Emirates Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron have announced that Barcelona will be hosting the 37th America’s Cup.

Last held in New Zealand, the forthcoming event will take place between September and October 2024 in the waters around the Spanish port city.

Barcelona was chosen to host the America’s Cup for a variety of reasons, including its racing facilities, team bases, technical infrastructure and large on-shore area for hosting spectators, hospitality and media. 

The region also benefits from 9 – 15 knots of wind during the September and October race window, making it ideal regatta conditions.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is the current holder and Trustee of the America’s Cup. “Barcelona holds a very special place in New Zealand’s sailing history and we remember with pride the success of our 1992 Olympic Games sailing team and four medal result”, said Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Aaron Young.

Echoing his support, Grant Dalton, chief executive of Emirates Team New Zealand, commented, “Barcelona really is one of the most recognised cities in the world so to have the ability to host the most recognised sailing event in the world is hugely exciting.

“As Defender of the America’s Cup, we have always felt the responsibility to grow the event, the audience, and the sport of sailing on a global scale and certainly having the event hosted in a significant city such as Barcelona will allow us to propel the growth trajectory on the global sporting stage.”

This year will be the first time the event has been held in Barcelona, making the city the first venue to host both an Olympic Games and an America’s Cup. The 2024 event will also be the first edition to include a specific Women’s America’s Cup regatta. 

The move is expected to increase yacht tourism around Barcelona and the nearby Balearics. Damiá Calvet, the president of the Port of Barcelona, said “we have made Port Vell available to the city and the country to be able to celebrate an America’s Cup that projects Barcelona to the world, […] We will make the most of the infrastructures that we already have, we will boost the economy and employment and finally, we will leave an enduring legacy”.

It comes after Marina Port Vell announced additional space for 68 superyacht berths in September last year.

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