2027 America’s Cup Schedule

The 38th America’s Cup comes to Naples, Italy, in 2027, bringing the world’s most prestigious sailing competition to the spectacular waters of the Bay of Naples. From May 22 through July 18, 2027, the event will feature high-speed racing, international rivalries, and a dramatic showdown for one of the oldest trophies in sport.

The action begins with the Louis Vuitton Cup, where six challenger teams compete for the right to face the defending America’s Cup champion: Emirates Team New Zealand. The competition culminates in the America’s Cup, beginning July 10, 2027.

For sailing enthusiasts, the America’s Cup in Naples promises an extraordinary combination of cutting-edge yacht technology, elite competition, and a scenic course framed by the city’s historic waterfront and Mount Vesuvius. For luxury travelers, the event also offers an opportunity to combine world-class sailing with the culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty of southern Italy.

2027 America’s Cup Schedule at a Glance

Dates are subject to change. Reserve days may be used depending on weather, sailing conditions, and the progress of each series. The America’s Cup concludes when one team reaches seven wins and may finish before July 18.

May 22–23, 2027: Louis Vuitton Cup Fleet Racing
The Louis Vuitton Cup opens with a historic weekend of fleet racing on the Bay of Naples. For the first time in modern America’s Cup history, all seven AC75 yachts (the six challengers and Defender Emirates Team New Zealand) will compete together in fleet races, rather than exclusively in the traditional one-on-one format.

Three fleet races are scheduled each of the two days, giving spectators six opportunities to watch the full field in one of the most visually exciting stages of the competition. Fleet racing presents a different tactical challenge from match racing. Teams must navigate crowded starts, respond to shifting wind conditions, and monitor multiple competitors rather than focusing on a single opponent.

May 26–June 11, 2027: Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robins
Following the opening fleet races, the competition switches to the traditional match racing format. In match racing, two yachts compete head-to-head, with strategy, boat speed, positioning, and crew execution all involved in determining the winner.

The 2027 Louis Vuitton Cup features three round-robin stages, each consisting of 21 races. Each challenger faces every other challenger three times across the series, creating a demanding test of consistency.

At the conclusion of the third round robin, the three highest-ranked challengers advance directly to the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals. The remaining three challengers must compete in the repêchage for the last semi-final berth.

Emirates Team New Zealand also participates in the round-robin racing as preparation for the America’s Cup match, though its results do not count toward the challenger standings.

June 2–6, 2027: Youth America’s Cup
The Youth America’s Cup gives the next generation of sailing talent an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities on the world stage.

Unlike the main America’s Cup competition, which features the larger AC75 yachts, the Youth America’s Cup uses the smaller AC40 foiling monohulls. The competition consists of two fleet races. Points are awarded based on finishing positions, with the team earning the fewest points overall declared the winner.

June 12–13, 2027: Louis Vuitton Cup Repêchage
The Louis Vuitton Cup repêchage is a knockout competition that determines the fourth semi-finalist. The three challengers that did not qualify directly from the round robins compete for the remaining semi-final place. Points decide the winner in this round, which begins with the two lowest ranked (5th and 6th place) challengers facing off. The winner plays the fourth-placed challenger for a berth in the semi-finals.

For spectators, the repêchage weekend brings a new level of excitement as only one team will advance.

June 16–20, 2027: Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals
The four remaining challengers will compete in the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals. This stage offers a compelling combination of elite match racing and high competitive stakes. Each semi-final is decided by the first team to win five races.

The semi-finals are among the most consequential stages of the competition. Only two teams will advance to the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, with the opportunity to challenge Emirates Team New Zealand within reach.

June 26–July 4, 2027: Louis Vuitton Cup Final
The Louis Vuitton Cup Final determines which challenger will earn the right to compete in the America’s Cup against the defender Emirates Team New Zealand. The two semi-final winners face one another in a Best-of-13 series. The first team to win seven races claims the Louis Vuitton Cup and advances to the America’s Cup.

For experienced sailing fans, the Louis Vuitton Cup Final is one of the defining moments of the event. It determines whether a challenger has the combination of speed, strategy, and resilience necessary to take on the defending champion.

July 5–9, 2027: Women’s America’s Cup
Following the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, the attention turns to the elite female sailors competing in the Women’s America’s Cup. Like the Youth America’s Cup, teams compete in high-performance AC40 foiling monohulls, in a series of fleet races. Points are awarded based on finishing positions, with the team earning the fewest points overall declared the winner.

July 10–18, 2027: Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Match
The 38th America’s Cup reaches its pinnacle when Emirates Team New Zealand faces the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup, beginning on Saturday, July 10. The format is a best-of-13 match-racing series, with the first team to win seven races becoming the America’s Cup champion.

Every race of the America’s Cup is a direct contest between two of the world’s most advanced sailing yachts. The New Zealand team will be seeking a fourth consecutive America’s Cup win, while its challenger will attempt to end that remarkable run.

Once the last race is complete, only one team will claim victory and lift the America’s Cup, affectionately known as the Auld Mug, along with the right to defend it at the next edition.

The 38th America’s Cup marks the first time the America’s Cup will be held in Italy. Naples will provide a remarkable setting for the event. Racing will take place in the Bay of Naples, close to the city’s waterfront, with Mount Vesuvius providing a dramatic backdrop. Italy has a passionate America’s Cup following, and the opportunity to watch the competition on Italian waters adds another layer of excitement to the 2027 edition.

Of course, the yachts themselves are part of the attraction. The AC75s are technologically advanced foiling monohulls designed to lift above the water, reducing drag and achieving extraordinary speeds. The 2027 America’s Cup will introduce a new opening fleet racing format, creating a rare opportunity to see all seven AC75s racing together before the event moves into its traditional match racing stages.

Beyond the racing, Naples offers wonderful possibilities for a luxury Italian vacation, from its renowned culinary traditions and historic attractions to the nearby Amalfi Coast, Capri, and the wider Campania region.

The 2027 America’s Cup schedule offers a number of opportunities to visit Naples, depending on which stages of the competition interest you most.

• The opening fleet races allow you to witness all seven boats racing together before the one-on-one competitions begin.

• The Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals and Final offer the chance to see the strongest challengers compete for the right to face Emirates Team New Zealand.

• The America’s Cup Match in July provides the ultimate championship experience, with the one of oldest trophies in international sport at stake.

Explore Roadtrips’ 2027 America’s Cup packages in Naples, Italy.