No America’s Cup in Auckland

With a June 2025 deadline to reveal the venue for the 38h America’s Cup, defender Team New Zealand has confirmed that their home of Auckland is no longer a consideration. When The Ocean Race 2027 revealed their course would have Auckland as a stopover in March 2027, the writing was on the wall as the AC racing would likely be held at a similar time.

It’s understood Team NZ was looking for around 150 million NZD (81.2m USD) to secure hosting rights, with half of that coming from taxpayers. As for the promise of a financial windfall that had been reported from the previous America’s Cup, Finance Minister Nicola Willis wasn’t so sure. “I think that those numbers are questionable… there would have to be a lot of analysis to ascertain whether that was the case, and I’m not sure that I accept that would have been the case.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon noted how his government had inherited a very messy set of economic books. “I think most New Zealanders would sit there and go, ‘What’s the choice, actually upgrading regional provincial hospitals across New Zealand or actually investing in America’s Cup?’ and it’s pretty clear to me that actually New Zealanders want us to invest in proper infrastructure. We have a responsibility to be very grown-up and responsible with taxpayers’ money.”

Here’s a statement from the team:

Since winning the 37th America’s Cup in October last year, The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Emirates Team New Zealand have been intent on exploring the possibility of hosting the 38th America’s Cup in Auckland with the understanding it would take a combination of private backing, Local Government as well as Central Government support to make it happen, but not at the expense of funding other priorities in the tough economic climate.

In this time, the team have had comfort in the level of private support and have been working with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited who have been proactively spearheading the bid. So, it is with both disappointment and understanding to hear MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) and Central Government have decided not to back the 38th America’s Cup in Auckland in 2027.

While the significant economic benefits of hosting the America’s Cup and other major events are well proven, such as €1.034b ($1.9b NZD) of economic benefits in Barcelona in 2024, we understand there are other priorities for the New Zealand Government right now.

Details: https://www.americascup.com/

Defender New Zealand will work with the Challenger of Record from Great Britain to organize the 38th America’s Cup. Anticipated to be held in 2027, the two teams have agreed on some details with the venue to be confirmed by June 2025 after Barcelona declined hosting another edition.