Follow all the latest insight, analysis and reports from the 38th America’s Cup as teams fight it out to win the oldest International trophy in sport.

Which teams are in the 38th America’s Cup?

In the last America’s Cup in late 2024, six teams raced for the America’s Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand; INEOS Britannia; Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli; American Magic; Alinghi Red Bull Racing; Orient Express Racing Team France.

At the moment it is unclear exactly how many teams will compete in the 38th America’s Cup, and until there are more details on timing and location it’s difficult to know who may commit.

Emirates Team New Zealand – America’s Cup Defender

As the current holder of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand will be racing again in the 38th America’s Cup. As the Defender, the Kiwis are guaranteed a spot in the America’s Cup regatta itself.

Emirates Team New Zealand represent the Royal Auckland Yacht Club in America’s Cup racing.

Tight racing between the British (then INEOS) and the French in 2024. Photo: Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup

Athena Racing – America’s Cup Challenger of Record

The Challenger of Record is the name given to the first yacht club to challenge the holder of the America’s Cup once it has been won.

When Emirates Team New Zealand successfully completed their defence of the America’s Cup in 2024, the Royal Yacht Squadron immediately issued a challenge.

Then it was assumed the relationship between Sir Ben Ainslie and Sir Jim Ratcliffe would continue and the British team would once again be INEOS Britannia.

However, a very public and acrimonious split has seen INEOS step away from Cup racing, leaving Ainslie’s Athena Racing as the Challenger of Record

America’s Cup challengers

Beyond these two it’s hard to say which other teams may continue. Most of the teams are staying fairly tight-lipped as we await further details of the next event.

However, Alinghi Red Bull Racing have already announced they will wind down operations and will not be competing in the 38th edition of the America’s Cup.

What boats are used in the America’s Cup?

The class of boat to be used in the America’s Cup is highly likely to once again be the AC75. These boats were first brought in ahead of the 36th America’s Cup so this would be their third outing.

The foiling monohulls were slightly different in 2024, with rules being tweaked partly aimed at improving light wind performance and also allowing the return of Cyclors.

Should the AC75 be the boat of choice in AC38, it is likely that the class rule would undergo so tweaks again to improve certain areas.

Barcelona, the venue for the 37th America’s Cup

Where is the next America’s Cup?

Barcelona, Spain was the venue for the 37th America’s Cup, marking the first time a New Zealand team had chosen to defend a Cup win overseas.

Barcelona seems unwilling to host again, so it will be back to the drawing board for America’s Cup Defender Emirates Team New Zealand.

Ahead of the 2024 event, a number venues were mooted including: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cork, Ireland; Malaga, Spain, but Barcelona eventually won out.

It could be that one of these venues will be selected, it could even return to Auckland. Very little is known at this stage. But, as ever, money will almost certainly be a key factor.

When is the next America’s Cup?

In theory, the next America’s Cup has been tentatively scheduled for 2027 but that is not confirmed.

With the furore around the Challenger of Record and a venue yet to be forthcoming, that looks like a very ambitious timeline.

For the time being teams are in limbo as we await some confirmation of both timing and venue.

Match Racing

Though the America’s Cup was first raced for in 1851 (and won by the schooner America from which the trophy gets its name), this race was between a fleet of boats. A challenge by the British in the 1870s was also conducted as a fleet race.

By the 1880s, following a protest from the British, the America’s Cup was decided in a head-to-head match race where two boats sail against each other.

Match racing is a particular skill and encourages aggressive manoeuvres using the rules to put your opponent at a disadvantage. This cut-and-thrust racing, where the only objective is to beat your opponent, has long been at the heart of America’s Cup racing and produces a thrilling spectacle.

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