A Naples Double Header Next Summer: Italy by Sail and America’s Cup 2027

For sporting enthusiasts, the event presents a rare opportunity to combine the excitement of elite yacht racing with a classic Mediterranean sailing holiday through one of Italy’s most beautiful cruising regions.

At Sail Connections, we are already working closely with local boat charter operators and marinas, so we know exactly how it's all going to work and how we can actively support our clients wishing to experience the event from the water. While still enjoying everything the Bay of Naples and nearby coastlines north and south have to offer.

Having attended multiple America’s Cup regattas over the years, we know that the real magic is not just in the America's Cup racing itself, but in having put together an unforgettable sailing itinerary around it.

The Bay of Naples, also known as the Gulf of Naples, is uniquely suited to a style of holiday that mixes major event attendance with independent travel in the local region. You can spend the day close to the racing action and then retreat each evening to peaceful anchorages, island harbours and seaside restaurants far removed from the crowds ashore.

Naples Prepares for the America’s Cup

For the competitors, America’s Cup bases are being developed in Bagnoli, a former industrial waterfront west of central Naples. The transformation has echoes of Auckland’s significant waterfront redevelopment during New Zealand’s America’s Cup years — taking neglected industrial land and turning it into a vibrant public marine precinct.

The teams will operate from the remodelled Bagnoli marina, where spectators will be able to watch the AC75s depart for racing each day. Large public fan zones and viewing areas are planned, with live race coverage and hospitality spaces lining the waterfront.

The primary race village along Viale Francesco Caracciolo overlooks the Bay of Naples itself, with grandstands erected to provide excellent viewing of the racecourse, set against the backdrop of Mount Vesuvius and the historic foreshore of the Bay.

Watching the Racing from Your Charter Yacht

A big advantage of attending the America’s Cup by boat is flexibility. The Bay itself offers numerous marinas and anchorages stretching from Pozzuoli in the west right round to Sorrento. Close to town, moorings can often be found along the stretch from Castel dell’ Ovo to Pozzuolo.  

While demand will certainly increase during the regatta, this coastline has substantial marina infrastructure and a long boating tradition. There will be special race exclusion zones and environmental protections around sensitive seabed, but we expect charter yachts to still enjoy excellent viewing opportunities from designated spectator areas on the water.

As details become clearer, Sail Connections will continue collaborating with local operators to keep clients updated on marina reservations, spectator access and recommended cruising plans.

Why the Bay of Naples Works So Well for a Sailing Holiday

What makes Naples such an exciting host city is how close the racing is to some of Italy’s most rewarding cruising grounds.

Rather than staying in a busy city marina every night, charterers can easily combine the racing with island hopping and relaxed evenings ashore.

Procida Island, close to the AC38 action

Emirates Team NZ in training aboard 'Taihoro'

Luna Rossa's AC40 - Preliminary Regatta, Sardinia

Sorrento in the Bay of Naples

Procida — The Perfect Escape After Racing

The colourful island of Procida lies only six nautical miles from the America’s Cup base at Bagnoli, and may become one of the most desirable overnight stops during the regatta.

Far quieter and more authentic than Capri across the Bay, Procida is exactly the kind of place sailors dream of discovering on holiday. Pastel fishing villages tumble down to the waterfront, laundry hangs between narrow laneways, and small family-run restaurants line the marina.

Anchor off Marina Corricella or secure a berth nearby and enjoy:

• Fresh seafood dinners beside the water
• Early morning espresso and pastrie overlooking the harbour
• Calm evening swims from the boat
• A genuinely local Italian island atmosphere

After a busy race day in Naples, Procida offers the perfect contrast.

Ischia — Thermal Springs and Elegant Harbours

Just a short sail beyond Procida, Ischia is the largest island in the Bay and one of the Mediterranean’s great cruising destinations.

