Water sports enthusiasts have a new unmissable date next year. It is the America’s Cup 2024: the most important sailing competition in the world, which awards the prize also known by many as the Auld Mug. According to experts, it is the third event of its kind with the greatest impact on the host country, after the iconic Olympic Games and the Football World Cup.
If you’re interested in seeing the 172-year-old America’s Cup up close, you’ll be delighted to know where the America’s Cup is being held this time around, as it will take place in the city of Barcelona. It is a great chance to attend this amazing event and witness something historic. Are you already preparing your bags? It’s your big chance!
America’s Cup 2024: Barcelona
America’s Cup Barcelona will start on 22 August 2024 with the first races, while the competition will officially begin in September. This 37th edition will be enjoyed from the beaches of the Catalan city, which will welcome the first participants as early as April of this year, so that they can build their bases for the event. The spectacle will be served from the eve of Easter and will be an excellent occasion for sports tourism in Barcelona.
Barcelona has a history in this respect, as it successfully hosted the 1992 Olympic Games and that was one of the reasons why it was seen as a winning option for this competition, according to Grant Dalton, CEO of the event. In addition, this will boost the progress of the works on the port of Barcelona and will be a boost for the city’s image on an international level.
The logo of this cup is also in line with the 2023 edition that is scheduled for next year. The Barcelona studio Pràctica has created a design for the America’s Cup in which the silhouette of the Cup itself stands out, together with the B that honours the city of Barcelona.
The defending team will be Emirates Team New Zealand, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The challenger teams will be INEOS Britannia (UK), American Magic (USA), Luna Rossa Challenge (Italy) and Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Switzerland). The sponsors with the largest investment will be the ones participating in the competition.
The area chosen for the America’s Cup 2024 regattas is located between the Olympic Port and the Hotel Vela, so that everything will be easily visible from the centre. In addition, the organisation is linking this event to its Hydrogen project, which promotes sustainability in water sports and the maritime industry.
Events and activities ahead of the America’s Cup 2024
The celebration of the America’s Cup is a big attraction and can be seen from start to finish in Barcelona: the first base constructions this April, some training sessions that will see hotel W light up at night, the preliminary regattas in August next year, the start of the competitions in September and the end of the event in October.
There are a number of previous events and other championships related to the world of sailing that can be enjoyed in Barcelona from this year onwards, and here is a small calendar with all of them.
PRE-REGATTA IN VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ
ACE Barcelona, organisers of this edition of the America’s Cup, is presenting a pre-regatta in September 2023 in Vilanova i la Geltrú, less than 50 km from Barcelona. This four-day event will see the six participating teams face each other for the first time in this preliminary competition.
America’s Cup Experience
The local organisers, together with the international organisers, are planning a space that will be called the America’s Cup Experience and which can be enjoyed throughout this sporting event. It has an informative aspiration and will include historical data, team information, sailing innovation and maritime science. It will have a large 600 square metre screen to watch the competitions, an area for children and a virtual simulation space to experience the regattas in a completely different way. It is planned to be located in the IMAX building.
Preliminary tests
Before the start of the 37th America’s Cup sailing competition, various preliminary races will take place. The most interesting will be the final preliminary race, the Challenger Selection Series and certain events that will take place towards the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, although the organisers estimate that there will be three more.
The team bases
For the curious, it will be possible to watch the construction of the team bases, which will begin in April 2023. It is estimated that, by the summer of this year, they will be completed and the teams will be installed in their respective bases to get ready for the first regattas. From September, the teams will begin to train and check all the logistics and technical aspects so that everything goes smoothly during the competition.
Women’s and Youth America’s Cup
One of the big events this year is the women’s only sailing regatta, which will be held for the first time in 171 years. There will also be a championship for promising young sailors. Both events will take place at the Port Olímpic, which is already being refurbished to provide the necessary facilities to host the teams taking part in these events. The Youth America’s Cup will take place on 19 September 2024, while the Women’s America’s Cup will start on 3 October.
Barcelona World Race
The Barcelona World Race is the only round the world regatta with two crew members on each of the boats and is characterised by its starting and finishing point in the port of Barcelona. It is a different kind of regatta, this time organised by the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona (FNOB), which will be of interest to fans of this discipline and is usually held every year between January and April. Its last edition was cancelled due to funding problems, but nothing prevents them from resuming this tradition for the following season in 2024.
Solo Med Regatta
The Solo Med regatta is a single-handed regatta that takes place in the Mediterranean Sea. It debuted in 2022 and is scheduled to return in future editions, as this year the event will take place on 7 May. The organisers of this event are Club Nàutic de Sa Ràpita (Mallorca), the FNOB and Base Mini Barcelona.
Port de Barcelona Nadal Cup
The hardest part of winter is little enough for the intrepid who opt to join in this long-standing tradition. It consists of a wonderful swim in the waters of the port of Barcelona, albeit in the middle of December and at very unpleasant temperatures.
Where to stay during America’s Cup Barcelona 2024
Already thinking about accommodation for the America’s Cup 2024 or any of its preliminary events? This is something you’ll need to plan well in advance, as this massive event is expected to exhaust all available options for the season and host an unprecedented number of people.
Given the location of the America’s Cup, accommodation must be strategic. For this, there is no better option than Lugaris Beach, with serviced apartments right by the beaches of Nova Mar Bella, Mar Bella, Bogatell, Nova Icària, Barceloneta, Somorrostro, Sant Sebastià and Sant Miquel. A totally privileged location for this occasion.
You will have different options to choose from and all of them with the comforts you need during your adventure. Air conditioning, a coffee machine for your breakfasts, a safe, a wonderful double bed, an oven so you can make your best recipes, an essential dishwasher, a flat-screen television and even a hairdryer.
At Lugaris we offer you a weekly cleaning service so that you don’t have to worry about this either, allowing you to enjoy the complex’s swimming pool or the best views from the balcony of your flat. You will also have security and surveillance to prevent incidents during your stay.
NUESTROS APARTAMENTOS EN BARCELONA
Since 2010, Lugaris Apartaments has been offering you the best holiday rental flats in Barcelona, perfect for a family holiday, with friends or as a couple, or for medium-term stays.
You can choose between apartments near the beach in Barcelona, at Lugaris Beach, with sea views, 2 swimming pools (one for adults and one for children) and capacity for up to 6 people, and the Lugaris Rambla flats, located on the Rambla de Poblenou and just 300 m from Bogatell beach, with a balcony or terrace of up to 22 m2 and ideal for couples or families and groups of up to 5 people. All our luxury flats in Barcelona are air-conditioned and equipped with all the appliances, furniture and bed linen you will need during your stay. They also have satellite TV and free high-speed Wi-Fi connection, as well as a safe and a 24-hour private security service.
What’s more, when you make your booking, you can reserve many other additional services: international press in your flat, parking space, transfer service to and from Barcelona airport, bicycle hire, supermarket shopping, museum, sports and show tickets, babysitting service and much more.
For more information, contact Lugaris Apartments without obligation.
