MSC Cruises has confirmed its participation as a global cruise partner in the 38th America's Cup, a sailing competition scheduled to take place in Naples, Italy, in 2027. The announcement positions the company in a top-tier sporting arena and reinforces its international presence , as well as its historical connection to the Mediterranean and the maritime world.
The agreement includes worldwide partnership rights and a presence throughout the entire competition program. This encompasses the preliminary rounds, the junior and women's races, the qualifying stage, and the final races , allowing the brand to be involved in the tournament from its initial stages to the very end.
A sponsorship with global reach
For MSC Cruises, the America's Cup aligns with a number of core principles the company holds. The cruise line associates the event with innovation, precision, cooperation, and a commitment to the marine environment—values ​​it also incorporates into its fleet management and the design of passenger experiences.
MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago emphasized that this partnership comes at a special time, as the competition returns to the Mediterranean with Naples as its host city. He believes it presents an opportunity to connect with travelers, partners, and fans from around the world.
Grant Dalton, president of the America's Cup Partnership, emphasized that the partnership with MSC Cruises is not new and has been built over the years on shared interests. The organization values ​​having the company in Naples and hopes the collaboration will continue throughout the 38th edition of the tournament.
A sporting strategy that goes beyond sailing
This agreement complements MSC Cruises' recent strategy of sponsoring sports. The company is a global partner of Formula 1, a premium partner of the BWT Alpine team, and the main partner of the Tudor Pro Cycling Team—a portfolio that allows it to gain visibility in very different markets.
The relationship with the America's Cup also has a history within the group. In 2024, Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of MSC's cruise division, was a global partner of the 37th America's Cup held in Barcelona and a partner of Emirates Team New Zealand. That experience in Spain now serves as a starting point for repeating a prominent presence in the nautical sector.
Naples and the return to the Mediterranean
The choice of Naples as the venue reinforces the Mediterranean's importance on the international sailing calendar. For MSC Cruises, which has strengthened its offerings in the Mediterranean , competing for visibility in an Italian city represents an opportunity to connect with its existing clientele while also reaching new audiences.
The 38th America's Cup program will unfold across several phases and will include women's and junior competitions, alongside the main races. The brand will have a presence throughout the event, allowing it to associate its name with a widely followed event in Europe and beyond.
With this move, MSC Cruises reinforces its commitment to sports as a communication tool and strengthens its ties with the America's Cup following its previous experience in Barcelona. The company will have a global presence at the 38th edition, to be held in Naples, adding this collaboration to a sponsorship strategy that already includes Formula 1, the BWT Alpine team, and the Tudor Pro Cycling Team. This development comes as the competition returns to the Mediterranean , a particularly important venue for the cruise line.
