The America’s Cup Sailing 2024, one of the most prestigious sailing events in the world, will be held in Barcelona from August 22 to October 27, 2024.
The so-called Formula 1 of sailing is just that, a qualifying race competition with the most technologically developed sailing boats in the world, capable of exceeding 100 km/h in their races.
The event wants to be an economic jolt for the city in the style of previous milestones such as the Olympic Games or the Forum of Cultures. The truth is that much of the port is undergoing a major transformation, with works in the waterfront area and the installation of ephemeral facilities, such as the village of the competing teams or those open to the public.
On the other hand, the event has generated controversy in part of the city, which does not consider that an exclusive event (with tickets starting at 500€) is necessary in a Barcelona that suffers problems of tourist overcrowding.
To sort out all the information about this great competition , we tell you everything you need to know about the America’s Cup Sailing 2024 (or the 37th America’s Cup) in Barcelona..
When is the America’s Cup? Calendar of events
The America’s Cup will run from August 22 to October 27, 2024. During this time, there will be a series of main races that will define the winners of the competition. We leave you the calendar with the most relevant races.
Events Calendar
- August 22: Opening Ceremony.
- August 22 to 25: Preliminary races.
- August 29 to October 7: Louis Vuitton Cup, where the team that will challenge the defender is decided.
- The Louis Vuitton Cup.
- 10 to 26 September: Youth America’s Cup.
- October 12 to 27: America’s Cup Finals, where the defender will face the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup in a race series
.
Where is the America’s Cup held
?
The racing area of the competition is, obviously, in the sea, and “the track”, the stretch where the boats will race, covers the stretch of water between Barceloneta and Bogatell, approximately.
On land, the event has been spread over several spaces. It will mainly focus on the Port Vell, where the Race Village will be set up along the Moll de la Fusta. This space will offer free access to the public, allowing a direct connection with the races and the teams.
In addition, in the Maremagnum area, in the old IMAX building, the America’s Cup Experience, a museum about the competition whose main attraction is a virtual reality (VR) simulator to experience, in first person, the thrill of sailing.
In addition, each participating team will be based at different locations within the port:
- Emirates Team New Zealand, the defending champions, will be based near the extension of the Ramblas, on the promontory leading to the World Trade Center.
- INEOS Britannia will be based near the superyacht docking facility adjacent to IMAX.
- Alinghi Red Bull Racing will be near the Barcelona Aquarium and Maremagnum shopping center.
- American Magic Team will be located at the Marina Barcelona 92 facilities, near the promenade.
- Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli will opt for a base at the western end of the harbor entrance.
- K-Challenge, the French team, will be based at the Moll de Ponen
.
Mobility in the America’s Cup: accreditations for Barceloneta residents
The mobility in the port area and the coastline of Barcelona will be seriously affected during the 37th America’s Cup, with restricted traffic and public transport disruptions on race days.
One of the most criticized consequences of these effects has been the announcement that the residents of Barceloneta and its workers will have to ask for accreditations to be able to move freely around their neighborhood by transport, so that this will not affect the workers of the race.
In this article we tell you all the details of mobility and the accreditation controversy.
Economic impact
One of the main motivations for attracting the America’s Cup to the city is the economic impact it will supposedly have on the city. According to some reports, the estimated impact will be in excess of US$1 billion and will involve the creation of 19,000 jobs.
A controversial event: demonstrations, apartments at 25,000 euros and tourist overcrowding
Faced with this alleged economic impact wielded by the administration to defend the event, part of the neighborhood of the city has been against the event.
They criticize the little need for an event that seeks to attract tourism in an already overcrowded city. The same call for the event has led to the first major demonstration of the city against mass tourism.
In addition, the closing of public spaces for private events has been criticized, such as the Louis Vuitton fashion show, which caused damage to the park and also ended in a demonstration with police charge included.
On the other hand, it is pointed out that part of the economic impact of the event translates into greater gentrification and greater tension in the real estate market, in a city where housing prices are increasingly prohibitive. Proof of this are some examples of apartments that have skyrocketed in price to the point of absurdity on the occasion of the America’s Cup.
Finally,the need for an exclusive event, with tickets at €500 per day, which is not aimed at the city’s neighborhood, is questioned.
500€ per day: that’s how much tickets are for the America’s Cup
With the event just around the corner,we’ve looked into the cost of tickets, which start at €500 per day. But that’s just the beginning. Tickets go up from there depending on the day of the competition or the desired pack.
History of the America’s Cup
The America’s Cup is the oldest sailing event in the world, with a history dating back to 1851. In this competition, the defender of the trophy faces challenging teams from around the world.
The competition is nicknamed the Formula 1 or Olympic Games of sailing. In fact, the America’s Cup is the third most watched competition on television after the Olympic Games and the World Cup, with some 700 million viewers.
The last edition, won by New Zealand, was in 2021 in Oackland and the previous one in Hamilton (Bermuda) in 2017. In 2024, the defender will be Emirates Team New Zealand, which won the last edition in Auckland, New Zealand.
.