For the first time in its 174-year history, the America’s Cup will require each racing team to have a woman on board.
The rule will take effect when the 38th edition of the world’s oldest international sporting trophy is held in Naples, Italy, in July 2027.
The change is part of a major update to the event’s rules, known as the protocol, announced this week by Emirates Team New Zealand and the Challenger of Record, Athena Racing from the UK. Crew sizes on the powerful AC75 boats will drop from eight to just five sailors, and one of them must be female. A sixth person—a guest such as a sponsor, journalist, or VIP—will also join the crew during races.
Race organisers say this move is designed to boost opportunities for women in top-level sailing. Teams will also be required to field women’s crews in the preliminary AC40 regattas, alongside youth sailors under the age of 25. The Women’s America’s Cup, first introduced in 2024, will also continue.
Other changes include replacing manual power from “grinders” or “cyclors” with batteries, introducing a cost cap of $147 million per campaign, and allowing up to two non-nationals in each crew. The new America’s Cup Partnership will give all teams equal say in running the event and handling media and commercial rights.
ETNZ CEO Grant Dalton called the updates “the boldest change in 174 years,” saying they would help the Cup grow while keeping its traditions.
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