America’s Cup brings near $2 billion positive economic impact to Barcelona, study finds

Emirates Team New Zealand beat Ineos Britannia in the America's Cup match in Barcelona. Photo / Photosport

An economic impact report has revealed Barcelona benefited from a near $2 billion boost from hosting last year’s America’s Cup.

The study, carried out by the University of Barcelona on behalf of Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation, revealed a positive economic impact of $1.93 billion (€1.034b) to the Catalan capital from hosting the regatta, in which Emirates Team New Zealand successfully defended the Auld Mug.

Leading into the event, local bodies were confident that playing host to the regatta would result in an economic impact of about $2.2b (€1.2b) after a 2023 report commissioned and undertaken by the Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

In June, less than three months before the event started, the Barcelona Capital Nautica Foundation told the Herald that estimate was on track, and ultimately, they weren’t far off.

The event, which ran from August 22 through to October 19, 2024, saw the completion of the Challenger Series and America’s Cup match, the return of the Youth America’s Cup, as well as the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup and America’s Cup E-Series final all play out in Barcelona.

“It is hugely satisfying to see that the America’s Cup has made such a significantly positive economic contribution to the GDP of Barcelona and Catalonia,” America’s Cup Event and Emirates Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton said.

“The €1.034b economic uplift is a reflection of the collaborative and positive approach the numerous host entities within Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain all brought to facilitate the best event possible for the host venue.

“It is also recognition of all the event staff and teams that made Barcelona their home and worked so tirelessly on the event, and of course all of the international media, the volunteers, fans and supporters that showed up in their many thousands from around the world.”

Emirates Team New Zealand flew a flag that read "thank you very much Barcelona" in Catalan after winning the 37th America's Cup. Photo / Photosport

Superyachts were a big contributor to the positive economic impact. In total, 244 made their way to Barcelona during the regatta, and contributed a spend of $65.4 million (€35 m) in the local economy.

The study found there were 1.8 million visits in total across all event sites on and off the water, including more than 460,000 unique attendees to Barcelona that came specifically to be part of the event.

But it also revealed the regatta was well-watched around the world. A total of 954 million took in the action - topping the total global audience of 941 million that made the Auckland regatta the then-most-watched America’s Cup ever - with a reported 37% growth in dedicated audience from the 2021 edition held in Auckland.

“The 37th edition of the America’s Cup will always be remembered as one of the best yet and one that continued to build the commercial strength and audience of the widely recognised pinnacle event in sailing,” Dalton said.

The Port of Barcelona announced a $6.7m (€3.5m) loss in their operations from the city hosting the event, but said the impact was still “very positive” for them as it saw several projects and investments be accelerated.

Despite the success of the event, Barcelona is not expected to host the next edition. However, Valencia is believed to be among the contenders to do so – with the city in the south of Spain having hosted the Auld Mug in 2007 and 2010, the latter being a Deed of Gift match that was BMW Oracle Racing dethrone Alinghi 2-0 in a best-of three showdown.

As agreed by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and their Challenger of Record, the UK’s Royal Yacht Squadron, the next edition of the America’s Cup is to be held within three years of the completion of the Barcelona regatta subject to any adjustments needed for the hemisphere in which it is to be sailed.

The two also agreed that a venue for the 38th America’s Cup would be announced within eight months of the 37th edition being completed, that date being June 19 this year.

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.