Journey to the 38th America's Cup Continues: Naples Announces Spectacular Second Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta

The journey to the prestigious 38th America’s Cup is taking the sailing world to beautiful Naples in September 2026, for the second Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta. The regatta promises to be a stunning spectacle, serving as a prelude to the main event in 2027—which, historically, will be the first time the world’s oldest continuously contested sporting contest comes to Italy.

The announcement was made during the inaugural Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta in Cagliari, witnessed by a host of dignitaries and stakeholders. Enabling the Bagnoli area’s redevelopment, participating teams will be hosted at the Navy Logistics Command in Nisida, with the crews relocating to Bagnoli in the lead-up to 2027.

Naples Bay will serve as a grand stage for racing, offering a unique setting that frames the competition. Here, Italy’s suitability as an international event host will be on display in the lead-up to the momentous happening in 2027.

Sport e Salute’s president, Marco Mezzaroma, echoed these sentiments, applauding the institutional teamwork that invited the prestigious sailing event to Naples as early as 2026. The decision to schedule the preliminary regatta in September reflects careful planning, strategic vision, and sensible management of traffic flows in the Gulf of Naples. Plus, it allows the optimal completion of Bagnoli’s redevelopment.

The second Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta promises to be an audacious spectacle that shores up anticipation for the main event in 2027. With the world’s sailing eyes set on Naples, Italy’s seafaring reputation is sure to be bolstered ahead of the historical 2027 America’s Cup.