Ischia combines lush green hills, volcanic hot springs and sophisticated seaside towns. The island offers several excellent overnight options depending on weather and berth availability. Popular stops include:

• Ischia Ponte beneath the dramatic Castello Aragonese
• Lacco Ameno on the northern coast
• Forio for sunset dining
• Porto d’Ischia for easy marina access

On Ischia, restaurants spill out onto waterfront promenades, evenings ideal for long dinners featuring local seafood, rabbit dishes and wines produced from the island’s volcanic soils.

Many visiting sailors could easily spend an entire week moving between Naples, Procida and Ischia alone.

Capri and the Sorrento Peninsula

On the southern side of the Bay of Naples, Capri and Sorrento are just 10 to 12 nautical miles from the expected Louis Vuitton and America's Cup racing areas.

Capri delivers the classic glamour people imagine when they think of the Italian coast — dramatic cliffs, elegant boutiques and spectacular anchorages beneath towering limestone formations.

For overnight stays, boats congregate at 

• Capri's Marina Piccola anchorage in settled weather
• Marina Grande for marina access
• Nearby Nerano on the mainland for quieter evenings and exceptional restaurants

Sorrento offers a quite different feel, perched high above the sea with easy access to historic streets, cliffside hotels and lively piazzas. Sorrento's Marina Piccola beneath the old town provides convenient access ashore. 

A morning coffee looking across the bay toward Vesuvius before sailing back to the racecourse may become one of the unforgettable memories of an America’s Cup charter holiday.

• Amalfi Coast on Lay Days

One of the great advantages of basing yourself in Naples during the America’s Cup is that the Amalfi Coast lies within easy reach.

On lay days or between racing schedules, charter yachts can cruise south to experience Positano, Amalfi including Ravello and/or Cetara. Anchor beneath dramatic cliffs, dine ashore in tiny fishing villages and enjoy some of the Mediterranean’s most celebrated coastal scenery.

If cruising this coast becomes so captivating as it will do, and you have the time on say a two-week charter, continue sailing to Salerno, where the Cilento Coast beckons. 

For many visitors, these quieter cruising days become just as memorable as the racing itself.

For a visualisation of some of the region's best places to visit and overnight, see the Location Guide on our Bay of Naples Destination Page. 

More Than Just the America’s Cup Final

While the America’s Cup Match itself will attract global attention, seasoned followers know that the challenger series — the Louis Vuitton Cup — often delivers some of the most intense racing.

With six challenger teams currently expected to compete for the right to face Team New Zealand, the weeks leading into the final will provide exceptional on-water action.

Exact schedules are still to be confirmed, but expect plenty of racing, practice sessions and team activity well before the Final series begins.

Teams are expected to establish themselves in Naples from early 2027, with training and testing underway long before the first official race.

Bay of Naples 2026 Preliminary Regatta

If you cannot wait until 2027, Naples will also host an AC40 preliminary regatta in late September 2026.

This event should provide an early glimpse of how spectator access, race management and shore facilities will operate ahead of the main America’s Cup event. More to follow once details are released.

A Rare Opportunity to Experience Both Worlds

Very few sporting events lend themselves to a sailing holiday quite like the 2027 and 38thAmerica’s Cup.

The beauty of Naples is that you do not need to choose between the excitement of the racing and the pleasures of Mediterranean cruising. You can spend your days immersed in the atmosphere of the world’s greatest sailing competition, and your evenings anchored beneath colourful Italian villages enjoying fresh seafood and a glass of local wine.

For sailors, friends and families - and even if you are not avid sailors on a fully crewed boat -  this will surely be one of the great charter opportunities of the decade.

Start planning your sailing holiday today with Sail Connections. Combine taking a part in the ultimate in sailboat racing with the pleasures of being in one of Europe’s finest cruising regions. 

Looking beyond the horizon, the Mediterranean can't be beaten for a place to soak up the culture, history and beautiful weather by boat. Sail Connections has been arranging sailing holidays here for over 30 years. Talk to us about the best itineraries in any of the amazing Mediterranean charter destinations.

Banner image by Francesco Baerhard on Unsplash