37th America's Cup match dates and race area revealed

The Racing Area for both the Challenger Selection Series and the 37th America’s Cup Match have now been agreed with Barcelona’s Capitán Marítimo and are set to the south of the City along Barcelona’s beachfront, affording the perfect natural viewing gallery right along the coastline for spectators.

A permanent exclusion zone for the duration of the racing has been agreed to ensure safety for both the competitors and the expected daily armada of spectator boats that will take the opportunity to see the AC75s and AC40s at close range. Depending on conditions those onshore could at times be able to watch the racing action taking place just a few hundred metres off the beach.

Also confirmed is the date for the Women’s America’s Cup Regatta Final which takes place during prime time viewing straight after Race 5 on October 16 2024 giving the women’s event significant coverage and profile to the Cup’s global audience,

Racing the new and exciting AC40 class set up in strict one-design mode the sailors that get to the final of the Women’s America’s Cup are expected to be some of the top foiling sailors on the planet.

Racing in the America’s Cup Match itself, which will be a best of 13 (first to seven points) format will commence on Saturday October 12, 2024 with two races scheduled – followed by a further two races on Sunday October 13.

Racing will then pause for two days, however at the discretion of the Regatta Director and after consultation with both the Defender and the Challenger, and depending on conditions, both of these days could be used to complete two races a day.

The schedule as it stands, without the use of the Monday or Tuesday, would recommence on Wednesday October 16 for one race (number five) in the Match followed by the Women’s America’s Cup Regatta Final as detailed above.

Thursday October 17 is officially not scheduled for racing, but could also – subject to the Regatta Director’s discretion and agreement with the competitors – be allocated for two further races depending on conditions whilst Friday October 18 is officially marked as a ‘Spare Day’ for up to two more races. Two races per day are scheduled for Saturday October 19 and Sunday October 20 – if required.

The objective of the Event Authority is to have racing concluded over the weekend of the October 19-20 however if required the schedule does allow for racing to continue into the following week from October 21 through to the October 27 on reserve days.

“We are excited to confirm the dates determining the Match racing period and our huge thanks go to the Capitán Marítimo and the Port of Barcelona authority who have been so pro-active and accommodative throughout the process,” said Grant Dalton, CEO of ACE.

“This is a significant event to plan for, with safety concerns at the top of the list for both spectators and competitors,” Dalton continued.

“I think the result is going to be something pretty spectacular with racing taking place in front of the beach, along the coast from the main port entrance right along the coast, past the Port Olímpic and out further east, offering a fantastic viewing opportunity for the public to see these remarkable boats at full pace.”