America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Kicks Off in Sardinia

From 21 to 24 May 2026, Cagliari hosts the first regatta of the 38th America’s Cup – the opening event of a new cycle. It marks the first time since Barcelona 2024 that the teams have come together again to begin the next chapter in the battle for sailing’s oldest trophy.



The format is simple: three days of fleet racing, followed by a final match race between the two best crews. Expect close, spectacular racing. All teams will compete in one-design AC40 yachts, which puts the spotlight squarely on the crews themselves – and that’s where one of the big talking points lies. Each team is allowed to enter two AC40s: one for its senior crew, and one for a crew made up of youth and women’s teams. On paper, that broadens the line-up; in reality, it adds an extra layer of competition. In identical equipment, these young, ambitious crews could easily upset the established order. 



Eight boats are expected on the start line. Defender Emirates Team New Zealand, first challenger GB1 (Britain), and Italy’s Luna Rossa all plan to field both a senior boat and a second crew. Switzerland’s Tudor Team Alinghi and France’s La Roche-Posay Racing Team (K-Challenge), meanwhile, will enter just one boat each. 



Although this first event is purely a prologue with no bearing on the main competition, these so-called “non‑essential” regattas often prove revealing. Teams gain vital experience, test tactical decisions and, more often than not, build a psychological edge that can be hard to overturn later on. The racecourses will be set close to shore, within a two‑kilometre zone, so spectators can watch directly from the waterfront. On land, the race village will feature a main stage, giant screens, interactive entertainment, shops and the usual gastronomic delights.



While the line‑up for this opening regatta is already confirmed, the broader America’s Cup tournament is set to grow. Organisers say new applications have been lodged. Rumour has it that three new challengers are in the pipeline: an Australian team, another Italian entry, and an American‑Czech syndicate backed by billionaire Karel Komárek. The timing is challenging for newcomers – the boat-building deadline has passed – so any new entrants would have to buy and upgrade AC75 yachts from previous cycles.



Meanwhile, Peter Burling – a star of the last three America’s Cups – has swapped New Zealand for Italy. It recently emerged that his falling out with his home team came down to Burling’s wish to combine the Cup with other regattas. The Italian team proved far more relaxed about that with the youngest three‑time America’s Cup winner.



But while some sailors are making peace, others are picking fights. The dispute between two knights of the realm – GB1 team principal Ben Ainslie and INEOS’s Jim Ratcliffe – continues to escalate. After their partnership ended in early 2025, the two sides moved into open confrontation. INEOS claims the AC75 yacht built for the previous America’s Cup, which cost around £180 million, belongs to the company and cannot be used by Ben Ainslie’s new team without permission. Ainslie insists the opposite is true – that the yacht and all associated assets legally belong to his organisation. The row has turned legal: INEOS has begun court proceedings, demanding the return of the boat, adding a healthy dose of pre‑start legal drama to the coming America’s Cup.



As we can see, the road to Naples – where the final match of the 2027 America’s Cup will be sailed – begins not only with sporting rivalry but also with backroom intrigue. That, after all, has been part of the America’s Cup ever since its earliest days, right through its 175‑year history.