New America's Cup protocol sees female sailors, battery power in 'seismic change' for the Auld Mug

America's Cup Gets a Major Overhaul: Smaller Crews, More Inclusivity, and Battery Power

New rules shake up historic sailing competition for 2027 regatta.

WELLINGTON — The America’s Cup just got a major makeover. Announced Tuesday, the new rules for the 38th edition of the prestigious regatta in Naples, Italy in July 2027 have been called a “seismic moment” and the “boldest change in 174 years of the Cup.”

Gone are the days of large crews; teams will now be limited to five members, including at least one woman. Each team must also include at least two nationals, with one being female, reflecting the country of origin. Adding a new twist, each boat will also carry a sixth "guest" crew member - anyone from a celebrity or influencer to a media representative or sponsor.

Sustainability and Efficiency Take Center Stage

In a bid to modernize the event, most functions on the 76-foot America’s Cup boats will now be powered by batteries rather than human effort. The regatta itself will also occur every two years instead of three, fostering more frequent competition.

A new governance system has been established, giving all competing teams equal responsibility for organizing both on-water and off-water aspects of the event, as well as control over media and commercial rights.

"This is a seismic moment," says Athena Racing Team Principal.

The changes have been met with largely positive responses from competitors and key stakeholders.

“As the founding Trustee of the America’s Cup, we are completely supportive of the move to modernize the oldest sporting trophy in the world,” said Jay Cross, commodore of the New York Yacht Club, the first team to win the America's Cup back in 1851.

Team New Zealand, a dominant force in recent regattas, echoed these sentiments. "Although the America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport and the pinnacle of sailing, its Achilles heel has always been its lack of continuity," said Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton. "This transformation now gives all teams collective stewardship.”

To keep costs under control, a cap of €75 million ($87 million) has been imposed on each team competing in 2027. Returning teams will have to retain their existing hulls while new contenders can either acquire an AC75 hull or build one to the same specifications.

Athena Racing team principal Ben Ainslie, whose team is the Challenger of Record, emphasized the collaborative spirit behind the changes. "The partnership agreement fundamentally reshapes the governance and organization of the event,” Ainslie said. “The teams and yacht clubs share a vision to make the America’s Cup more inclusive, compelling and financially sustainable."

These significant alterations come after a period of contention during the protocol development process, with some challengers criticizing Team New Zealand's management of the event.