The America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport and has a long history of innovation. The 34th America's Cup is focused on re-inventing itself and making a radical shift in the way that sailing will be viewed and understood by a global audience.
San Francisco residents and visitors will have a front-row seat as they race organizers bring the action directly to the spectators – at the water's edge. For the first time in the 160-year history of the America's Cup, the races are being designed to be seen from land. And San Francisco Bay, between the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, is the stadium where the teams will compete.
The 2011-2012 America's Cup World Series (ACWS) races will conclude in Newport, Rhode Island on July 1, 2012. The 2012-2013 ACWS starts in San Francisco on August 21 and runs through August 26. There will be a second ACWS race series in San Francisco on October 2 through October 7. In 2013, the Louis Vuitton Cup will begin on San Francisco Bay on July 4th and continue until September 1.
The America's Cup Finals, featuring the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup and Oracle Racing/Team USA, will start September 7. The series is a best-of-nine, so whichever team wins five races first is the next keeper of the America's Cup. The races will conclude by September 22
