Yachting tradition undergoes revolutionary shift with female sailors and battery power now part of the America's Cup regulations, set to redefine the prestigious Auld Mug competition.
The America's Cup undergoes a seismic transformation for its 38th edition
The America's Cup, one of the oldest and most prestigious sailing regattas in the world, is set for a significant overhaul as it gears up for its 38th edition in 2027. The changes, described as the "boldest in 174 years," aim to modernize the event, increase inclusivity, and ensure financial sustainability.
The key changes in the governance and regulations of the America's Cup include a new governance model with equal authority granted to all participating teams through the creation of the America's Cup Partnership (ACP). This collective body will oversee race formats, commercial rights, venue selection, and media management to promote sustainability, predictability, and global appeal.
Major regulatory changes include a biennial event cycle, crew composition rules, the introduction of battery power, a cost cap, expanded representation for women and youth sailors, changes in venue selection, the removal of non-compete clauses, and a diversified competition format.
Under the new crew composition rules, teams will sail AC75 boats with a five-member crew, including at least one woman. At least two crew members plus the female sailor must be nationals of the team’s country, enhancing inclusivity and nationality requirements. Most functions of the boats will be powered by batteries instead of crew strength, marking a technological shift in the race boats.
The America's Cup will be held every two years, with teams returning from the last America's Cup required to retain the same hulls, while new teams will have to either acquire an AC75 hull or build to the same specifications. A cap of €75 million ($87 million) has been imposed on each team competing in 2027, with strict financial transparency and penalties for overspending payable to the ACP.
Athena Racing, the Challenger of Record, has developed the protocol in partnership with the defender. The United States, the first winner of the America's Cup in 1851, has shown its support for the modernization of the event. Jay Cross, commodore of the New York Yacht Club, has expressed his enthusiasm for the changes, stating that they will bring fresh energy and excitement to the America's Cup.
Grant Dalton, Team New Zealand's chief executive, has also expressed a commitment to driving the growth of the America's Cup event. Despite the changes, Team New Zealand, the dominant force in recent America's Cup regattas, remains a formidable contender for the 2027 edition.
The 38th America's Cup will be hosted in Naples, Italy, in July 2027 with entries opening August 19, 2025. The new executive management team, headed by a new independent CEO, is eager to ensure the event's historical lack of continuity is addressed, making the America's Cup more predictable and sustainable for the future.
These changes have been generally well received by competitors and key shareholders, with Ben Ainslie, Athena Racing's team principal, expressing his excitement for the future of the sport due to the new model's commitment to making the America's Cup more inclusive, compelling, and financially sustainable.
The 38th edition of the America's Cup will observe an increased inclusivity, as crew composition rules mandate that nations must have at least two national sailors and one woman on their teams. The event, with its new governance and regulations, aims to become a significant player in the world sports scene, targeting a wider global audience.
