America's Cup news & updates

The highly anticipated Race 1 of the 36th America’s Cup Match will start at 4pm on Wednesday 10th March.  Under COVID-19 Alert level 2 or 1, the race schedule will remain as planned with 2 races per day – Wednesday 10th, Friday 12th, Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th, Monday 15th and each day after that.  There will be racing until either the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand or the Challenger Luna Rossa reaches 7 wins.  Under Level 2, the bars, cafés and restaurants and other retail outlets within the America's Cup Race Village will open, and operate within Ministry of Health guidelines.   However live racing on the big screens, and activations are unable to operate until  Level 1.

Read the latest info from Auckland Transport here.  

Image © COR 36 | Studio Borlenghi

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There are up to 13 races in the PRADA Cup Finals, with the first team to win 7 races winning the PRADA Cup and progressing to the America’s Cup Match. Two races per day are scheduled on Saturday 13 Feb, Sunday 14 Feb and Wednesday 17 Feb, continuing then from 19 - 22 February, if required.  Racing stops once one teams wins seven races. 

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Image from Americascup.com

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The PRADA Cup Final is to be held between 13th and 22nd February. INEOS TEAM UK and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team will battle it out on the Hauraki Gulf. The first team to win 7 races will be awarded the PRADA Cup trophy.  The winning team will then have the right to race the defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, for the 36th America's Cup.

For info from Auckland Transport click here

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Image from Stuff.co.nz

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It’s race day again, and we’re heading into the knockout stage of the Prada Cup! Racing will take place today (Friday), Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday if required. There will be no racing on Monday.  

Racing today will be Course C which means some great on land viewing opportunities from key vantage spots. These include Maungauika North Head, Orakei, Bastion Point and other elevated locations along Tamaki Drive. The Race Director has indicated that conditions are looking very windy, so they will be monitoring this as the day goes on. 

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With American Magic unable to race this weekend there have been some changes to the upcoming schedule and no racing will take place on Friday.  The intention is to have one race per day on Saturday and Sunday as follows:

• Saturday 23rd of January 2021: LUNA ROSSA PRADA PIRELLI vs INEOS TEAM UK – Start at 16:00 NZT

• Sunday 24th of January 2021: INEOS TEAM UK vs LUNA ROSSA PRADA PIRELLI – Start at 16:00 NZT

Check out travel information here.

A new safety rule has emerged in the wake of American Magic’s capsize while an expanded inner-city racing zone has also been approved and will come into play when the Prada Cup round-robin racing resumes on Saturday.  The new safety rule will see a boat instantly ruled out of the race the moment it capsizes to allow quicker rescue assistance.

Alice Webb-Liddall (Stuff)  gives some great advice about how to hold a conversation on the America's Cup.  Alice explains the jargon, and what is happening, when and why.  It's a great read and will have you sounding like a pro in no time.   This article was first published on the Spinoff.  

The PRADA Cup Round Robins  start this weekend.  The five-week PRADA Cup Challenger Selection series will see the three challenger teams on the water, racing to determine who will take on Emirates Team New Zealand in the 36th America’s Cup Match in March.  The PRADA Cup consists of four Round Robins of three races each, a seven-race Semi-Final and a 13-race Final between the two leading teams. Lots of action on the water.  Check out details for this weekend below.  

Everything you need to know about the racing this week in one place.  Bus and ferry information, parking restrictions and road closures along with a new valet parking scheme to keep your bike and scooter safe while you are in Wynyard Quarter.  

The AT Mobile app is the place where all the latest updates can be found so if you need to know what's happening download the app now.  

Lots going on in the city centre in the run up to Christmas.  See details of access and transport as well as where you can watch the races on the big screens around the area.  Check out the Christmas markets on 17th December for those last minute gifts.     

This update tells you where and how to watch the cup action, along with all the information that race goers will need.  Volunteers are still needed so if you are keen to lend a hand click the link below to find out how you can help.

This update takes a close look at the opening ceremonies taking place on December 15th along with details about the Cup Village.  There is also information about the racing and the traffic management that will be in place for race days.  Basic details of events on New Years Eve are included in this update - with more info to follow.   

Take a closer look and plan your journey for the 17th - 20th December.  There are changes to bus stops, bus routes and ferry services.  Don't get caught out - plan ahead.  

For bus info click here

For ferry info click here

Check out the FREE Public Transport on Friday 19th Dec from 4pm and all day Saturday 20th Dec.  Click here to see full details 

The following information has been provided by Auckland Transport to help you plan for the transport changes that will come into effect on the America's Cup racing days from December 2020 to March 2021.  The first set of road closures will occur on the 17 - 20 December.  A detailed map is shown in the comms below.  There are also details about  access permits, bike parking facilities and additional bus services.  Public transport updates and traffic management details will be updated on the AT mobile app or can be found at www.at.govt.nz/americascup 

Heart of the City (HOTC) have produced some information for businesses.  The first event for the 36th America's Cup starts in just three weeks time, running from 17 - 20 December. 

Below are key dates and access details including road closures and parking restrictions for the December race days. Please share this with anyone who may find it useful.

Plan ahead and enjoy the racing.

In less than three weeks teams from New Zealand, Italy, United States, and Great Britain will line up for the first time on their second generation of flying AC75’s for the PRADA America’s Cup World Series Auckland and the PRADA Christmas Race (December 17-20).  With four races a day (3pm - 6pm) there will be plenty of action.  Check out the Race village - which is free to enter.  For all the details click below.

AT have just released their first comms detailing what will be happening in and around the waterfront during AC36.  This includes information on road closures, car parking and bus routes.  Race days will be busy in Wynyard Quarter and you are advised to plan ahead.  Click on the link below to read all the details.  

If you’ve spent time near Auckland’s waterfront recently, you may have been lucky enough to see a rather impressive sight – not one but four AC75 yachts zooming across the harbour!  With a little more than one month until the events begin, Auckland is gearing up for a summer you won’t forget. Find out more about what’s on and how you can get in on the action by clicking the link below.