If the America’s Cup is all about blending heritage with high performance, then Naples just set the tone perfectly.
This week, under the vaulted stone arches of the Castel dell’Ovo—Naples’ ancient fortress perched on the Megaride peninsula—the host city staged its first formal presentation as the home of the 38th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup. With Mount Vesuvius looming in the distance and the Bay of Naples glinting in the sun, it was hard to imagine a more iconic setting to launch the next chapter in the Cup’s 174-year history.
Inside the castle, the vaulted inner hall was transformed for the occasion. Projections danced across centuries-old walls, and the America’s Cup and Louis Vuitton Cup trophies were unveiled in theatrical style from their custom cases. The scene struck a balance: part celebration, part show of intent.
Local and national media filled the space, along with representatives from city government, the Italian sports ministry, and key Cup stakeholders. All were there to reaffirm Naples’ commitment—and to kick off what promises to be one of the most publicly engaged America’s Cups in years.
Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, one of the key figures behind the city’s winning bid, struck a tone of civic pride and future focus. “To bring this event here is not a casual choice,” he said. “When Emirates Team New Zealand visited Bagnoli, they said: this is where we need to hold the America’s Cup. And we are up to the challenge.”
Manfredi connected the event to the city’s sporting culture—from youth sailing to Napoli FC’s recent Serie A title—emphasising the broader social value. “The America’s Cup is about professionals, yes,” he said, “but it’s also for families, for communities, and for the health of the city itself.”
Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi followed, thanking the local and national officials who helped secure the bid. “We worked on this silently, but with a great deal of passion,” he said. “The real work starts now. And we will do it with competence, commitment, and professionalism.”
When Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton took the stage, the applause was loud and lasting. Dalton, who leads both the defending syndicate and America’s Cup Events, praised Naples’ passion and organisation. “In 2012 and 2013, Naples hosted the America’s Cup World Series,” he said. “We remember the crowds, the atmosphere—and that played a big part in our decision.”
Dalton also referenced the seamless collaboration between regional and national authorities in Italy, calling it “the most unified and forward-thinking bid we’ve worked with.” Then, in a nod to the event’s legacy in Italy, he namechecked every Italian Cup challenge from Azzurra in 1983 through to Luna Rossa’s current roles in the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup events.
“Our dear friends and closest competitors,” Dalton added, nodding to members of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and K-Challenge teams in the audience.
The formal part of the day closed with a series of highlight videos showcasing both the upcoming Cup and the city’s recent football triumphs. Then, under the Neapolitan sun, delegates gathered on the rooftop terrace of the Castel dell’Ovo to take in the racecourse. From the foot of the castle to the headlands of Posillipo, the setting promises a stadium-style racecourse with natural amphitheatre views stretching along the city’s seafront.
For now, the trophies are safely housed, and the speeches are done. But as Minister Abodi summed up neatly: “The real work starts now.”
Naples is officially on the clock.
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