What is the America's Cup?
The America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport — won by the schooner America off the Isle of Wight in 1851 and defended in match racing ever since. Emirates Team New Zealand hold it after a third straight defense at Barcelona 2024; the 38th match comes to Naples in 2027, in the foiling AC75 monohulls.[1] [2]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 (AC38) | — | Naples (ITA) — upcoming |
| 2024 (AC37) | Emirates Team New Zealand | Barcelona — 7–2 vs INEOS Britannia; third straight defense |
| 2021 (AC36) | Emirates Team New Zealand | Auckland — 7–3 vs Luna Rossa |
| 2017 (AC35) | Emirates Team New Zealand | Bermuda — 7–1 vs Oracle Team USA |
| 2013 (AC34) | Oracle Team USA | San Francisco — the 8–1 comeback vs New Zealand |
| 2010 (AC33) | BMW Oracle Racing (USA) | Valencia — the giant-multihull deed of gift match |
| 2007 (AC32) | Alinghi (SUI) | Valencia — 5–2 vs New Zealand |
| 2003 (AC31) | Alinghi (SUI) | Auckland — the Cup returns to Europe after 152 years |
| 2000 (AC30) | Team New Zealand | Auckland — first defense outside the U.S. era |
| 1995 (AC29) | Team New Zealand | San Diego — 'Black Magic' sweeps 5–0 |
Winners of the last ten America's Cup matches.
How does it work?
Challengers battle through a selection series (the Louis Vuitton Cup) for the right to race the Defender one-on-one; design is half the contest, each team engineering its own boats to the class rule. The Women's and Youth America's Cups now race alongside.[2] [3]
Why does it matter?
A 175-year lineage of technology and match-craft — from the J-Class to flying monohulls — makes the Cup sailing's most famous prize, and a Cup campaign the sport's most coveted professional posting.[1] [2]
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — America's Cup. Accessed August 2026.
- America's Cup — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- World Sailing — official site. Accessed August 2026.