Emirates Team New Zealand has issued a firm response to recent concerns raised by challengers and former America’s Cup winners regarding the governance and venue selection process for the 38th America’s Cup.
In its first official statement, released at 16:00 UTC, the Defender emphasized that the right and responsibility to choose the host venue lies squarely with the Defender, as per the Deed of Gift. This authority, the team noted, was further confirmed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Challenger of Record—Athena Racing—immediately following the conclusion of the 37th America’s Cup.
“The Defender, as per the Deed of Gift, has the right and responsibility to choose the venue,” the statement read. “The Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Challenger of Record at the conclusion of the 37th America’s Cup also gives that full right and obligation to the Defender.”
Amid growing calls for transparency and cooperation from teams including Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Athena Racing, and American Magic, Emirates Team New Zealand reiterated its commitment to building a collaborative partnership for future editions of the Cup.
A second statement, issued later at 20:00 UTC, aimed to provide further clarity on the specifics of the MOU, citing explicit language that affirms the Defender’s control over the venue and schedule for all major events, including the Challenger Selection Series.
“The MOU with the Challenger of Record also says: ‘The Venue for the Match and for the preceding CSS will be determined and announced by the AC38 Defender within eight months of the AC37 Final Race. The final dates for the Match and the preceding CSS will be announced within a further two months of the Venue announcement.’”
The clarification comes amid increased scrutiny following the announcement of Naples as the host city for the 2027 Louis Vuitton America’s Cup. Challenger teams have voiced concerns about not being consulted prior to the announcement, questioning the legitimacy of decisions made without broader consensus.
With tensions rising, the focus now shifts to whether the Challenger of Record and Defender can align on a final protocol that satisfies all stakeholders—paving the way for a unified and competitive 38th America’s Cup.
