The America’s Cup has the power to bring together people from many countries, puts a city on the world map attracting visitors - long after the event, and has been the impetuous for renewal and revitalisation of a waterfront leaving a long-term legacy for a host city. The extent of the benefits depends on the willingness of the host to fully embrace the Cup and on the competitors doing everything possible to help establish an exciting and vibrant event for visitors and locals.

One thing is certain, all past venues having experienced the benefits of hosting the Cup dream to see the return of America’s Cup competition to their shores, but thus far, only one venue has ever realised that dream – Auckland.  There are two Challengers who are now working hard to follow suit and return the 37th America's Cup to an earlier Cup venue; the Royal Yacht Squadron (Team INEOS) to Cowes, England and the New York Yacht Club (American Magic) to Newport, Rhode Island.

Let’s look at the past venues:

Valencia (2003-2010)

With the Swiss win, representing by Société Nautique de Genève, it was possible to hold the Cup match on Lake Geneva with the consent of the Challenger of Record, but logistically, it was too difficult and the winds too light and erratic to seriously entertain Geneva as a Cup venue.  As a result, an Olympic venue style bidding process was conducted with Valencia, Spain being selected from a short-list of five European venues.

Valencia 2007

Both the central Spanish Government and the local Government in Valencia invested a combined USD 3.237 billion to transform a small harbour in Valencia into a Cup village to host the competitors, officials, spectators, entertainment, building a new entrance canal, and create stunning architectural buildings to create the most spectacular Cup venue to date. Such was the financial and marketing success of the regatta that all teams received a substantial dividend towards their campaign costs, apportioned based on their performance during the regatta.

Valencia saw two matches; the thoroughly successful and delightful 2007 Cup match; later the 2010 Deed Match held in the dark and cold grip of winter. With only two teams competing, the 2010 match could never hope to reach the heights of the 2007 match.

33rd America's Cup Deed of Gift Match 2010

Valencia was the scene of not only Cup matches but also several new innovative World Series preliminary regattas as well as others held in three other European venues.

With the win of the huge American trimaran USA 17 in the 2010 match, the Cup returned to America after an absence of almost 15 years, but Valencia was left with a legacy of a revitalised harbour and new buildings.  Without doubt, the America’s Cup put Valencia on the international tourist map as a must-visit Spanish city and arguably, with 12 competitors hosted, Valencia in 2007 remains one of the best America’s Cup regattas ever held.

The Gripping Final Race of the America's Cup in 2007