Only 24 hours left until the official start of the 37th edition of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup in Barcelona with the American Magic New York Yacht Club. America’s Cup Events BCN, the organizer of the event, and the Barcelona City Council inaugurated all the venues of the event yesterday.

Although the opening competitions will not award valid points for the Louis Vuitton Cup, they will officially begin this Thursday with the first heats and will run until October 28, when the winner will win the Hundred Guinea Cup.

The AC-75 sailboats in the test

The opening races, in which no valid points for the Louis Vuitton Cup are awarded, officially begin this Thursday with the preliminary regattas.

Emirates Team New Zealand, defending champions from the last edition in Auckland in 2021, will face INEOS Britannia – the first challenger – as well as Alinghi Red Bull Racing, NYYC American Magic, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and Orient Express Racing Team – the four teams that joined later.

Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta

The preliminary regattas will take place in a preliminary round from August 22 to 25. The six elite teams, competing for the first time with the specially built AC-75 sailboats, will offer a first major demonstration of their skills on the waters off Barcelona.

The Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta will determine the two fastest teams, but the results are not binding for the America’s Cup. These two teams will qualify for the Final Regatta on August 25th, where the winner will be determined.

The regattas start every day at 2 p.m. and last until 4 or 5 p.m., depending on the regatta schedule. The closing ceremony and awards ceremony will take place on August 25 in the Race Village.

Open and free spaces for the public

Starting this Thursday, the public will be able to enter the Race Village for free. Located on the Moll de la Fusta, the space with giant screens and daily exhibitions will be open from 12 noon to 10 pm on weekdays and until 11 pm on weekends, and will cover 25,000 square meters.

Fans can also follow the regatta field from Plaza del Mar and Bogatell beach. The Plaza del Mar Fan Zone – open from 12pm to 8pm – overlooks the regatta field, while the Bogatell Fan Zone – accessible from 12pm to 10pm – is located near the Joven Copa and Copa Femenina team bases in the Port Olímpic, at the northern end of the regatta area.

In addition, two viewing points will be open to the public: one at the Research Pier in Port Olímpic and another at the north entrance of Port Vell next to the W Hotel.