Naples: the pre-regatta events provide a major boost to the city’s revival

Sea and wind: Naples in the autumn of 2026 starts here. The dress rehearsal for the America’s Cup preliminary races has shown that the sea, the wind and sport can act as drivers of economic and social development and accelerate the city’s revival, which was already in the air.

The races have triggered a significant round of investment, even though they have not yet led to the construction of major infrastructure projects. Instead, they have mainly involved facilities for the teams and the event itself: the waterfront facilities, the Race Village and the Nisida Village, whilst the most significant project (worth 1.7 billion), the one at Bagnoli, is proceeding according to schedule (though the protests show no sign of abating).

The implementing body, Sport e Salute, has invested 1.2 million. Diego Nepi Molineris, CEO of Sport e Salute, comments: “The America’s Cup preliminary regatta in Naples was a major organisational challenge, carried out in line with the schedule and met with an extraordinary response from the public. We envisaged a different Naples and made it a reality: closer to the sea, more open, more vibrant. What seems extraordinary today must become part of everyday life: places that bring the city closer to the water, that transform sport into an experience and a chance to get involved. From the four platforms out at sea, which everyone loved, to the pontoon: ‘L’isola che c’è’, which in just a few days became a real star, a new space in the city, capable of winning over the public and going viral on social media with selfies and photographs. This is the legacy we want to build: ensuring that what is created for a major event continues to live on afterwards.”

And to carry on beyond that. “The pre-regatta and next year’s America’s Cup, together with the urban regeneration in Bagnoli and the reclamation of the eastern coastline, are placing the sea at the centre of attention. ‘For too many decades, Naples has been cut off from its sea,’ says Mayor Gaetano Manfredi. ‘The America’s Cup is also a catalyst for strengthening the port sector and the nautical industry, developing skills and kick-starting technology-related projects. Through collaboration between the public and private sectors.’

“The America’s Cup has also reached the suburbs,” adds Nepi Molineris. “At the ‘Pino Daniele’ Sports Centre in Caivano, the pupils from IC3 Parco Verde were able to see the trophy up close and meet champions such as Dalton and Sirena. Through ‘BeActive’, all the federations were involved, and Olympic champions were able to race at sea alongside young people from the suburbs, thanks to the collaboration between Sport e Salute and Federvela.” Two new “Sport Illumina” centres have been opened in Casalnuovo di Napoli and Casoria. Sports facilities and equipment have arrived in Marano di Napoli. “This is the America’s Cup we want,” concludes Nepi Molineris, “not a fleeting event, but an energy that endures. And next year we want to do even more.” The first section of the Villa Comunale has been renovated and reopened to the public, with facilities serving the races and guests, and the city already appears transformed, welcoming and restored to its former splendour. But many challenges remain: transport, first and foremost, which is still difficult despite having the most beautiful metro in Europe; the metropolitan area, which remains in decline with numerous municipalities dissolved due to the Camorra; the excessive number of young people leaving; and the suburbs. Vittorio Genna, president of the Naples Industrialists’ Union, is cautious: “We have proof that the America’s Cup is an opportunity for Naples. Now we must ensure that there are structural benefits for the local area. We are committed to this goal. Otherwise, it would have been nothing more than a spectacular event.”