Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
For the first time in its history, the America’s Cup, the most prestigious trophy in international sailing, will be staged in Naples in 2027. This choice is a great recognition for this capital of the Mediterranean and for the strategic role played by Italy in the global sports scene. It is clearly an important opportunity for economic, cultural and tourist development for the South. The experience of the 373rd America’s Cup held in Barcelona demonstrated the huge potential for economic impact that such an event can have. EUR 1,034 billion of direct economic benefit for the host city; EUR 208.5 million of tax revenue and the creation of more than 12,000 full-time equivalent jobs. During the 59 official days of the event, Barcelona welcomed 1.8 million visitors, with over 460,000 people coming exclusively to watch the America’s Cup. Numbers that show that this competition is a formidable driver of growth and attractiveness. Naples, with its strategic position on the Mediterranean, will prepare itself in the best possible way to welcome this challenge. Its natural beauty, the extraordinary hospitality of its people, combined with a thousand-year-old cultural heritage that includes UNESCO sites, masterpieces of art, music and literature, make it an ideal stage for this global event. The America’s Cup 2027 will not only be a great sporting event, but an opportunity to enhance the cultural identity of the city, regenerate urban spaces and attract public and private investment, with positive effects on tourism, the local economy and employment.
Italy has also written a memorable page in the history of sailing with the victory of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli women’s team in the first Puig Women’s America’s Cup, held in Barcelona. Led by skipper Giulia Conti, the Italian sailors won the world Cup, beating the British team Athena Pathway in a hard-fought final. That success is a historic milestone for women’s sport and testifies to Italian excellence even in a fast-evolving and increasingly inclusive sector.
Hosting the 383rd America’s Cup will also be an opportunity to strengthen Italy’s role in sports diplomacy. Events of this magnitude are powerful tools for building international relations, promoting dialogue between cultures and conveying values of cooperation, sustainability and peace. Sport, in fact, is one of the most effective forms of soft power: it creates connections between peoples, generates trust and opens new channels of institutional and commercial collaboration.
Finally, data from the last edition also highlights an unprecedented media impact: EUR 1.367 billion of media value, with a 64% increase compared to the previous edition; over 954 million viewers reached and more than 11,000 hours of global coverage, with an exponential growth in digital content (+1,012% views on Instagram, +375% on YouTube, +234% on all social media). Italy will therefore have the opportunity to show the entire world its organizational skills, its technological innovation and its naturalistic, cultural and productive excellence.
The organisation of the 2027 America’s Cup in Naples is a milestone that rewards Italy and opens up new growth prospects. We must seize this opportunity with determination and strategic vision. We must all prepare ourselves – both the national government and local institutions – to make the event not only a sporting celebration, but also a driver of economic development, cultural promotion and international cooperation for the entire country. It is clear that Naples, its local institutions and the national government, shall face the challenge of preparing the Bagnoli site in a serious and concrete manner. In a modern, concrete and realistic manner. But I am sure that the America’s Cup will be a moment in which Naples will be able to show confidence in itself again. The America’s Cup shall become a “Naples Cup” we shall win with enthusiasm, dedication and responsibility.