KEY POINTS:
Aucklanders are looking forward more keenly to the next America's Cup than the rest of the country - but that could change as racing day gets closer.
In a Herald poll, 60 per cent of Aucklanders said they were looking forward to the yacht racing, compared with 44.2 per cent of people living outside of the city.
Of those interested in the event, to be sailed in Spain, 55 per cent were men.
Nearly half of those polled were confident New Zealand would win back the cup, 33.8 per cent were less certain and 18.7 per cent did not know or refused to answer.
The Louis Vuitton Cup, to determine who will challenge cup holders Alinghi of Switzerland, will be held between April and June next year.
The 32nd America's Cup will then run from June 23 to July 7 off the coast of Valencia, Spain.
Team New Zealand were the last holders of the cup and when the racing was held in Auckland in 2002/2003, interest built to fever pitch. Shops decorated their windows and showed race coverage on instore televisions.
Fans got temporary tattoos of support on their arms and faces and the adopted anthem, Dave Dobbyn's Loyal, was played continuously.
It is expected interest in next year's event will start to pick up as racing draws nearer - although how Team New Zealand performs in the Louis Vuitton Cup will determine just how much excitement will follow.
Sporting Tours manager Steve Kirwan said his company, which is offering packages to Valencia, had noticed that interest was already starting to pick up.
"I've had more interest in the last month than there has been for the last five months."
Mr Kirwan said he already had about six people booked to go to Valencia and expected that to increase as race time approached.
"I think the popularity of it will increase all of a sudden. It's the sort of event where people who are into it normally have a lot of money and can make last-minute decisions.
"They will just make the decision and go, which is what I think will happen."
Team New Zealand spokesman Warren Douglas said he thought it was best if he did not comment on the poll findings.
