Why You Shouldn't Miss Naples' America's Cup Weekend September 24 - 27, 2026 (Even If You Don't Sail)
You don't need to know a single thing about sailing—or know the difference between a port and a starboard—to enjoy Naples this weekend. From September 24 to September 27, the Bay of Naples is hosting the preliminary regatta for the America's Cup, featuring state-of-the-art foiling boats that literally hover above the water at speeds over 50 mph (45+ knots). With Mount Vesuvius looming in the background, it's essentially Formula 1 on the sea, and the atmosphere on land is nothing short of electric.
9/24/20262 min read
PH Facebook America's Cup
You don't need to know a single thing about sailing—or know the difference between a port and a starboard—to enjoy Naples this weekend.
From September 24 to September 27, the Bay of Naples is hosting the preliminary regatta for the America's Cup, featuring state-of-the-art foiling boats that literally hover above the water at speeds over 50 mph (45+ knots). With Mount Vesuvius looming in the background, it's essentially Formula 1 on the sea, and the atmosphere on land is nothing short of fantasticaaa!
Why It's Special (And Yes, It's 100% Free)
You don't need a ticket or a private boat charter to experience the excitement. The city has turned the entire seaside promenade into a massive outdoor party:
Free Race Village: Located along the waterfront at Rotonda Diaz, the official Race Village opens daily at 11:00 AM. Expect giant screen broadcasts, live music, food stalls, team presentation stages, and pop-up bars.
Front-Row Views: Via Caracciolo is fully pedestrianized, giving everyone a free, unobstructed view of the high-speed course straight from the coast.
Who to Root For: If you need a team, support the hometown favorites: Italy's Luna Rossa.
Schedule & Race Times
Plan your day around the main events out on the water:
Date: Thursday, Sept 24
Race Village Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
On-Water Race Schedule: Official Practice Races (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Date: Friday, Sept 25
Race Village Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
On-Water Race Schedule: Fleet Races (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Date: Saturday, Sept 26
Race Village Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
On-Water Race Schedule: Fleet Races (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Date: Sunday, Sept 27
Race Village Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
On-Water Race Schedule: Final Match Race (2:00 PM) & Trophy Ceremony (5:00 PM)
The Non-Sailing Weekend Hit-List
If you're making a day of it, combine the races with some classic Neapolitan weekend rituals:
Morning Coffee Start: Grab a dark roast espresso and a warm, flaky sfogliatella at a neighborhood café before heading toward the shore.
Promenade Stroll: Walk down the waterfront to catch the dock-out ceremonies as the teams launch their boats.
Midday Pizza: Sit down for a classic wood-fired Margherita pizza—Naples does it best, after all.
Sunset Spritz: Finish the afternoon with an Aperol Spritz overlooking the seaside castle as the sun goes down over the bay.
How to Get There via Public Transit
Because roads along the waterfront (including Via Caracciolo) are closed to traffic, driving is strongly discouraged. Stick to public transportation:
Metro Line 6: Get off at Arco Mirelli - Repubblica—it's a quick 5-minute walk straight to the water.
Metro Line 2 / Train: Take Line 2 to Piazza Amedeo and enjoy a brief 10-minute walk down toward the shore.
Bus: Routes 151 (connecting from Napoli Centrale station) and 140 run along Riviera di Chiaia, just one block back from the promenade.
Whether you're going for the speed, the food, or just the waterfront energy, Naples is putting on a show this weekend!
For more information, schedule updates, and live streaming, visit the official website at americascup.com.