Everything you need to know about the 36th America’s Cup

The 37th America’s Cup follows Emirates Team New Zealand's successful defence of the Cup in 2021 in Auckland, New Zealand. As such, the Kiwis will once again be the Defender (current holder of the Cup) when the next America's Cup gets underway and will be guaranteed a spot in the America's Cup regatta itself.

Any other challengers will need to race each other in preliminary regattas for the right to be the single challenger in the America's Cup regatta itself.

Which teams are in the 37th America's Cup?

The Challenger of Record is the name given to the first yacht club to challenge the holder of the America's Cup once it has been won. When Emirates Team New Zealand successfully completed their defence of the America's Cup in 2021, the Royal Yacht Squadron immediately issued a challenge on behalf of Ben Ainslie's INEOS Team UK, so they are Challenger of Record for the 37th America's Cup.

In 2021 in addition to Emirates Team New Zealand (Defender), Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (2021 Challenger of Record), and INEOS Team UK (37th America's Cup Challenger of Record) there was an additional challenger in the New York Yacht Clubs' American Magic.

So far only the Defender and Challenger of Record are confirmed entries, but it would be unusual for other challengers to announce their intention to compete until the venue, date and boat details have been decided.

There are several parties rumoured to be interested including teams from America, Italy, and Switzerland.

Where will the 37th America's Cup be held?

To date the Defender and Challenger of Record have yet to confirm the venue for the 37th America's Cup. Typically the event it raced in the home country of the Defender but Emirates Team New Zealand have indicated they would be willing to hold the event overseas.

Rumoured potential venues for the event are:

• Auckland New Zealand
• Cork, Ireland
• Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

When will the 37th America's Cup be raced?

The date has yet to be announced, which is likely to come at the same time as the venue announcement.

What boats will be used in the 37th America's Cup

Although it has not been officially announced yet, it seems almost certain the the 37th America's Cup will take place in the AC75 foiling monohulls developed for, and used in, the 2021 America's Cup.

It is likely that the rule could be tweaked to make some slight improvements, but with significant investment by both the Defender and the Challenger of Record in the concept already for the 2021 America's Cup, these changes are likely to be minimal.

Match Racing

Though the America's Cup was first raced for in 1851 (and won by the schooner America from which the trophy gets its name), this race was between a fleet of boats. A challenge by the British in the 1870s was also conducted as a fleet race.

By the 1880s, following a protest from the British, the America's Cup was decided in a head-to-head match race where two boats sail against each other.

Match racing is a particular skill and encourages aggressive manoeuvres using the rules to put your opponent at a disadvantage. This cut-and-thrust racing, where the only objective is to beat your opponent, has long been at the heart of America's Cup racing and produces a thrilling spectacle.