Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

America's Cup enters the E-Sports arena with launch of Official Game and Championship

by America's Cup Media 9 Apr 2024 02:53 PDT 9 April 2024
AC Sailing - 37th America's Cup Official Game - April 2024 © ACE

AC Sailing, the ultimate regatta simulator built on actual simulation technology used by America's Cup teams, will be available for free download on Epic Store and Steam from April 9th, 19:00 CET(1700:UTC)

America's Cup E-series will be the first e-sports league by the iconic sailing competition, attracting top virtual sailors from around the world to claim their place among America's Cup legends.

America's Cup, the pinnacle of international yachting, is taking a leap into the virtual world with the launch of its official simulation videogame, AC Sailing, along with its first-ever e-sports world championship, America's Cup E- series.

Live streamed on Twitch from 18:20hrs CET (16:20hrs UTC) on April 9th www.twitch.tv/americascup

AC Sailing is developed from the same physics engine used in the very simulators that America's Cup teams train with to enhance racing tactics and recreate race scenarios, as well as develop and test design ideas and iterations for their race yachts. It is set to revolutionize the future of sailing in e-sports, creating an exciting opportunity for fans worldwide to engage with the oldest trophy in international sports in an entirely new way.

Grant Dalton, CEO of America's Cup Event, said, "Creating a full simulation game from a simulator that our sailors and designers use in the real America's Cup world is really exciting. Gamers will get to experience America's Cup sailing as close to reality as possible like never before".

"The America's Cup has always been at the forefront of pushing boundaries of what's possible in sailing. We're thrilled to bring this innovation legacy into the virtual world, elevating the role of sailing within the e-sports ecosystem as we expand our footprint to become the most inclusive sailing competition of all times".

AC Sailing lets players take command of high-tech foiling AC40 yachts and race against others in breath-taking online races, as well as honing their skills in time trials and practice modes. The game will feature real-world locations such as Barcelona, the host venue of the 37th America's Cup, and authentic liveries from the iconic AC40 America's Cup yachts.

The game is the culmination of over 10 years of research and development by Emirates Team New Zealand, the current Defender of the America's Cup, which helped the team win and retain the cup over the last two editions.

According to Emirates Team New Zealand's Chief Technical Officer Dan Bernasconi, "By combining ultra-realistic gameplay with powerful graphics, we're able to transport players to the centre of the action, allowing them to experience the thrill and complexity of competitive sailing like never before. AC Sailing is built on the powerful 'Gomboc' physics engine developed within Emirates Team New Zealand and used by most America's Cup teams for yacht design and sailor training".

The mechanics of the game have been designed to mimic those on the water, providing a great opportunity for both sailors and sim game players to put their skills to the test. The game features a comprehensive tutorial and several aids to allow everyone the chance to enjoy improving their skills up to the level of an America's Cup sailor and ultimately the opportunity to qualify for the America's Cup E- Series, a new pathway to the oldest yachting competition.

America's Cup E-Series, a new pathway to the oldest yachting competition

The America's Cup E-Series will allow players from around the globe will have the chance to race against each other and claim their place among the America's Cup legends. The E-series will consist of Online Qualifiers and a Grand Final taking place in Barcelona in September, with exact dates yet to be revealed.

Powered by AC Sailing as its official videogame, the first season of the America's Cup E-series will be open to all gamers. The final events will be live streamed on Twitch for a global audience, marking a historical moment for the America's Cup and the sailing community at large.

"We think there is potential for the best AC Sailing players to step out of the gaming room and onto the AC40 in real life - just like the Women & Youth sailors have been doing in training for the Puig Women's America's Cup and the UniCredit Youth America's Cup." said Bernasconi.

America's Cup and Generalitat de Catalunya, a technological partnership

The process of creating the official video game of the America's Cup has been supported by ACCIÓ – the agency for business competitiveness of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia) – which has facilitated the participation of a Catalan studio in the creation of the game. This participation exemplifies the potential of the video game sector in Catalonia, the leading region in the European Union in terms of attracting foreign investment in this area. According to ACCIÓ data, there are more than 200 video game companies in Catalonia, employing almost 4,000 workers and with a combined turnover of more than 500 million euros.

According to Roger Torrent i Ramió, the Minister of Business and Labour from the Generalitat of Catalonia, "Another great opportunity that hosting a global event such as the America's Cup offers us is the ability to showcase Catalonia's emerging potential in sectors such as video games. This industry is growing in Catalonia through foreign investment, but also thanks to local talent, such as those who have participated in this project." Additionally, Torrent says further: "AC Sailing will also be available in Catalan, which is an important milestone in increasing the presence of our language in this industry."

"The Generalitat de Catalunya via ACCIÓ continues to leverage the technological opportunities that the event provides and has been a very willing partner in the development of the AC Sailing game," said America's Cup Event CEO Grant Dalton.

AC Sailing is available for free download on PC through the Epic Store and Steam platforms, allowing for in-game cosmetic purchases. The game will be updated with new content, as additional locations, skins and a single-player AI match race are expected to be added during the upcoming months.

For more information about AC Sailing, visit www.acsailing.com

[S-W: AC Sailing will only run under Windows 11]

Additional Images:

Related Articles

America's Cup: Italy's five boat Challenge
‘Il Moro di Venezia', a five-boat programme left no stone unturned The transition from colourful and applauded challenges of 1983 and 1987, to Challengers for the XXVIII America's Cup in San Diego, was a pivotal moment in the history of Italy in the competition. Posted on 23 Jul
America's Cup: Azzurra Challenge
Azzurra's 1983 debut turned Italian sailing into a national interest. Italy has one of the most passionate and enduring histories in the America's Cup. Azzurra's 1983 debut turned Italian sailing into a national interest. Posted on 15 Jul
America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup. Posted on 10 Jul
America's Cup: French back "Kiwi" Protocol
K-Challenge tell Brits to sign Kiwi Protocol. Cup to be sailed before the end of 2025. Last weekend's missive from the French America's Cup challenge team is further evidence over the building frustration with progress towards the 2027 America's Cup in Naples. Posted on 6 Jul
K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair? Posted on 29 Jun
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Cup Spy: "Burling Rule" unlikely to be changed
The Defender is unlikely to soften the Rules and allow open season on its sailing team. Despite the shift of three times America's Cup winner, Peter Burling it is understood that there is unlikely to be any softening of the Nationality rule to enable Burling to get any closer to the action than a chase-boat in the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 20 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Kiwis advertising for key people
Emirates Team NZ seeking new people for key roles ahead of its 12th America's Cup campaign Emirates Team New Zealand, the current America's Cup champion is gearing up for the 2027 Defence of the most prestigious trophy in sailing. The team has advertised eight positions in the IT, Meteorology and Engineering areas Posted on 12 Jun
Selden 2020 - FOOTERAllen Dynamic 40 FooterNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast