The great spectacle of world sailing comes to Italy! From September 24th to 27th, 2026, the Gulf of Naples, transformed into a natural amphitheater, will host the second Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, serving as an official preliminary event for the 38th America’s Cup.
For four days, the most prestigious sailing teams on the planet will compete aboard the lightning-fast AC40 monohulls, capable of exceeding 40 knots while "flying" directly above the water's surface. A breathtaking preview that will pave the way for the decisive races in 2027.
Let's discover all the details together regarding where the event will take place, the race village, and the complete day-by-day schedule so you don't miss a single minute of the action!
📍 Where the event will take place in Naples
The race course will be one of the most fascinating and iconic stretches of sea in the world: the Bay of the Gulf of Naples.
The boats will race just a few meters from the coast, allowing fans and enthusiasts to enjoy the spectacle directly from the mainland along the entire city waterfront.
🎪 Race Village (Rotonda Diaz & Mappatella Beach): This will be the beating heart of the event. Entry to the village will be completely free for all visitors and will feature giant screens for live coverage, food stalls, official merchandise stores, and entertainment events with the sailors' dock-out and dock-in shows.
⚓ Team Logistic Bases (Nisida and Bagnoli): For this preliminary phase, the teams and technical support will be hosted at the Italian Navy facility in Nisida and in the renovated spaces of the Bagnoli-Coroglio area, which has been the subject of a major urban redevelopment project.
🗓️ Complete Calendar and Times: September 2026
The races will take place every afternoon, approximately between 14:00 and 16:00 (CEST), the ideal time for the wind conditions and sea breeze of the Gulf.
Data | Orario | Evento / Fase |
Mar 22 - Mer 23 | 14:00 - 17:00 | 🚤 Prove Ufficiali (Practice Races) |
Gio 24 | 14:00 - 16:30 | 🏁 Day 1: Regate di Flotta |
Ven 25 | 14:00 - 16:30 | 🌊 Day 2: Match Racing Qualificazioni |
Sab 26 | 14:00 - 16:30 | ⚡ Day 3: Sfide Decisive |
Dom 27 | 15:30 | 🏆 Grand Finale (Match Race Final) |
⛵ The Race Format: The Speed of the AC40s
Unlike the final match-race that will feature the gigantic AC75s in 2027, the Naples preliminary regatta is sailed with AC40 One-Design boats: 'One Design' monohulls that are absolutely identical in weight, sails, and hull, operated by 4 crew members (2 helmsmen and 2 trimmers).
🔄 Fleet Racing (September 25-27): A total of up to 8 fleet races where all registered boats compete simultaneously on a course marked by buoys.
⚔️ Match-Race Final (September 27): At the end of the fleet races, the two teams with the highest scores face off in a "winner-takes-all" 1-on-1 challenge to win the Neapolitan stage trophy.
🎟️ Tickets, Accreditation, and Useful Tips
🆓 The event is free: No ticket is required to access the Race Village at Via Caracciolo / Rotonda Diaz or to watch the races from the waterfront.
🔭 Recommended Viewpoints: In addition to Rotonda Diaz, excellent elevated and panoramic viewing points include the terraces of Posillipo, Virgiliano Park, and Castel dell'Ovo.
🚌 How to get there: It is recommended to use Metro Line 2 (Mergellina or Piazza Amedeo stations) to avoid car traffic on the waterfront, which will be pedestrianized for the event.
📺 Where to Watch on TV and Streaming
For those who cannot be in Naples, there will be full television coverage:
📺 On TV: Live broadcast on Rai Sport and Rai 2 with live studio analysis and technical commentary.
💻 Streaming: Free-to-air broadcast on the event's official channels (YouTube, Facebook, and the official website AmericasCup.com).
🚀 Direction 2027: The Great Neapolitan Dream
The September 2026 preliminary regattas represent the great "dress rehearsal" ahead of the main event: the final stages of the 38th America's Cup in 2027, when Naples will truly become the world capital of sailing.
The date is marked on the calendar: from September 24th to 27th, 2026, everyone get ready to support the crews on the sea of the Neapolitan city!