The world’s leading sailing teams gather on the Mediterranean this September, bringing together a remarkable heritage of maritime excellence, contemporary yacht design and the enduring allure of Italy’s southern coast.
Naples has long been shaped by its relationship with the sea. From its historic port and centuries of maritime tradition to the sailing yachts that cross its waters today, the Mediterranean remains an essential part of the city’s identity.
From 24–27 September 2026, the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta brings the world’s leading sailing teams to the city for four days of exceptional sailing, technical innovation and sporting excellence.
Against the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius, contemporary racing yachts will trace their course across the Mediterranean, as Naples welcomes sailors, designers and enthusiasts from around the world.
The occasion brings together the sporting heritage of the America’s Cup, the craftsmanship of exceptional yacht design and the distinctive character of a city whose history has been written, in so many ways, by the sea.
A Legacy Written on the Water
The story of the America’s Cup began in 1851, when the schooner America claimed victory in a race around the Isle of Wight, establishing what would become the oldest international sporting trophy.
Over the following 175 years, the competition has evolved into a celebration of sailing expertise, technical ingenuity and an unwavering pursuit of performance. Each generation has brought its own interpretation of the racing yacht, shaped by advances in naval architecture, materials and engineering.
Louis Vuitton’s association with the America’s Cup dates back to 1983, when the Maison introduced the Louis Vuitton Cup to determine which challenger would compete for the coveted trophy. The partnership brought together two worlds united by an appreciation of craftsmanship, precision and the pursuit of excellence.
Today, that legacy continues through a remarkable generation of racing yachts.
For the Naples Preliminary Regatta, the teams will compete aboard AC40 foiling yachts, sophisticated vessels designed to rise above the surface of the water and reach speeds exceeding 40 knots. Their sculptural silhouettes and advanced engineering reflect the extraordinary evolution of contemporary yacht design.
Every manoeuvre demands precision. Every adjustment of the sails, every shift in wind direction and every decision made by the crew contributes to the delicate balance between speed, control and the forces of nature.
It is this intricate relationship between human expertise and technical innovation that continues to define the spirit of the America’s Cup.
The Sailing World Gathers in Naples
The September regatta brings together six competing teams, including Italy’s Luna Rossa, defending America’s Cup champion Emirates Team New Zealand, Britain’s GB1 and Switzerland’s Tudor Team Alinghi, alongside the French and American challengers.
Nine AC40 yachts are expected to take part in the competition, with fleet racing beginning on Friday, 25 September. Across the weekend, the teams will compete for a place in Sunday’s final match race, where the two leading boats will meet in a head-to-head contest.
Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup
For Luna Rossa, racing in Italian waters carries particular significance. The team’s history in the America’s Cup has become closely associated with Italian design, engineering and sailing expertise, supported by a passionate following at home.
Naples itself has an established relationship with the competition, having previously hosted America’s Cup World Series events in 2012 and 2013. The return of international racing to the Gulf brings renewed attention to the city’s maritime heritage and its place within the Mediterranean sailing world.
Naples, Seen from the Sea
There is something particularly captivating about approaching Naples from the water.
The city rises gradually from the coastline, its historic buildings and terracotta rooftops unfolding beneath Mount Vesuvius. Along the waterfront, Castel dell’Ovo stands on its small peninsula, while the Lungomare Caracciolo follows the curve of the bay.
During the regatta, this celebrated stretch of coastline will become a gathering place for spectators, with the official Race Village at Rotonda Diaz offering live race coverage, team presentations and opportunities to experience the atmosphere surrounding the competition.
The presence of the racing yachts adds another dimension to the landscape, their contemporary forms moving across waters that have welcomed trading vessels, fishing boats and sailing ships for centuries.
For visitors, the event offers a natural starting point for discovering the city.
An afternoon spent following the racing might continue with an aperitivo overlooking the Gulf, followed by dinner in one of Naples’ historic restaurants, where the culinary traditions of Campania are expressed through exceptional local ingredients and generations of knowledge.
The city’s grand palazzi, remarkable art collections and ancient streets reveal a cultural heritage that extends far beyond its waterfront, inviting visitors to explore at their own pace.
Beyond the city, the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida offer further possibilities for a journey through the Gulf. From Capri’s dramatic limestone coastline and celebrated villas to Ischia’s thermal traditions and Procida’s colourful fishing harbours, each island reveals its own interpretation of Mediterranean life.
An Invitation to Discover
The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta arrives at a significant moment for Naples, as the city prepares to host the America’s Cup Match in July 2027 – the first time the competition for the trophy itself will take place in Italy.
This September’s event offers an early encounter with the teams, the yachts and the extraordinary level of expertise that will shape the main competition.
For Raro Discovery, occasions such as the America’s Cup offer a compelling way to experience a destination: through its heritage, its relationship with the surrounding landscape and the international events that bring people together.
In Naples, the world of competitive sailing meets centuries of Mediterranean culture, creating an opportunity to discover the city through the very element that has shaped its identity.
As the yachts take to the water beneath Mount Vesuvius, Naples becomes the setting for four days dedicated to the art of sailing, the beauty of exceptional design and the enduring fascination of life at sea.
Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta
Naples, Italy | 24–27 September 2026
Official racing: 25–27 September, from 14:00 CEST
Race Village: Rotonda Diaz, Lungomare Caracciolo – free admission
Raro Discovery S.r.l. Società Benefit is officially registered in the ACE Italy Local Supplier Registration Program for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup. Building on its expertise in sports events, luxury travel, and premium corporate hospitality, the company is committed to delivering exceptional experiences for international clients, partners, and stakeholders associated with world-class sporting events.
