Five teams commit to 38th America’s Cup

(December 22, 2025) – Five founding teams of the America’s Cup Partnership (ACP) have been revealed, with this newly established entity for the competition seeking to provide long-term stability and growth of the America’s Cup.

The five founding teams are:
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL)
• Athena Racing (GBR)
• Luna Rossa (ITA)
• Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI)
• K-Challenge (FRA)

This follows the Protocol agreement between Emirates Team New Zealand as Defender and Athena Racing as Challenger of Record announced in August 2025, which set the terms for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in Naples and paved the way for the America’s Cup Partnership.

“This is about preserving what makes the America’s Cup extraordinary while building a sustainable model that benefits everyone who shares our passion for this great competition,” said Grant Dalton, CEO of Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand. “We are securing the position of the America’s Cup at the pinnacle of innovation and professional sport for decades to come.”

Sir Ben Ainslie, Team Principal of Athena Racing adds, “The ACP will ensure the America’s Cup remains the ultimate proving ground for the world’s best sailors and technological advancements. It allows us to continue pushing the boundaries of naval architecture and sailing technology, maintaining the Cup’s tradition as a catalyst for innovation, while providing the stability needed to grow our audience.”

Key features of the new Partnership include:

BIENNIAL CYCLE
A commitment to a regular, fixed racing calendar of an America’s Cup every two years — creating a set moment that fans can look forward to, growing the race’s global audience and fanbase, and allowing teams, sponsors and broadcasters to plan ahead and invest long term.

INDEPENDENT MANAGEMENT
An independent, best-in-class management team focused solely on delivering sporting excellence and commercial opportunity for the America’s Cup, whilst ensuring consistent operations from one event to the next.

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
Shared revenues and new cost control measures creating higher levels of competition and a more level playing field, while also ensuring the America’s Cup remains at the forefront of sailing innovation.

FUTURE FOCUSED
A continued commitment to the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup, creating accessible and diverse pathways into the sport — including at least one female onboard the AC75 race boat at the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup.

Additional Quotes:
Max Sirena, CEO Luna Rossa:
“The birth of the America’s Cup Partnership marks a historic moment for the oldest competition in international sport. Luna Rossa has chosen to join a project aimed at ensuring stability, sustainability, and continuity for the America’s Cup, while respecting its values and its capacity for innovation. A responsible choice toward the sport, our fans, and future generations of Italian sailors.”

Ernesto Bertarelli, owner of Tudor Team Alinghi:
“This partnership is the embodiment of a collective commitment to further elevating sailing on the global sporting stage, whilst remaining true to the America’s Cup’s traditions, values, and competitive spirit. By working together to create a more transparent and collaborative structure, we’re ensuring that this iconic competition will thrive for generations to come. We are proud to be part of its foundation, while renewing and strengthening our long-term partnership with Tudor.”

Stephan Kandler, co-CEO of K-Challenge:
“France is an historic country for sailing and in the America’s Cup. K-Challenge has been involved since 2001 in various French Challenges; it therefore became a mission to be involved in the America’s Cup’s future as one of the founding members of the new Partnership, alongside legendary teams like Emirates Team New Zealand, Athena Racing, Luna Rossa and Tudor Team Alinghi. It will reinforce the exposure and image of the America’s Cup. It is a fantastic opportunity for the event and the teams to grow it at the same level as other leading sport properties.”

The five founding teams will together present further details of the Partnership on January 21, 2026 in Naples, Italy with dates of the America’s Cup Match revealed.

The entry period for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup remains open until January 31st 2026, for potential new additional teams to join ACP and the competition in Naples in 2027.

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

Defender New Zealand and Challenger of Record from Great Britain confirmed the Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup on August 12, 2025. The close of the initial entry period was October 31, 2025, with late entries considered up to January 31, 2026. If no USA team participates in the 38th America’s Cup, it will be the first time in the event’s 175-year history.

After the 2024 event, Barcelona, Spain declined hosting another edition, with the venue moved to Naples, Italy. Racing will be in the spring and summer of 2027.

Source: ACM