The third and final America’s Cup World Series regatta along with the Christmas Race take place in Auckland, New Zealand from the 17th to 20th December and represent the start of New Zealand’s summer of sailing which culminates in the America’s Cup match from March 6th to 21st.

Crucially these races represent the Challengers final opportunity to race against the Defender before the Challengers go head to head in the Prada Cup to select the best of the best to compete against Emirates Team New Zealand for The 36th America’s Cup Presented by Prada.

ACWS Auckland and the Christmas Race are unique in that unlike other ACWS regattas the racing area is the same as that in the Prada Cup and America’s Cup Match giving teams their first real glimpse of the race conditions they will be facing in 2021. The Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf, widely regarded as ‘the jewel in Auckland’s crown’, will offer a plethora of race course options, with a full range of wind directions and conditions.

The Auckland Race Village for the events will be situated in the heart of Auckland’s city and, precisely, at the start of Hobson’s Wharf, continuing on through the Eastern Viaduct and the Western Viaduct, up to the Jellicoe Car Park.

Emirates Team New Zealand’s HQ will be at centre stage being located at the former Viaduct Event Centre. An extension on Hobson Wharf has been built throughout 2019 to house the Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team’s base, whereas the other Challengers will be based on the Wynyard Wharf.