onboard the most technological boats in the world, going head-to-head in the heat of battle.”
Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton voiced:
“As the three-time successive winner and Defender of the America's Cup and along with the RNZYS (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron) as current Trustee, we feel the responsibility to continue to drive the growth of the America's Cup event…
Although the America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport and the pinnacle of sailing, its Achilles heel has always been its lack of continuity, so this transformation now gives all teams collective stewardship…
By negotiating this Protocol and the America's Cup Partnership with the Challenger of Record, it provides certainty for teams, commercial partners, and event venues to invest for multiple editions.”
Athena Racing CEO and Team Principal Sir Ben Ainslie said:
“This is a seismic moment for the America’s Cup. The Partnership Agreement fundamentally reshapes the governance and organisation of the event. The teams and yacht clubs share a vision to make the America’s Cup more inclusive, compelling, and financially sustainable. This new model marks a unified commitment to that vision. I am excited for the future of the sport.”
New York Yacht Club Commodore Jay Cross expressed: “As the founding Trustee of the America’s Cup, we are completely supportive of the move to modernise the oldest sporting trophy in the world.”
The Cup’s official statement, along with the full Protocol, can be found here.
