Three sporting milestones and an opening to new audiences
This protocol lays the foundations for a structured organization in three major stages. Firstly, the preliminary races will take place on AC40 hydrofoil monohulls, before switching to AC75s. Next comes the challenger selection series, organized into groups, semi-finals and finals. Finally, the decisive match will pit the winner of these qualifiers against the defending champion. In addition, there will be two special events: a youth regatta and a women's regatta, also contested on AC40s.
A strictly controlled entry procedure
As far as participation is concerned, the conditions are precise and demanding. Each team will be required to pay an initial entry fee of five million euros, plus additional costs including trademark protection (via ACPI) and a deposit. Candidate clubs will have to meet strict eligibility criteria, particularly with regard to national regattas. Registrations will be open from June 1 to August 31, 2025, with a possible extension to January 31, 2026 subject to penalties.
Cost control and technological supervision
One of the protocol's stated priorities is cost reduction. The campaign budget is targeted at sixty million euros per team. To achieve this, each syndicate will be allowed to build only one new AC75. At the same time, there are drastic limitations on the number of sailing days, while the commercialization of performance data is strictly forbidden. Gone are the design pack exchanges from which the French challenge benefited. Components, materials and technologies will also be regulated by a technical framework shared between the teams.
A more inclusive crew policy
The crew composition criteria reflect a clear desire to open up the Cup to greater diversity. Each team must include one member under the age of 25 and one female sailor, both from the country represented. Nationality rules have been tightened overall, with only two exceptions authorized for foreign crew members who have not taken part in the previous edition.
Handover to a new events authority
In organizational terms, AC38 also marks a transition in governance. From June 30, 2025, the event authority AC38 Event Limited (ACE) will give way to a new entity, designated by the founding teams and called the America's Cup Partnership (ACP). This structure will be in charge of logistical organization, selection of host cities, coordination of commercial rights and media communications. It will also ensure that the objectives of budgetary restraint, inclusiveness and transparency are respected.
