The Protocol governing this America's Cup cycle was built around cost containment, with limiting sailing days a central part of that effort. The result is strict rules on how many days each team can sail their AC75 and conduct two-boat training in the AC40 yachts.
For the AC75, teams are permitted 45 sailing days from 15 January 2026 through to 14 January 2027. From 15 January 2027, the allowance resets and each team receives another 45 days, plus any additional unused days carried over under the Protocol.
Additional AC75 days were allocated based on final standings from the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, with lower-ranked teams receiving more time on the water. New entries from Australia and the USA each received 20 additional days. The full breakdown: Team Australia +20 days, American Racing Challenger Team USA +20 days, La Roche-Posay Racing Team +10 days, TUDOR Team Alinghi +8 days, Luna Rossa +4 days, GB1/Athena Racing +2 days, Emirates Team New Zealand +0 days. These additional days apply across the entire cycle and can be taken at any time.
For AC40 two-boat training, the first permitted period ran from 1 July 2025 through to 30 June 2026, with all teams allowed a maximum of 35 days. That allowance reset on 1 July 2026 and runs through to 30 June 2027.
In the initial AC40 period, Luna Rossa led with 28 days, followed by GB1 on 19 days, Emirates Team New Zealand on 10 days, TUDOR Team Alinghi on 6 days, and American Racing Challenger Team USA on 4 days. Team Australia did not sail during that first period.
On the AC75 side, with only three newly adapted boats actually sailing, Emirates Team New Zealand leads with 17 days, Luna Rossa has 7 days, and La Roche-Posay Racing Team has recorded 3 days. That period continues through to 14 January 2027.
The AC40 reset came just a week ago and teams are already accumulating days. GB1 tops the early standings on 5 days, Luna Rossa has 4 days, and Emirates Team New Zealand, now back in Naples, had logged 1 day as at Tuesday 7 July 2026. American Racing Challenger Team USA has also recorded 1 day in the new period.
Emirates Team New Zealand made the most of the afternoon sea breeze yesterday, docking in as dusk settled over the venue. Long days are standard in the America's Cup, with the second Preliminary Regatta approaching fast and the first fleet-race start set for Friday 25 September.
All teams are expected on the water in the coming days, getting to grips with the Bay of Naples. Wind bends, drainage off the city, tidal eddies, and wash from the frequent ferry and pleasure craft traffic all make this a demanding venue to read.
Making every limited day count is the defining challenge of this America's Cup cycle.
