America’s Cup

What America’s Cup does

America's Cup operates the world's oldest international sailing trophy competition, first held in 1851 and currently governed by the America's Cup Event Authority (ACE) on behalf of the defending holder, Emirates Team New Zealand. The organization coordinates a competitive sailing franchise structured around two yacht classes — the fully equalised one-design AC40 (used in Preliminary Regattas, capable of 40+ knots, crewed by four) and the flagship AC75 foiling monohull (used in the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup match proper). The 38th cycle is unprecedented in cadence, featuring multiple Preliminary Regattas (Sardinia in May 2025, Naples in September 2026) ahead of the 2027 main event in the Bay of Naples.

The organization serves three customer segments: elite national and private sailing syndicates (currently seven confirmed including Luna Rossa, Emirates Team New Zealand, GB1, Tudor Team Alinghi, Athena Pathway, La Roche-Posay Racing Team, and American Racing Challenger Team USA), corporate sponsors anchored by title sponsor Louis Vuitton with broadcast partner RAI, and a global audience of sailing enthusiasts and sports fans consuming the event either via free Race Village entry at host venues or through global digital streaming on Facebook, YouTube, and americascup.com.

Revenue is generated through four streams: title sponsorship (Louis Vuitton), broadcasting and licensing rights (RAI in Italy plus global digital), merchandise sales at on-site and online stores, and entry fees from competing teams. The GTM motion is event-driven, with each host cycle requiring co-funding from regional governments (Italian Ministry of Sport, Regione Campania, Comune di Napoli). Spectator access is structurally freemium — Race Village entry is free while food, beverage, and merchandise are monetized on-site.

Name

America’s Cup

Website

https://americascup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1851

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

America's Cup organizes the world's oldest international sailing trophy competition, currently running the 38th edition with Preliminary Regattas in Sardinia and Naples ahead of the 2027 main event. It serves elite sailing syndicates, luxury title sponsor Louis Vuitton, and a global audience via free Race Village entry and digital streaming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Sailing Competition

NAICS

Other Spectator Sports (711219), Spectator Sports (71121), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Championship & Cup Organizers (MPAKADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Sport Federations (IFs) (MPAKAFAB), Sports Events & Match Tickets (THAJAFAE)

Keywords

• International sailing competition
• Foiling yacht racing
• Sports event broadcasting
• Sailing sponsorship activation
• Race village hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Title Sponsorship (Louis Vuitton): Louis Vuitton serves as the title sponsor for the 38th America's Cup and its Preliminary Regattas, providing significant funding and brand association with the prestigious sailing event.
2. Broadcasting Rights: The event generates revenue through broadcasting partnerships including RAI (Italy's public national broadcaster), live streaming via official Facebook and YouTube channels, and the americascup.com website.
3. Merchandise Sales: A full range of team and event regalia merchandise is sold through the merchandise store located at Race Villages at each venue.
4. Entry Fees from Competing Teams: Teams pay to participate in the America's Cup competition, contributing to event revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

America's Cup organizes and operates international sailing competitions across the 38th America's Cup cycle, including Preliminary Regattas (e.g., Naples 24-27 September 2026), the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series, and the America's Cup match final in 2027. The organization produces live race broadcasts distributed globally through its website, Facebook, YouTube, and regional broadcasters like RAI, while running free-entry Race Villages at host venues featuring entertainment, hospitality, and official merchandise sales.

Product overview

America's Cup operates a sailing competition centered around two yacht classes: the AC40 (used for Preliminary Regattas with eight-boat fleet racing and match-race finals) and the AC75 (the main competition yacht for the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup finals). The product portfolio includes the live race broadcast available via official website, Facebook, and YouTube; the Race Village fan experience at host venues featuring entertainment and merchandise; and an online merchandise store. The Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup cycle features multiple Preliminary Regattas, culminating in the 2027 finals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Preliminary Regatta Naples Premier international sailing regatta held in the Bay of Naples from 24-27 September 2026, featuring fully equalised AC40 one-design yachts in eight fleet races plus a winner-take-all match-race final. Targeted at competing sailing syndicates and global spectators.
• Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup and Louis Vuitton Cup (2027 Final) The flagship America's Cup final event scheduled for 2027 in Naples featuring AC75 foiling monohull racing, including the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series and the America's Cup match itself. Targeted at elite international sailing syndicates and a global audience.
• Race Village Fan Experience Free-entry spectator fan experience located at each host venue (e.g., Rotonda Diaz / Mappatella Beach in Naples), featuring dock-out and dock-in shows on the main stage, sailor interviews, live race coverage on giant screens, local entertainment, gastronomy concessions, and a merchandise store. Targeted at sailing fans and sports spectators.
• Live Race Broadcast

