Emirates Renews Sponsorship for New Zealand’s America’s Cup Defense

Emirates has reaffirmed its commitment to New Zealand’s sailing team by renewing its partnership as the naming sponsor. This announcement comes as Emirates Team New Zealand intensifies its preparations to defend the prestigious America’s Cup, scheduled to take place in Naples next year. The team clinched victory against Ben Ainslie‘s British crew in the final match of the 37th America’s Cup held in Barcelona in 2024, further solidifying their dominance in this historic event.

Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, expressed pride in the team’s achievements, stating, “By lifting the Auld Mug for a third consecutive time, Emirates Team New Zealand has charted a course that no team in America’s Cup history has achieved before.” This sentiment underscores the significance of their ongoing collaboration, which aims to bolster the team’s competitive edge.

Grant Dalton, the Chief Executive of Emirates Team New Zealand, highlighted the confidence that comes with Emirates’ continued support. He remarked, “Having Emirates alongside us again gives the team enormous confidence as we take on the responsibility of defending the America’s Cup… and our focus is firmly on preparing to perform at our best.” This partnership is part of the broader America’s Cup Partnership (ACP), a framework designed to ensure continuity for sponsors and teams alike.

Upcoming Challenges and Competitions

The upcoming 38th America’s Cup will feature teams racing in cutting-edge AC75 foiling monohulls. The event is backed by Louis Vuitton, which sponsors the competition. In addition, the Louis Vuitton Cup will determine which challenger secures the right to compete against the defending champions in the America’s Cup Match.

On January 21, the five founding teams of the ACP—Emirates Team New Zealand, Britain’s GB1, Italy’s Luna Rossa, Switzerland’s Tudor Team Alinghi, and France’s K-Challenge—are expected to announce the schedule and details for the next America’s Cup.

Earlier, Ben Ainslie’s GB1 team declared their intent to compete for the America’s Cup once again, marking Ainslie’s fourth consecutive attempt to “bring the Cup home.” The team has appointed Dylan Fletcher as the helm for this latest campaign. While they have yet to name a second helm, the support from Oakley Capital, which recently acquired a majority stake in Ainslie’s team, suggests a significant investment in their bid for success.

As the sailing world gears up for this prestigious event, the renewed partnership between Emirates and Emirates Team New Zealand signals a strong commitment to excellence and competitive spirit in the upcoming challenge for the America’s Cup.