2024 America's Cup Yacht Charter – Head to Barcelona and Watch the 37th Edition of the Cup in Luxury

The 2024 America’s Cup: One of the Year’s Most Prestigious Yacht Racing Events

Dating back to 1851, the America’s Cup is the world’s oldest international trophy. The event is held every four years and sees teams compete in a series of one-on-one matches to determine who takes on the current holder of the America’s Cup, known as the Defender. For an incredible 132 years that Defender was the New York Yacht Club, who were finally toppled from their throne in 1983, by Australia. Since then, the America’s Cup has only been won by teams from the US, Switzerland, and New Zealand. 

Today, races are held in high tech foiling monohull sailing AC75 catamarans that reach speeds of up to 100km/h. This year the current Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, will be hoping to retain the title on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

The five other teams competing, known as the challengers, include: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, Orient Express Racing Team, NYYC American Magic, INEOS Britannia and Alinghi Red Bull Racing.

Beginning on the 22nd of August, and taking place over four days, all six teams will participate in the Barcelona Preliminary Regatta in their new AC75s with the two fastest teams competing in a winner-takes-all final on the fourth day.

Following this, the competition moves into the Louis Vuitton Cup stage where the five ‘challenger’ teams will race each other twice during the Challenger Selections Series, followed by a semi-final stage and a final, to see which of them will face the Defender in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match.

Edmiston broker Leif Gruner, who is based in Barcelona and has been privy to the exciting build-up to the tournament, says of the five challengers, INEOS Britannia and Alinghi Red Bull Racing are favourites to meet New Zealand in the final. Only time will tell if Gruner’s prediction proves right or if another team will emerge victorious, though with an America’s Cup yacht charter you will be right there to witness the excitement in real time, whatever happens.

Get the Most from Your Barcelona Yacht Charter: Front-Row Seats to the Action

An America’s Cup charter yacht provides front row seats to the action, providing guests with the ultimate viewing platform for the yacht racing events. Here, yachts can float directly next to the race field each day with guests able to enjoy unrivalled views of all the race action away from the crowds who gather on the beach and at the public viewing areas within the America’s Cup Race Village. 

With races taking place between 2pm and 4pm each day, we recommend looking for a luxury superyacht with large outdoor deck areas and lots of shade to ensure guests have shelter from the afternoon sun. Yachts with a Jacuzzi or pool are also a nice addition to cool down after the main action has finished each day.

On a Barcelona yacht charter there is no better place to berth than Marina Port Vell, located just a few minutes’ walk away from Barcelona’s historic centre. The marina also offers quick access to the race field each morning, as well as minimal transfer times to all the city’s best restaurants, sightseeing spots, museums and galleries. 

Throughout the tournament there will also be lots of exclusive events, dinners, and viewings through the official America’s Cup Superyacht Programme, with premium berthing and VIP experiences available, which your captain will have a direct line to.

Beyond the America’s Cup: What to do in Barcelona

Known for its galleries, chic café culture and famous attractions, such as the Sagrada Familia church and other legacies of the iconic Spanish architect and designer Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona is a cool and culturally rich city to explore.

Here Modernist architecture meets neoclassical buildings, colourful parks and dream-like cityscapes. When it comes to dining, guests can hop between tapas bars for a casual experience where they can mingle with the locals or book a table at one of the city’s world-class restaurants such as the three Michelin-starred Cocina Hermanos Torres for a truly memorable meal.

When the city’s sights have been exhausted, embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle with a cruise up the coast to smaller villages of the Costa Brava, or head across to the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza for some chilled days at anchor.