America’s Cup protocol documents are long and often challenging to wade through. The draft document for the AC38 protocol is no different, but it does, however, contain some significant elements that America’s Cup fans need to know about.
There’s a lot of detail and it’s a lot to read, so to save you some time here’s our handy roundup of everything you need to know:
The introduction of a new America’s Cup Partnership (ACP)
This appears to be a framework agreement between the competing teams that will take responsibility for organising the 38th America’s Cup and – significantly – future cycles of the America’s Cup. Once formed the ACP would take over responsibility for AC38 from the AC38 Event Authority (effectively Emirates Team New Zealand). This is planned to happen as quickly as possible after June 30, 2025.
All commercial rights relating to AC38 on a worldwide basis are vested in the ACP – effectively giving the competing teams a slice of the event’s financial pie.
Proposed New Crew Format
This has not yet been approved by the Defender and will be the subject of further discussions with the Challenger of Record (Athena Racing).
The proposed format calls for six sailors – one of whom must be female and one must be under 25 years of age.
No manual power generation will be allowed, with the cyclors being replaced by battery capacity designed to mimic the cyclors in terms of average and peak power output, as well as the effects of fatigue.
Onboard 'Guest Racer' Spot
AC38 sees the introduction of sports on board the AC75s for 'guest racers' during the racing. These spots will be allocated by the team or the event organisers on a 75%/25% ratio.
Sailor Nationality Rule
Two non-national crew members will be allowed in AC38 – provided they did not participate for another team in AC37. All other crew must be nationals of the country the team represents.
AC38 Regattas
Up to three Preliminary Regattas are planned to take place in 2026. These will be AC40 events with each team entitled to enter two boats. The format will be fleet racing followed by a single match race between the top two teams to decide the regatta winner. Points from this series will not count towards AC38. Venues and timings are yet to be decided at this stage.
A final Preliminary Regatta will be held in 2027, to be raced in the AC75s the teams will use for AC38. Points from this will carry forward to the Challenger Selection Series.
The Challenger Selection Series will be made up of three stages:
– A group stage for all teams where the crews will be fleet racing but may also do some match racing.
– A knockout match racing semi-final stage between the top four teams
– A match racing final stage between the top two teams
The Defender Emirates Team New Zealand will be allowed to compete in the group stage but not in the semi-final or the final.
Youth and Women’s America’s Cup Regattas
These popular events return for AC38 and will both take place in Naples during the 38th America’s Cup. All competing America’s Cup teams are required to field a Youth and a Women’s entry. Entries from third party yacht clubs not participating in the America’s Cup may also be accepted.
Youth team sailors must be under 25 on the day of the first race of the 38th America’s Cup Match. There are no age restrictions on the Women’s teams. For both events the sailors must all be nationals from the country of the yacht club they are representing. Although not clearly stated in the protocol document, the format is believed to be group fleet racing followed by a single match racing final between the top two teams.
AC38 Entry Period
The entry period for the 38th America’s Cup will open on June 1, 2025 and close on August 31, 2025. Late entries may be accepted up until January 31, 2026. The initial entry fee is €5,000,000, with a US$ 25,000 contribution also payable towards the running of America’s Cup Properties Inc. (the trademark holder of the America’s Cup), along with a returnable €1,000,000 performance bond to guarantee the challenger’s participation in AC38.
New Cost Containment Measures
With the stated intention of reducing the overall cost of an America’s Cup campaign to €60,000,000 the following regulations will be in place:
– Each team can build only one new AC75 during AC38.
– There will be restrictions on the number of components – in particular: sails, foils, rudders, rigs, and masts – that can be used on the AC75s, as well as the modifications that can be made to them.
– Each team can sail only one AC75 at a time (reducing the number of sailors required).
– AC75 sailing is prohibited until January 15, 2026 – after which sailing will be restricted to 50 days per year (excluding any official AC38 racing) until the first race of the Final Preliminary Regatta in 2027. (An exception to these restrictions will be made for sailing in Naples during a period in 2026 to be agreed between the Defender and Challenger of Record. While these restrictions apply to teams which participated in AC37, a new team that purchases a second-hand AC75 would be allowed to sail up to 20 days during this restricted period.
– From July 1, 2025, AC40 two-boat training will be limited to 35 days per year (excluding any official AC38 racing).
– Testing or training in AC75 or AC40s in coordination with other teams is prohibited other than at AC38 regattas, or in Naples during the final two months before the Challenger Selection Series starts, when casual line-ups lasting no more than two minutes will be permitted.
– The use of surrogate yachts (such as the LEQ12s built by the British and Italian teams during their AC37 campaigns, or modified AC40s) is not permitted.
– The yet-to-be-published AC75 Class Rules will include the incorporation of one design and/or single manufacturer elements, as well as restrictions on materials, components, and equipment, plus restrictions on construction techniques and sail restrictions.
Joint Recon Programme
The successful Joint Reconnaissance Programme returns for AC38 – details of which will be included in the America’s Cup Technical Regulations. This time it will be in force throughout AC38 up until the final race of the Match. (In AC37 the programme concluded two months before the start of racing.) Any reconnaissance by teams outside of this programme is prohibited.
Green Energy Foiling Chaseboats
As in AC37, each team is required to employ a 10-metre, high-performance green-energy-powered, foiling chase boat capable of 35 knots and with a 75 nautical mile range at 25 knots.
Wind Limits
The wind limits for racing in the 38th America’s Cup events will be between 6.5 knots and 23 knots.
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