Barcelona will host the 37th edition of the America’s Cup Sailing Competition
The oldest sporting competition in history and the most important in the sailing world arrives in Barcelona today 22 August. Spectators will be able to follow the races from the Port Vell, where the teams’ bases will be set up, from the beaches of Barcelona or from boats between the Olympic Port and the impressive Hotel Vela, where the racecourse will be located.
What’s the America’s Cup? The history of the America’s Cup
The America’s Cup is considered the oldest sporting competition in the world. Its beginnings date back to 1851, but only 36 editions have been held. It’s considered one of the most important and difficult sporting challenges. It’s estimated to generate an impact in Barcelona of more than one billion euros.
Its origins go back to a challenge in which the American team New York Yacht Club challenged the English Royal Yacht Squadron of Cowes. The Americans travelled to the UK 174 years ago, and the Americans themselves were victorious.
Until 1983, the United States held the longest winning streak in sailing yacht racing. But that year, Australia won and the Americans experienced the defeat as a humiliation.
In the early 1990s, Spain entered the competition and four years later, in 1995, the Spanish sailboat finished sixth, in an edition in which both Australia and the United States missed out on the prize.
Teams and participants for the 2024 America’s Cup
Six teams are competing in this new edition of the America’s Cup:
– Emirates Team New Zealand (New Zealand), the team that won the last edition and is in possession of the trophy.
– INEOS Britannia (United Kingdom), the team that challenged the winners.
– Alingui Red Bulle Racing (Switzerland)
– Luna Rubia Prada Pirelli Team (Italy)
– New York Yacht Club American Magic (USA)
– Orient Express Racing Team (France)
The Barcelona edition also includes the Youth America’s Cup and, for the first time in history, a category especially dedicated to women, the Puig Women’s America’s Cup.
State-of-the-art boats, equipped with hydrofoils, will fly over the waters of the Barcelona coastline at almost 100 km/hour to take first place in a race where there is only one winner.
How to watch the America’s Cup 2024
The participating teams will be based in the Port Vell, where several areas have been set up to follow the races, as well as the Race Village in the Moll de la Madera, with free access, and the new Olympic Port, which opens this summer after a big transformation, where tens of thousands of spectators will be able to congregate every day.
To guarantee a perfect view, the racecourse area, in the Port Vell, right next to the breakwaters at the entrance to the port, will have large areas for fans, viewing platforms on the beach, as well as a hospitality area.
The America’s Cup will also reach the shopping centres, with giant screens to enjoy the competition in the different neighbourhoods of Barcelona:
– Glorias Shopping Centre (7 and 8 September).
– Plaça de la Sagrada Família (14 and 15 September)
– Plaza de Conxa Pérez (21 and 22 September)
– Plaça de Virrey Amat (28 September)
– Jardines de la Villa Florida (29 September)
– Cruz Cubierta, 26 (4th October)
– Jardinets de Gràcia (5 October)
– Plaça de Catalunya (11 October)
– Passeig de la Reina Elisenda (19 October)
Events in Barcelona during the America’s Cup competition
During the America’s Cup there will be a variety of different events taking place throughout the city of Barcelona:
– Catalan Sailing Skate Exhibition
the largest Catalan sailing skate exhibition regatta in history will be held. The exhibition will take place in October, and the Catalan skaters will share the same race course as the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup teams. A record turnout of some 300 sail skaters is expected.
– Museums and culture
Barcelona’s museums, libraries and cultural facilities will be flooded with ideas and activities to immerse yourself in the seas and oceans. Exhibitions, talks, debates, shows and family activities invite visitors to explore technology, the challenges facing coastal cities, the work and dreams of women sailors, expeditions across the sea, the best maritime literature and even the song of mermaids.
– Barcelona’s main festival (La Mercè)
The Olympic Port (Moll de Mistral) will be the setting for La Mercè for the first time, on 21, 22 and 24 September. Both during the day and at night there will be different activities for all tastes, from family activities to concerts and evening parties.
– Seafood tastings
The products and flavours of the sea will be the stars of the activities at the Barcelona Markets. The city’s best kitchens will take to the streets so that everyone can enjoy gastronomy and local commerce in the festive atmosphere of the America’s Cup. Some of these gastronomic events are:
– Street Food & Market Barceloneta (27-29 September)
– Poblenou Wine Festival (5-6 and 11-12 October)
– Tapa Fest 2024 (30 September)
– Born Gastronomic District (end of September-end of October)
Cheap accommodation in Barcelona
At Twentytu Hostel Barcelona we offer you a pleasant and economical stay, where you can enjoy our services, and a location very close to the sea. If you are going to become a spectator of the America’s Cup, we are only 20 minutes walking distance from the Olympic Port and Bogatell beach, where the activities of this great sailing event will take place in Barcelona.
Check our availability and prices here.
