In a festive ceremony at the historic Casino del Bel Respiro in Rome, the 38th America's Cup by Louis Vuitton officially presented. The Italian Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, presented the prestigious sailing event on behalf of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The event marks the symbolic start of the most important sailing competition in the world, which is being held in Italy for the first time.
Naples becomes the venue for the regatta.
Mayor Gaetano Manfredi announced that Naples will host the America's Cup. He emphasized the city's historical connection to the sea and highlighted the symbolic significance: "The choice of Naples is a privilege and a great opportunity." The city has been a maritime center for 2,500 years, founded by Greek sailors, and has a deep-rooted tradition in sailing.
Particular attention will be paid to the Bagnoli district, which is to be extensively redesigned as part of the event. Manfredi announced his intention to create "the Naples of tomorrow" there in order to provide sustainable urban development impetus through the event.
International praise and economic prospects
Grant Dalton, co-CEO of the defending champion Emirates Team New Zealand and representative of the America's Cup events, praised Naples as the ideal venue. He emphasized the historical significance and the city's passion for sailing. He also emphasized the economic effect of the Cup, which experience has shown to act as a catalyst for urban development.
Dalton recalled Italy's long history in the America's Cup, which began in 1983 with the Azzurra campaign and continued in 2024 with the most recent participation. He particularly emphasized the great media interest from Italy, which recently accounted for around a quarter of global coverage.
Meloni: Southern Italy as a driver of national development
In her speech, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the national importance of the event. She welcomed the representatives of Emirates Team New Zealand and the America's Cup and Louis Vuitton Cup trophies to Rome and described the event as a "global symbol of sporting passion and innovation".
Meloni placed the event in the context of a strategic reorientation of southern Italy. In her opinion, the America's Cup should not only have a profound effect in terms of sport, but also economically and socially. For example, a stronger integration of sailing into school education is planned, particularly in the area of STEM subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology).
Meloni concluded by reiterating her support for the Italian Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team. The staging of the Cup should be an "unforgettable experience", driven by national pride and team spirit.
