An agreement reached in New York could mark a historic turning point in the management and organization of the America’s Cup. The America’s Cup Partnership (ACP) was officially ratified on October 15, laying the foundations for a future in which the teams will no longer be just competitors but co-custodians of the most prestigious event in international sailing.
New governance
Until now, the America’s Cup has always followed a model in which the Defender controlled most aspects of the event’s structure, including the protocol, calendar, and commercial rights. With the creation of the ACP, this paradigm changes radically.
From now on, each team will have a seat on the partnership’s governance board, with voting rights proportional to their level of participation in the event. The board will appoint an independent management team responsible for overseeing the commercial, media, technical development, and innovation aspects. Finally, the America’s Cup – including all related races – will no longer be held every four years as it was until 1987 (with subsequent variations), but every two years, to ensure greater stability in planning, investment, and continuity. The ACP will become operational on November 1, 2025. In short, from now on we’ll no longer witness a “one-off event” reshaped each time, but a “long-term project” in which the teams are true partners and co-contributors to the growth and value of the America’s Cup.
America’s Cup 2027: Italy at the heart of change
The agreement signed in New York for the edition to be held in Naples in 2027 also directly involves Italian interests. The management of the site near Bagnoli and of the preliminary events will be under the supervision of the ACP, which will need to work closely with local Italian authorities. Italian teams, including Luna Rossa Pirelli—already a challenger—and possibly Alinghi, depending on the official decision regarding its participation, will have the chance to actively contribute to the event’s governance rather than being mere participants.
We expect a major turning point from the America’s Cup Partnership, which, for the first time in 147 years, promises teams that are not only rivals but also joint guardians of this extraordinary regatta. The challenge won’t be easy—it will be a path filled with risks and uncertainties to overcome: from ensuring transparent governance to balancing divergent interests, adapting the competition protocol, and meeting the tight registration deadline of October 31, 2025. For the great “people” of the America’s Cup—those who watch the races holding their breath and can recognize the sound of the wind before seeing the sails fill—the birth of the America’s Cup Partnership is not just an agreement among teams. It’s a promise. The promise of endless emotion.
