Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts X4.0

America's Cup - Auckland venue options released for 2021 Cup

by Auckland Council media on 13 Nov 2017
Team New Zealand leads a fleet of support boats out to the Hauraki Gulf from downtown Auckland. 2003 America’s Cup Kaoru Soehata
Auckland Council’s Governing Body will next week be asked to approve a team base location for hosting the 36th America’s Cup in 2021.

On 13 November, councillors were presented with five infrastructure options for hosting the event, which will add between $550 million and $1 billion* in direct benefits to the New Zealand economy.

Auckland Council Chief Executive Stephen Town says a decision on a location is required at the Governing Body meeting on 23 November to allow for resource consent to be lodged in January.

“The main America’s Cup races are likely to be held from January to March 2021, so to meet the event’s timeframes and the anticipated arrival of syndicates, construction needs to be substantially complete by mid to late 2019,” he says.

Council, government, Emirates Team New Zealand work on requirements

Since Emirates Team New Zealand’s (ETNZ) victory in the America’s Cup in late June, the council has been working closely with the government and ETNZ on the infrastructure requirements to deliver the 2021 event.

Panuku Development Auckland, the city’s regeneration agency, has led this work and its Design and Place Director Rod Marler says technical experts have undertaken a robust evaluation of a longlist of possible locations across the Auckland region.

“The locations have been evaluated based on three key criteria: ability to deliver in the timeframe (consented and constructed by late 2019), ability to meet the requirements of the teams and event (such as security and an event village), and the extent to which any investment delivers a legacy for Auckland and New Zealand,” says Marler.

The five short-listed options are:

- Halsey Wharf extension
- Captain Cook West
- Captain Cook East
- a dispersed option across Halsey Wharf and Westhaven Marina
- a dispersed option across Halsey Wharf, Hobson Wharf and Wynyard Point East.


Costs range from $140m-$190m

Stephen Town says the indicative costs for the five options range from $140 million to $190 million.

“This funding will be included in the council’s Long-term Plan, on the basis that a funding package will need to be negotiated, sharing costs between the council, the government and private sector investors,” he says.

“We understand that the government will consider its involvement next month, with decisions in early 2018.”

Town added that the Governing Body will also consider the consent process that will be required to meet the event deadline.

“While this is an exciting opportunity for Auckland both around the actual event in 2021 and for the legacy that any event infrastructure can deliver for the city, we also understand the need for a great environmental outcome,” he says.

Previous events brought more than $1b in benefits


Steve Armitage, General Manager Destination at Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), says hosting two previous America’s Cup regattas delivered more than $1 billion in total benefits for New Zealand – mainly in tourism and the marine industry.

“The regattas of 2000 and 2003 were momentous for our region in numerous ways, and the benefits went well beyond our lion’s share of the national economic injection,” he says.

“The events showcased Auckland to the world, and preparing for the regattas was the catalyst for waterfront transformation – a legacy Aucklanders still benefit from today.”

“It’s estimated that extra economic activity generated by the 2003 regatta alone sustained more than 8100 full-time equivalent jobs, which was nearly 2 per cent of Auckland’s employment at that time,” says Armitage.

ETNZ has stated a strong preference to hold the event in Auckland, but reserves the right to hold the event in Italy if suitable infrastructure is not available. The deadline for a final announcement on the location is 31 August 2018.



V-DRY-XHenri-Lloyd Dynamic RangePantaenius Sail 2025 AUS Footer

Related Articles

Transpac 2025 final starters depart LA
The largest boats with the longest waterlines already burning up the miles to Hawaii The 20 biggest, fastest boats racing in the 2025 Transpac began their offshore sprint from Los Angeles, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday.
Posted today at 1:05 am
Final countdown to the AEGEAN 600
60 teams assembled at Olympic Marine for Sunday's start of the AEGEAN 600 On Saturday, the 60 teams assembled at Olympic Marine for Sunday's start of the AEGEAN 600 are using their final pre-race day to make last checks on their rigging, sails, and electronic systems, provision for the days they expect to be at sea.
Posted on 5 Jul
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 3
The fleet is now ready for the finals at Fraglia Vela Riva The 29er European Championship 2025 in Riva del Garda is already making history. With 251 teams from 29 nations, this year's edition has gathered one of the largest and most competitive fleets in class history.
Posted on 5 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 4
All on the line Sunday as American Magic Quantum Racing seek to close out eighth world title After three spectacular races today on Cascais, Portugal's showcase high winds arena, Doug DeVos' seven times world title winners American Magic Quantum Racing lead into the final day of the 2025 Rolex TP52 Worlds with a hard earned five points buffer.
Posted on 5 Jul
North launches new Wingfoil Race Collection
Pinch even higher and reach even deeper at pace Pinch even higher and reach even deeper at pace. Engineered with a VMG-optimised partial double skin for improved aerodynamic efficiency, lower drag and precise manoeuvres at higher speeds.
Posted on 5 Jul
AEGEAN 600 Attica Warm-Up Race
5th edition sets sail with strong winds and signature Greek hospitality Under perfect sunny skies and brisk northerly winds, the 5th edition of the annual AEGEAN 600 kicked off with a flawless start both on and off the water.
Posted on 4 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D5
Stage set for Finals showdown in Marstrand With just one day to go at the 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy, the stage is set for a thrilling finale in both the Open and Women's classes.
Posted on 4 Jul
Sam Goodchild in the Course des Caps
The final phase is full of potential pitfalls Sam Goodchild, the British skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance who has been dominating the IMOCA round Britain and Ireland race since the start of the third day, says the goal now is to focus on the complex finishing section.
Posted on 4 Jul
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 2
Light breeze, boat park buzz and big wins off the water >Day 2 brought lighter winds to Lake Garda, but the energy around the event stayed sky-high.
Posted on 4 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 3
French tour de force gives Paprec world championship lead As the Rolex TP52 World Championship passed its midway point today in Cascais, Portugal it is the French underdogs on Paprec, led by ocean racing legend Loïck Peyron, which has taken the overall lead.
Posted on 4 Jul