Napoli, dalle pre regate una forte spinta al rilancio della città

Napoli, in the autumn of 2026, is set to embark on a new journey with the preliminary America's Cup races. These races have demonstrated that the sea, wind, and sport can become engines for economic and social development, revitalizing the city that had been languishing. The races have sparked an investment boom, resulting in functional equipment for the teams and the event itself, such as the waterfront structures, Race village, and Nisida village.

The most significant intervention (€1.7 billion) is underway in Bagnoli, but progress is stalled due to ongoing protests. Sport and Health, the driving force behind the initiative, has invested €1.2 million. Diego Nepi Molineris, head of Sport and Health, remarked, "The America's Cup preliminary race in Napoli was a formidable organizational challenge, completed on schedule and with an extraordinary public response.

We envisioned a different Napoli, and we made it possible: closer to the sea, more open, and more vibrant. What seems extraordinary today must become part of daily life: places that bring the city closer to the water and transform sport into an experience, participation." The four platforms on the sea, appreciated by all, and the pontoon, the island that has become a star in just a few days, are part of the city's new heritage, capable of captivating the public and going viral on social media through selfies and photographs.

The legacy they want to build is ensuring that what emerges from a great event continues to thrive beyond it. "The pre-race and the America's Cup next year, along with urban regeneration in Bagnoli and the cleaning of the eastern coastline, place the sea at the center of attention," said Mayor Gaetano Manfredi. "The America's Cup has also entered the territories.

The Centro Sportivo 'Pino Daniele' in Caivano allowed the IC3 Parco Verde team to admire the trophy up close and meet champions like Dalton and Sirena. Through 'BeActive,' all federations and Olympic champions participated, racing at sea alongside young people from the outskirts, thanks to the synergy between Sport and Health and Federvela."

Two new "Sport Illumina" spaces have opened in Casalnuovo di Napoli and Casoria. Marano di Napoli has welcomed sports and equipment. "This is the America's Cup we want: not an event that passes but an energy that remains. And for next year, we want to do even more," concluded Nepi Molineris. The first lot of the renovated Villa Comunale, now open to the public, with equipment for the races and guests, and the city already appears transformed, welcoming, and restored to its former glory.

However, many challenges remain: primarily mobility, still difficult despite the best metro in Europe, the depressed Metropolitan City with numerous comuni plunged into corruption, too many young people emigrating, and the peripheries. President of the Industrial Union of Naples, Vittorio Genna, was cautious: "We have proof that the America's Cup is an opportunity for Napoli.

Now we must ensure that there are structural repercussions on the territory. Otherwise, it would have been just a spectacular event." The sail brought a wind of positivity and euphoria for a few days. "I am happy," said Ugo Cilento of the century-old Maison Cilento, "the city has been reborn, and the sail adapts well, reviving ancient passions and traditions.

Napoli is the first Italian city to host the America's Cup. Our sales have also increased in recent days." The success was also felt in the mozzarella di bufala campana. "In the last week, orders have increased by 5-7% in Napoli, according to the Consorzio di tutela. In the hotels, especially those on the waterfront, increases of 15% have been reported."

The City has earmarked €1 million, and the Metropolitan City has allocated €10 million for the "Napoli towards the America's Cup" program. The Region of Campania, through a decree of the General Assembly on May 28th, has scheduled to allocate up to €6 million. As for sponsors, big names have mobilized: alongside Louis Vuitton, Msc, Omega, UniCredit, and Capgemini.

And local companies such as Pasta Garofalo, Ferrarelle, Caffè Kimbo, and Molini Caputo. Ferrarelle enters the America's Cup world for the first time with a dual partnership: it will be the Official Water of Louis Vuitton's 38th America's Cup and the Official Sponsor of Emirates Team New Zealand, the defender of the competition that will take place in Napoli in 2027.

In addition to over two million in sponsorship from Pasta Garofalo to Luna Rossa, a collaboration that began long ago and was renewed for the preliminary race. Meanwhile, about thirty enterprises registered in the Portale dei fornitori, established by Confindustria nautica and the Union industriale di Napoli, have already begun signing contracts with the teams and other event organizers. However, a much more intensive activity is expected when the teams, now in Nisida, move to Bagnoli.