An edition far from the country of origin of the Defender
As no agreement was reached between Emirates Team New Zealand, which represents the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) and the New Zealand government, it was decided in June 2021 that the next America's Cup would not be held in Auckland.
After receiving bids from Jeddah, Malaga, Cork and Barcelona, it is finally the capital of Catalonia that has been chosen to host the next edition of the America's Cup. This is the 2nd e time Spain has hosted the Cup, after Valencia in 2004-2007 for the 32nd edition. Barcelona becomes the first venue in the world to host both an Olympic Games and an America's Cup.
A substantial investment
The emblematic city of the Cup, Auckland, supported by the New Zealand government, was ready to invest 61 million euros in the next edition. Supported by local public funds and the Catalan business community, Barcelona has put forward an envelope of about 70 million euros, with a projected return on the Catalan economy approaching one billion euros.
This is only the fourth time the Defender has decided to host the Cup on a different venue than its home country. With only closed waters available, the Swiss syndicate Alinghi held the event in Spain in Valencia in 2007 and 2011, and the Americans from Oracle turned to Bermuda for the 2017 edition.
4 challengers have announced their participation
Twice winners of the Cup, the Swiss team Alinghi is back in the race. They will face the Italian team Luna Rossa Prada, the British team Ineos Britannia and the American team Black Magic. The best of them will face the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand, which will put its title on the line in Spain.
To date, no French syndicate has officially announced itself. The last participation of a French team goes back to the 35th edition of the Louis Vuitton in Bermuda, with Groupama Team France under the leadership of Franck Cammas.
