35th America’s Cup reaches big commercial and broadcast partnerships

by America's Cup on 28 Aug 2015 Since Bermuda was revealed as the host venue of the 35th America’s Cup on December 2, 2014, a flurry of significant commercial partnerships and broadcast agreements have been reached, including with Louis Vuitton, who return to extend one of the longest title partnerships in international sport.

NBC in the United States, BT Sport and the BBC in the UK and Ireland, CCTV in China, Canal+ in France and ESPN in Central and South America are among the major broadcasters who have acquired the rights to show the full two year program of racing in the 35th America’s Cup.

Racing started with the opening event, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Portsmouth last month. Despite the program being shortened due to extreme weather, over 100,000 fans watched the racing in person, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were the guests of honor at the prize giving ceremony.

“The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Portsmouth was a fantastic opening event for our teams, our fans and our partners,” said Harvey Schiller, the Commercial Commissioner of the America’s Cup.

“Our commercial partners like Louis Vuitton, Oracle, Bremont, BMW, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Gosling's Rum and many others, joined with the visiting royals and tens of thousands of others to view the fantastic power of the America's Cup in bringing people together in a unique setting.”

The America’s Cup continues with the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Gothenburg, with racing on August 29-30.

Timeline:

02 December 2014 - Bermuda confirmed as host of 2017 America’s Cup

04 December 2014 - Appleby named Official Law Firm of the 2017 America’s Cup

09 February 2015 - NBC retains America’s Cup broadcast rights

11 March 2015 - Sail Racing inks America's Cup and ORACLE TEAM USA deal

19 March 2015 - Bermuda’s BF&M becomes Official Healthcare Provider of the America’s Cup and ORACLE TEAM USA

27 April 2015 - America's Cup reveals Canal Plus TV deal

29 April 2015 - Butterfield named Official Bermuda Bank of America's Cup

30 April 2015 - SoftBank confirms Japanese Cup challenge

05 May 2015 - BT Sport and BBC land Americas Cup in UK

11 May 2015 - Bremont steps on board with America’s Cup as Official Timing Partner

12 May 2015 - Emirates continues Team NZ sponsorship

18 May 2015 - Ulysse Nardin is proud to fly the colours of Artemis Racing

21 May 2015 - PwC named official audit and assurance provider for America’s Cup

28 May 2015 - Louis Vuitton strengthens ties with the America's Cup

23 June 2015 - Land Rover confirmed as title and innovation partner of Land Rover BAR

25 June 2015 - Groupama backs Team France in America’s Cup bid

29 June 2015 - Toyota extends Emirates Team New Zealand sponsorship

08 July 2015 - Excitement for America’s Cup youth program reaches 'Feva pitch' with RS Sailing

09 July 2015 - BMW becomes Global Partner of the 35th America’s Cup

15 July 2015 - Gosling’s Rum becomes Official Rum and Ginger Beer of the America’s Cup

16 July 2015 - O’Pen BICs Selected for America’s Cup Community Sailing Project

20 July 2015 - America’s Cup strikes CCTV deal

20 July 2015 - Moët and Chandon named Official Champagne of the 35th America's Cup

21 July 2015 - Sport TV in America’s Cup rights deal

23 July 2015 - nc+ platform acquires broadcast rights in Poland for the America’s Cup

24 July 2015 - FOX SPORTS acquires exclusive rights for the America’s Cup in Australia

29 July 2015 - Iconic Hamilton Princess and Beach Club named Official Hotel

06 August 2015 - Bermuda Tourism Authority partners with America’s Cup

20 August 2015 - ESPN acquires rights to 35th America's Cup

26 August 2015 - NetSuite supports ORACLE TEAM USA