The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup will make history in Naples, Italy, with an unprecedented opening format that will see all competing AC75 foiling yachts racing together in fleet races before the traditional match-racing begins.
The official Conditions Governing the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series, released by Race Director Iain Murray, confirm that the 2027 campaign will start with six spectacular fleet races, bringing together all seven confirmed AC75 teams on the iconic Bay of Naples.
The opening Group Stage 1 begins on 22 May 2027, with three fleet races scheduled on Saturday, followed by another three on 23 May. It will mark the first time in the 175-year history of the America’s Cup that AC75 yachts compete together in a fleet racing format, offering fans an entirely new dimension of high-performance sailing.
Following the fleet races, the competition shifts to its traditional head-to-head format. From 26 to 31 May, challengers will compete in two intense Round Robins featuring a total of 42 match races. After a short break, the decisive third Round Robin takes place from 9 to 11 June, determining the teams that will advance to the knockout stages.
The top three challengers will automatically qualify for the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals, while the remaining teams will battle in a Repêchage round on 12–13 June for the final semi-final berth.
The Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals are scheduled from 16 to 20 June, with the first team to secure seven victories progressing to the Final. The Louis Vuitton Cup Final is expected to begin on 26 June and could extend until 4 July, where the winning challenger will earn the right to face Emirates Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup.
The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Match officially starts on 10 July 2027, with the first team to claim seven race victories lifting the oldest trophy in international sport.
With the introduction of fleet racing, a world-class field of AC75s, and the spectacular backdrop of the Bay of Naples, the 2027 edition promises to be one of the most exciting and innovative America’s Cup events ever staged. For sailing fans, Naples is set to become the centre of the yachting world next summer.
