America's Cup: With regret and understanding - no America's Cup in Auckland

It's not good news for the many sailing fans in New Zealand: the America's Cup will not be returning to the land of the long white cloud for its 38th edition. This was announced late on Monday evening by the defenders of Emirates Team New Zealand, who adopted a very moderate and understanding tone, as the economic situation in New Zealand is tense.

America's Cup: again no home game for the Kiwis

Emirates Team New Zealand's statement on the organisation of the 38th America's Cup in Auckland:

"Since winning the 37th America's Cup in October last year, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Emirates Team New Zealand have been exploring the possibility of hosting the 38th America's Cup in Auckland. They realised that it would take a combination of private support, local government support and central government support to make it happen, but not at the expense of funding other priorities in a difficult economic climate.

During this time, Team Trost has been encouraged by private support and has worked with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited who have proactively led the bid process. So it is now both disappointing and understandable that MBIE (Redanktion: Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment) and central government have decided not to support the 38th America's Cup 2027 in Auckland.

While the significant economic benefits of hosting the America's Cup and other major events have been demonstrated, for example through €1.034 billion ($1.9 billion New Zealand dollars) in economic benefits in Barcelona in 2024, we understand that there are other priorities for the New Zealand Government at this time."

The will was there, the challenge too great

The 36th America's Cup was last held in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2021 under difficult conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Back then, the Kiwis defeated the Italian team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 7:3 in their home Hauraki Gulf. The 37th America's Cup could no longer be held in New Zealand due to funding problems. Barcelona was the European Cup summit in 2024, and for sailing enthusiasts in New Zealand, the understanding cancellation means another loss.

The New Zealand Herald newspaper reports that Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) has also released a statement saying, among other things: "This situation highlights once again that New Zealand needs a long-term, sustainable funding model to support major events. Major events bring significant economic, cultural and social benefits to the country, including increased tourism, job creation and an international profile."

The TAU team had worked hard to capitalise on this opportunity for Auckland and said: "We already have the infrastructure and expertise for major events and were keen to welcome our sailors to home waters." Click here to go to the homepage for the 38th America's Cup.

The new America's Cup harbour should be decided by June

Experts assume that New Zealand's sailing racing team has its sights set on a target sum of around 150 million euros to finance the defence, which is to be raised through public and private funds. However, New Zealand's economy is struggling and the country is unable and unwilling to make a decisive contribution, although everyone agrees that New Zealand would benefit from an intensive tourism revitalisation after the difficult pandemic period.

According to their own announcement, the Cup defenders still have until June 2025 to decide on another venue. The protocol is to be published before then. Originally, Valencia and Jeddah were under discussion as possible venues for the 38th America's Cup, in addition to Auckland, which has now been definitively cancelled.

Officially, apart from Auckland, only Rio de Janeiro had expressed an interest in bidding. This was first reported by the Italian daily newspaper La Stampa. However, rumours also circulated about possible venues in Italy or even Greece. Click here for the first preview of the 38th America's Cup given by the defenders in November last year.

The countdown is on

The fact that Auckland is now officially out of the question may also be an indication that negotiations with another host are about to be finalised and that the Kiwis have made one last attempt to persuade the decision-makers in New Zealand to host the event while the countdown clock ticks ever louder. If that was the case, then it is now finally clear that this comeback will not happen for the time being.

At the moment, the America's Cup is under pressure when it comes to planning on land. This clip shows some of the most intense sailing moments in America's Cup history: