Preliminary Regattas
These lead-up regattas, designed to warm up the crews and assess the level of competition, feature all America’s Cup teams, including the Defender. They include both fleet races and match races, and will take place between 2026 and 2027 in various locations. The competitions are primarily sailed in the AC40 one-design class, with the exception of the final event in Naples, which will be contested in AC75 America’s Cup yachts. During the AC40 Preliminary Regattas, each team may field two boats, one of which must have a mixed crew composed of two women and two young sailors.
Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series)
The Louis Vuitton Cup format includes a Group Stage, semi-finals, and final, with races held in both match race (one-on-one) and fleet race formats. The Defender may take part in the Group Stage, although it is ranked separately and does not advance to the semi-finals or final of the Challenger Selection Series. At the conclusion of the series, the winning Challenger earns the right to face the Defender in the final match of the 38th America’s Cup.
For the 38th edition in Naples, the two yacht classes already used in Barcelona in 2024 have been confirmed: the AC40 for the early Preliminary Regattas and the Youth & Women’s America’s Cup, and the AC75 for the final Preliminary Regatta, the Challenger Selection Series, and the America’s Cup Match.