Quantifiable outcome

• Naples will be the first time in history that all four countries that have ever won the America's Cup (USA, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland) will be competing together on the same racetrack
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Louis VuittonflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLouis Vuitton is the title sponsor of the 38th America's Cup, including the Preliminary Regattas (Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Preliminary Regatta). The partnership represents a major luxury brand alignment with one of the world's most prestigious sporting events. The Louis Vuitton name appears on all event branding, trophies, and official communications.
• RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRAI, Italy's public national broadcaster, is a broadcast partner for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Preliminary Regatta Naples. RAI provides live race coverage for Italian audiences, with racing going LIVE at 2:00pm CEST.
• Italian Government - Ministero per lo SportcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian government ministry partner supporting the Naples Preliminary Regatta as a Host Partner. Contributes to the organization and promotion of the event in Italy.
• Regione CampaniacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional government of Campania is a Host Partner for the Naples Preliminary Regatta, supporting the event as the host region in southern Italy.
• Comune di NapolicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Municipality of Naples is a Host Partner for the Preliminary Regatta, providing local government support and promotion for the event in Naples.
• Sport e SaluteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian sports organization listed as a Host Partner for the Naples event, contributing to sports development and event support.
• Governo della Repubblica ItalianaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian national government listed as a Host Partner for the Sardinia Preliminary Regatta, supporting the event as part of the overall America's Cup hosting.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Extreme Sailing Series: Extreme Sailing Series operated a stadium-style sailing circuit with high-speed catamarans at urban venues. It overlaps with the America's Cup's emphasis on spectator-friendly, technology-forward sailing competition.

Direct peers

• Vendée Globe: Vendée Globe is a solo, non-stop, unassisted round-the-world yacht race held every four years. It shares the heritage, broadcast, and sponsorship model of major international sailing events.
• SailGP: SailGP operates a global annual league of high-speed foiling catamarans with national teams, similar one-design class technology, title sponsorship, and free-to-stream broadcasting. It is the closest direct competitor in premier professional sailing events.
• The Ocean Race: The Ocean Race (formerly Volvo Ocean Race) is a round-the-world fully crewed sailing race with stopovers, sponsors, and broadcast partnerships. It shares event-driven sailing IP economics and audience model with the America's Cup.
• Route du Rhum: Route du Rhum is a transatlantic solo sailing race from France to the Caribbean. It is comparable as a flagship European ocean sailing event with title sponsorship and large Race Village-style public engagement.

Broad incumbents

• World Sailing: World Sailing is the international federation governing the sport of sailing worldwide, including Olympic classes. It is comparable as a sailing rights-holder and rule-setter, though it operates as a non-profit governing body rather than a commercial event organizer.
• Formula 1: Formula 1 is a premier global motorsport series with similar premium title sponsorship, free-to-air and streaming broadcast model, and event-driven GTM motion. It serves as a comparable for premier international racing event IP economics, though in a different sport.
• NASCAR: NASCAR is a major racing series with title sponsorship, broadcasting partnerships, and stadium-style spectator experiences. It is comparable as an established professional racing franchise but with broader U.S.-centric reach.
• Wimbledon (The All England Lawn Tennis Club): Wimbledon is one of the oldest and most prestigious sporting events in the world, operating a heritage IP with luxury sponsors and global broadcast. It is comparable as a premium heritage sports event property with cyclical scheduling.

Others

• World Athletics Championships: World Athletics is the governing body for track and field and operates the biennial World Athletics Championships. It is adjacent as an international federation running flagship spectator events with host-city rotation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=YaHnLMckGtI
• Facebookfacebook.com/timeline
• Xx.com/americascup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about America’s Cup