Sawt Falasteen - In Italian debut, 2027 America's Cup to be held in Naples

It will be the first time the world's most prestigious regatta takes place in Italy and the home advantage gives the hosts a chance to finally win one of the oldest competitions in international sport.

"I am proud to announce that the America's Cup will be held, for the first time in history, in Italy. Naples will be the host city in 2027 for the 38th edition of the world's most famous and prestigious sailing tournament," Meloni said in a statement.

The races will be held in the spring and summer of 2027.

"The fight for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup will take place under the watchful shadow of Mt Vesuvius and just off the waterfront of the vibrant city," read a statement from organisers.

Holders Team New Zealand -- who have held the America's Cup since 2017 -- will be defending the title they won by defeating INEOS Britannia in Barcelona in October last year.

While it is traditionally the holders who choose the venue, Team New Zealand said last month they could not secure government backing to host the regatta.

But Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton welcomed the alternative choice of venue and said Italians were "the most passionate and engaged America’s Cup audience".

He cited Italian challenger Luna Rossa, which lost to New Zealand in the 2021 edition in Auckland, as "such an amazing team and strong competitor".

"So, from the Defender's position it certainly feels like we are entering the lion's den competitively, but from an event perspective it feels like the perfect venue to host the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup," Dalton said.

Italian crews have reached the final match race three times, most recently in 2021.

Luna Rossa fell at the penultimate hurdle last year, eliminated by INEOS Britannia in Barcelona. The British crew went on to lose to New Zealand in the final.

The status of both the New Zealand crew and their British challengers are shrouded in uncertainty just two years before the next event.

Peter Burling, who skippered New Zealand to victory in 2021 and 2024, will play no part in their bid to retain their title in 2027 after he failed to reach an agreement with the team management.

And British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS Britannia team has withdrawn its plan to compete in the next edition after a bitter wrangle with the skipper last year, Ben Ainslie.

Ratcliffe, who also owns Manchester United, said last month it had "reluctantly withdrawn its challenge" after a six-month delay in reaching an agreement with Ainslie's company.

That clears the way for Ainslie to mount a challenge himself -- if the British former Olympic gold medallist can raise the substantial funding required.

J.AbuHassan--SF-PST