By Christy McFerren
Table of contents
For sailors, there are few sporting events that capture the imagination quite like the America’s Cup. It is fast, technical, dramatic, and deeply rooted in sailing tradition. Whether you are a lifelong racer, a weekend cruiser, or someone just beginning your sailing journey, watching the Cup offers a front-row seat to the highest level of the sport.
The next edition, the 38th America’s Cup, will take place in Naples, Italy in 2027.
With foiling AC75 and AC40 yachts flying above the water at highway speeds and crews making split-second tactical decisions, the modern America’s Cup is unlike anything else in sailing.
It all gets started this weekend, so here’s how you can follow along!
How to Watch the America’s Cup
The Road to Naples officially begins this weekend as the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup gets underway in Sardinia, where the sparkling waters of the Bay of Angels set the stage just outside the vibrant harbor city of Cagliari. With eight elite teams lining up for the opening Preliminary Regatta, conditions are shaping up to be spectacular. Forecasts are calling for classic Mediterranean “champagne” sailing conditions and, if the sea breeze fills in as expected, fans can look forward to high-speed foiling action from the AC40 fleet, one of the most exciting and competitive classes in modern sailing.
The easiest way to follow the racing is through the official America’s Cup platforms:
The official event website has historically streamed races live for free in many regions, along with onboard cameras, commentary, tracking graphics, and race analysis. For those who miss the live broadcasts or simply wish to experience the high-speed drama once more, comprehensive replays are accessible as soon as the day’s competition concludes.
Broadcast Partners
Coverage varies by country, but current announced broadcasters include:
- Italy: Sky Italia and NOW
- United Kingdom: Sky UK and BBC
- United States: Historically NBC Sports and streaming partners
- Canada: CTV
- Australia: Fox Sports
Additional regional broadcasters are typically announced closer to race dates.
Race Times
Race schedules are announced before each regatta, but recent America’s Cup racing has generally started around 2:00 PM local host-city time.
For sailors in North America, that often means morning or midday viewing depending on the venue.
The full event program for this weekend can be found on the Regatta page on the America’s Cup website.
Which Teams Are Competing This Weekend?
The America’s Cup is a truly international competition, with elite sailors and designers representing yacht clubs and nations from around the world.
This weekend, the following eight teams have confirmed entries to compete in Sardinia for the preliminary regatta:
- Emirates Team New Zealand
- Emirates Team New Zealand Women & Youth
- GB1
- Athena Pathway: Women & Youth Team
- Luna Rossa 2: Senior Team
- Luna Rossa 1: Women & Youth Team
- Tudor Team Alinghi
- La Roche-Posay Racing Team
The full list of confirmed and expected challengers for the 38th America’s Cup include:
| Team | Country |
| Emirates Team New Zealand | New Zealand |
| Athena Racing / INEOS Britannia | United Kingdom |
| Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli | Italy |
| Alinghi Red Bull Racing | Switzerland |
| La Roche-Posay Racing Team | France |
| American Racing Challenger Team USA | United States |
Each team combines world-class sailors, engineers, meteorologists, designers, and shore crews in pursuit of one of the most difficult trophies in sports to win.
A Brief History of the America’s Cup
The America’s Cup began in 1851 when the schooner America defeated a fleet of British yachts around the Isle of Wight. The trophy awarded after that race became known as the America’s Cup, making it the oldest trophy in international sport.
For 132 years, the United States successfully defended the Cup until Australia II famously broke the streak in 1983. Since then, the competition has evolved into a global showcase of sailing innovation and athleticism.
Today’s AC75 foiling monohulls represent some of the most advanced sailing technology ever developed. They rise above the water on hydrofoils, reaching astonishing speeds while still relying entirely on wind power.
The Cup has helped drive advances in:
- Boat design
- Sail technology
- Weather strategy
- Composite engineering
- Foiling innovation
- High-performance crew work
Many innovations developed for the America’s Cup eventually influence offshore racing, performance cruising, and sailing instruction across the sport.
The Boats
The AC75 and AC40 classes will return for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, bringing even faster racing, new innovations, and the next evolution of high-performance foiling. As teams refine designs and adapt to updated rules, the competition promises to push the limits of modern sailing once again.
Beyond the racing itself, the America’s Cup continues to lead in sustainability and marine innovation, with teams incorporating sustainably fueled chase boats and new technologies that help shape the future of boating both on and off the racecourse.
What Every Sailor Can Learn by Watching
One of the best ways to improve as a sailor is to watch experienced sailors make decisions in real time.
Even though most recreational sailors will never foil at 50 knots, the core lessons of sailing remain the same.
Sail Trim and Boat Balance
Watch how crews constantly adjust trim for maximum speed and control. Small sail adjustments create major performance gains.
Starting Strategy
The pre-start is one of the most exciting parts of every race. Teams fight for position, control, and timing before crossing the line at full speed. It is a masterclass in boat handling and right-of-way tactics.
Wind Awareness
America’s Cup crews are obsessed with pressure, shifts, and positioning. Watching how they hunt for wind can dramatically improve your own awareness on the water.
Team Communication
Clear communication is critical aboard every boat, from a 22-foot daysailer to an AC75 race yacht. You can learn a tremendous amount simply by observing how elite crews coordinate maneuvers under pressure.
Confidence and Seamanship
The best sailors in the world are constantly learning, adapting, and improving. That mindset applies to every sailor, regardless of experience level.
Ready to Become a (Better) Sailor?
Watching the America’s Cup has inspired generations of sailors to get on the water for the very first time.
If you are ready to begin your own sailing journey or take your skills to the next level, American Sailing Certification Courses offer structured, hands-on training for every stage of sailing.
Whether your goal is:
- learning the basics (101, 102),
- cruising with confidence (103),
- chartering a boat (104),
- Improve your seamanship and navigation skills (106),
- or advancing your offshore skills (108),
there is a certification designed to help you grow as a sailor.
And for sailors who already race and want to sharpen their competitive edge, the America’s Cup is also a reminder that great racing comes down to preparation, communication, sail trim, tactics, and continuous learning.
That’s where North U Racing Clinics come in. These clinics help racers of all levels improve boat speed, strategy, teamwork, and confidence on the racecourse through hands-on coaching and instruction from some of the sport’s most respected experts.
Go Out and Sail
The America’s Cup may represent the pinnacle of sailing competition, but every sailor starts in the same place: stepping aboard, learning the fundamentals, and building confidence on the water — we are never finished learning.
And whether your dream is cruising a quiet anchorage or crossing a finish line faster than ever before, the next step starts with getting out there and sailing.
See you on the water!
About the Author
Christy McFerren is a sailor and sailing instructor holding American Sailing certifications 101–106, 114, and 201–202. She is a member of the Austin Yacht Club sailing instruction team and Catalina fleet, and prior to that completed her 100-level certifications with Outbound Sailing. Christy sails most weekends on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas, with her husband and son aboard Doxa, their Catalina 27, and has bareboat chartered throughout the Caribbean. She’s also a PADI scuba instructor at Dive World Austin and a private pilot who loves exploring above, on, and below the waves.
Join The Discussion
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Want to know where to watch the America’s Cup this weekend?
From high speed foiling to tactical starting battles, read more in Christy’s article on how every sailor can learn from the America’s Cup and where to watch this weekend’s racing: https://americansailing.com/articles/how-to-watch-the-38th-americas-cup/
americansailing.com
How to Watch the 38th America’s Cup
America’s Cup: Watch the world’s fastest sailors battle in Naples as foiling yachts push sailing to its limits.
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