World Sailing took a significant step by publicly supporting the creation of the America’s Cup Partnership (ACP), an alliance that aims to redefine the future of the oldest and most prestigious trophy in sailing. The announcement not only marks an institutional milestone, but also reflects a shared willingness to modernize governance without losing sight of the event’s historical heritage and symbolic weight within global sport.
The formation of this association, made up of five founding teams, opens a new chapter in the 174-year history of the America’s Cup. In a context where sustainability, stability and cooperation have become essential to the growth of elite sport, the ACP emerges as a collective response to contemporary challenges facing international sailing.
A historic alliance for a new governance model
The America’s Cup Partnership is composed of Emirates Team New Zealand, Athena Racing, Luna Rossa, Tudor Team Alinghi and K-Challenge, teams that represent tradition, innovation and diversity within the global sailing landscape. Their joint commitment to shared governance seeks to establish more solid and predictable foundations for the development of the event, moving away from fragmented models of the past.
World Sailing particularly welcomed the teams’ decision to invest in a stable sporting calendar and sustainable funding structures. This approach, aligned with the priorities of the governing body, aims to strengthen the high-performance sailing ecosystem, providing greater clarity for athletes, teams, sponsors and fans, without compromising the competitiveness that has historically defined the America’s Cup.
Innovation, legacy and global projection
For World Sailing, technical innovation and sporting excellence have always been fundamental pillars of the America’s Cup. The new alliance not only preserves that legacy, but expands its potential by positioning cooperation as a driver of growth. As highlighted by its Chief Executive Officer, David Graham, this initiative has the capacity to expand the reach of the sport and connect new audiences with sailing.
Institutional support also underscores a global projection ambition: increasing athlete visibility, inspiring more people to sail, and strengthening sailing’s position within the international sporting landscape. In this balance between tradition and transformation, the America’s Cup Partnership represents a historic turning point that redefines how the sport can evolve without losing its identity.
