Sailing: 2027 America’s Cup New Rules
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Teams competing in the 2027 edition of the America's Cup have agreed, under new rules for the event, which will take place in July in Naples, Italy, to include a "guest" crew member, who could be a VIP, celebrity or influencer.
Each crew will have an additional sixth member on board, with a media representative or sponsor also amongst the options agreed under the new rules for the event.
Every crew must also include at least one woman, and a minimum of two crew members, including a woman sailor, must be nationals of the team's country of origin.
There are also changes to the format, with all competitors taking part in both match racing, when two crews go head-to-head, as well as fleet racing, when all the yachts race together. The top four challengers will then feature in a knockout match semi-final.
The new rules also provide that existing teams must use the same AC75 hulls, which raced in 2024, with increased function of the boat powered by battery.
Competing teams will be subject to a maximum spend of €75 million.
Sir Ben Ainslie, team principal of Great Britain's Athena Racing, remarked that it is a "seismic moment" for the event.
And added:
"The teams and yacht clubs share a vision to make the America's Cup more inclusive, compelling, and financially sustainable. This new model marks a unified commitment to that vision. I am excited for the future of the sport."
Entries for the 2027 event, which is the world's oldest continuous international sporting competition, first held in1851, and its 38th edition, will open on 19 August 2025.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
