Transformation of America's Cup: Introducing female sailors, battery-powered yachts, multi-race series, and more changes. Optimism for British participants?
The 38th America's Cup, set to take place in Naples, Italy in 2027, is poised for a dramatic transformation with the introduction of a new Protocol. The new rules, which are expected to be finalised soon, will bring significant changes to crew composition, nationality rules, and the event's commercial structure.
One of the most notable changes is the crew composition. The boats for the 38th America's Cup will be sailed with a crew of five, including one female sailor. Additionally, the four cyclors in the boats are to be replaced with a new battery power system.
Another key change is the nationality rule. At least three crew members must now be of the same nationality as the yacht club they represent. This shift is expected to bring a new dynamic to the competition, as teams will need to carefully select their crew to meet these requirements.
The non-compete clause has been removed from the new Protocol, allowing sailors to compete for different teams. This change is likely to encourage a more fluid movement of talent between teams, potentially leading to increased competition and innovation.
The new partnership agreement introduces a new commercial structure for the event. Up to three Preliminary regattas are scheduled for the 38th Cup, potentially starting as early as next year. A new executive management team will be headed up by a new independent CEO, and a new board will make key decisions such as class rule, agreeing venues, following an Formula One type model.
The 38th America's Cup has been agreed and signed, with the British America's Cup team, Athena Racing, signing as Challenger of Record. This is a good sign for the team's viability, as they will be returning with their AC75s, although under a different name, suggesting a title sponsorship deal may be in place.
The new agreement provides certainty for teams, commercial partners, and event venues to invest for multiple editions. This two-year cycle is aimed at providing teams with more security when it comes to sourcing sponsors and planning campaigns.
The search results do not provide explicit detailed descriptions of these changes, but it is clear that the 38th America's Cup will be a significantly different event from its predecessors. For precise details, it is recommended to follow official announcements from the Royal Yacht Squadron and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, as well as event director statements.
Sources: [1] America's Cup official website [2] Sailing News Today, August 21, 2025
Sports enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the transformation of the 38th America's Cup, with the introduction of new regulations, such as the restructuring of crew composition to include one female sailor and a battery power system replacing cyclors, and changes to the nationality rule that demand at least three crew members to be of the same nationality as the yacht club they represent. Furthermore, the removal of the non-compete clause will encourage a more fluid movement of talent between teams, potentially leading to increased competition and innovation in the sports realm.
