For the second consecutive America’s Cup cycle, the holders will not defend the trophy on home waters. Despite months of behind-the-scenes negotiations and public hope for a return to Auckland, Emirates Team New Zealand confirmed today that it will not stage the 2027 regatta in the City of Sails.
The decision followed the New Zealand government’s decision not to financially support the bid, citing economic pressures and other priorities.
“Since winning the 37th America’s Cup in October last year, The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Emirates Team New Zealand have been intent on exploring the possibility of hosting the 38th America’s Cup in Auckland,” the team said in a statement, “with the understanding it would take a combination of private backing, local government as well as central government support to make it happen—but not at the expense of funding other priorities in the tough economic climate.”
Team officials noted that while private support and enthusiasm from Auckland Unlimited—the city’s major events agency—were encouraging, they were not enough to carry the proposal over the line. “So, it is with both disappointment and understanding to hear MBIE and Central Government have decided not to back the 38th America’s Cup in Auckland in 2027.”
Emirates Team New Zealand has won the last three editions of sailing’s oldest and most prestigious event. After claiming victory in Bermuda in 2017, the Kiwis prevailed at home in 2021, before defending the trophy last year off the coast of Barcelona, Spain.
But the Cup, as always, is as much about politics and economics as it is about sport. Barcelona’s successful 2024 bid was the third time in history that a defending champion opted to stage the competition outside their home country. The move drew criticism in New Zealand, but the results in Catalonia—boasting €1.034 billion in estimated economic benefit—highlighted the Cup’s enduring commercial appeal.
In Barcelona, Team New Zealand defeated Great Britain’s Ineos Britannia in the final, ending a 60-year drought for Britain in America's Cup Match appearances. The NZ team’s triumph cemented its place as one of the great dynasties in the modern era of the competition.
But the 2027 cycle already appears to be taking a different course. British sailing icon Sir Ben Ainslie and billionaire investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the driving forces behind the 2024 British challenge, have parted ways and are expected to enter separate syndicates for the next edition.
With Auckland out, the bidding process to determine the next host city continues. One of the early and most high-profile expressions of interest has come from Saudi Arabia. The Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina hosted a preliminary regatta ahead of the 2024 Cup and has signaled its intention to bid for the full event. Whilst there has been no official word from Emirates Team New Zealand, Greece and Italy are rumoured to be the frontrunners for the 2027 event.
Today's statement from the America's Cup holders acknowledged the reality of the moment, balancing regret with pragmatism. “While the significant economic benefits of hosting the America’s Cup and other major events are well proven… we understand there are other priorities for the New Zealand Government right now.”
For Auckland, this is a second missed opportunity to bring the Cup home – although the city's reinstatement as a stopover in The Ocean Race may, perhaps, take some of the sting out of the loss. For Emirates Team New Zealand, the challenge now shifts to once again defending its title on foreign waters—wherever the next battleground may turn out to be.
The IMOCA Class returns to the racecourse today for the first time in 2026, with a small but high quality fleet of solo skippers taking on the fifth edition of the 1000 Race.
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