Bay of Naples to host nine-team fleet and a week of racing, concerts and community events from 21 to 27 September.Naples is preparing to host the Preliminary Regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, with racing on the Bay of Naples running from 25 to 27 September and a wider programme of events across the city and Campania region from 21 September.The nine AC40 yachts competing in the regatta are already berthed at team bases on the island of Nisida, next to the Bagnoli redevelopment site where the larger AC75 boats will eventually be launched for the main event in 2027. Naples mayor Gaetano Manfredi visited the bases this week, saying the city was gearing up to ensure the preliminary regatta serves as a dress rehearsal for the main event, which starts next May with the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America’s Cup. Work on the Bagnoli site is reportedly on schedule, with the mayor's office aiming to have the main infrastructure ready by 8 October so teams can begin moving their larger boats into hangars there. Race Village on the seafront A free Race Village is being built along Via Francesco Caracciolo, the seafront promenade that will be pedestrianised for the duration of the event, offering views towards Procida, Ischia and Capri. It opens daily from 11.00, with racing starting at 14.00 on 25, 26 and 27 September, three races each day, shown on giant screens along the seafront. After racing there are sailor meet-and-greets, DJ sets and live music. The Italian Sailing Federation will run activities including a Foil Academy, a Para Sailing Academy offering on-water trials for people with disabilities, and a sailing school for children, alongside food and drink stalls from Neapolitan producers and two official merchandise stores. A week of events across the region The build-up begins on 21 September with the opening of a free “Sport Illumina” sports hub in Casalnuovo di Napoli, followed by a screening of the documentary Mighty Mary. On 22 September an official countdown to the 2027 America’s Cup final, due to start on 10 July 2027, will be unveiled in Piazza Vittoria, followed by an opening ceremony on the Nisida terrace. Later in the week, 300 schoolchildren from Caivano will take part in sailing-themed activities, and the America’s Cup trophy will be brought aboard the naval training ship Amerigo Vespucci, docked at Naples’ Molo Beverello until 25 September. A press conference with the competing teams takes place at Castel dell’Ovo on 24 September. Weekend highlights include a European Week of Sport village in the Villa Comunale, a concert at Bacoli’s Castello di Baia, and a charity concert in Piazza del Plebiscito on 26 September featuring Max Pezzali and Elisa. The regatta concludes on 27 September with a prize ceremony on the Race Village main stage at 18.30. The event is backed by Italy’s sports ministry and the Sport e Salute agency, with government officials including sports minister Andrea Abodi expected to attend several engagements during the week. For full details see official website. Photo credit: Dario Toledo / Shutterstock.com

Naples is preparing to host the Preliminary Regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, with racing on the Bay of Naples running from 25 to 27 September and a wider programme of events across the city and Campania region from 21 September. The nine AC40 yachts competing in the regatta are already berthed at team bases on the island of Nisida, next to the Bagnoli redevelopment site where the larger AC75 boats will eventually be launched for the main event in 2027. Naples mayor Gaetano Manfredi visited the bases this week, saying the city was gearing up to ensure the preliminary regatta serves as a dress rehearsal for the main event, which starts next May with the Louis Vuitton Cup and . Work on the Bagnoli site is reportedly on schedule, with the mayor's office aiming to have the main infrastructure ready by 8 October so teams can begin moving their larger boats into hangars there. A free Race Village is being built along Via Francesco Caracciolo, the seafront promenade that will be pedestrianised for the duration of the event, offering views towards Procida, Ischia and Capri. It opens daily from 11.00, with racing starting at 14.00 on 25, 26 and 27 September, three races each day, shown on giant screens along the seafront. After racing there are sailor meet-and-greets, DJ sets and live music. The Italian Sailing Federation will run activities including a Foil Academy, a Para Sailing Academy offering on-water trials for people with disabilities, and a sailing school for children, alongside food and drink stalls from Neapolitan producers and two official merchandise stores. The build-up begins on 21 September with the opening of a free “Sport Illumina” sports hub in Casalnuovo di Napoli, followed by a screening of the documentary Mighty Mary. On 22 September an official countdown to the 2027 America’s Cup final, due to start on 10 July 2027, will be unveiled in Piazza Vittoria, followed by an opening ceremony on the Nisida terrace. Later in the week, 300 schoolchildren from Caivano will take part in sailing-themed activities, and the America’s Cup trophy will be brought aboard the naval training ship Amerigo Vespucci, docked at Naples’ Molo Beverello until 25 September. A press conference with the competing teams takes place at Castel dell’Ovo on 24 September. Weekend highlights include a European Week of Sport village in the Villa Comunale, a concert at Bacoli’s Castello di Baia, and a charity concert in Piazza del Plebiscito on 26 September featuring Max Pezzali and Elisa. The regatta concludes on 27 September with a prize ceremony on the Race Village main stage at 18.30. The event is backed by Italy’s sports ministry and the Sport e Salute agency, with government officials including sports minister Andrea Abodi expected to attend several engagements during the week. For full details see . Photo credit: Dario Toledo / Shutterstock.com