OMEGA Returns as Official Timekeeper for the 38th America’s Cup

OMEGA is set to return to the world’s most prestigious sailing competition as Official Timekeeper of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, which will take place in Naples in 2027. The announcement marks another milestone in the Swiss watchmaker’s long relationship with elite sailing and reinforces its role as one of the most trusted names in sports timekeeping. For the first time in the event’s long history, the America’s Cup will be contested in Italy, with races unfolding against the dramatic backdrop of Naples and the Bay of Naples beneath the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius.

The America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport and remains one of the most technologically advanced competitions on the planet. First contested in 1851, the event brings together cutting-edge yacht design, elite athletic performance, and sophisticated engineering. The 38th edition will begin on July 10, 2027, featuring a “best of 13” match race between two teams. The first team to win seven races will claim the trophy, often referred to by sailors as the “Auld Mug.”

Emirates Team New Zealand enters the competition as the Defender after winning the 2024 edition, and the team will attempt to secure its fourth consecutive victory. Their challenger will be determined through the Louis Vuitton Cup, the challenger selection series that takes place earlier in the season. The structure of the competition ensures that only the strongest team from the challengers earns the opportunity to compete in the final match against the defending champions.

OMEGA’s connection with the America’s Cup extends back more than three decades. The brand first partnered with Emirates Team New Zealand in 1995 during the leadership of legendary sailor Sir Peter Blake. Since then, the collaboration has become one of the most recognizable partnerships in sailing. Every time the New Zealand team has won the America’s Cup, OMEGA has served as Official Timekeeper for the following edition. This has included the competitions held in 2000, 2003, 2021, 2024, and now the upcoming 2027 event.

The relationship between the watchmaker and the New Zealand team has become a familiar presence in the sport. The red OMEGA branding on the bows of Emirates Team New Zealand race boats has appeared in many of the team’s most memorable victories, often marking the first point of the yacht to cross the finish line in decisive races. The partnership has grown into a symbol of consistency and performance at the highest level of professional sailing.

For OMEGA, the America’s Cup represents far more than a sporting sponsorship. The competition reflects values that closely align with the brand’s identity, including innovation, precision, and the relentless pursuit of performance. Accurate timekeeping is essential in modern sailing, where races can be decided by fractions of a second and where high-speed hydrofoiling yachts push the limits of marine engineering. OMEGA’s systems ensure that every moment of the race is measured with absolute reliability, supporting both the fairness of competition and the detailed analysis of race performance.

The brand’s involvement also extends beyond the headline match race. As Official Timekeeper, OMEGA will support the broader America’s Cup program, which includes the Women’s America’s Cup and the Youth America’s Cup. These competitions highlight the next generation of sailing talent and provide emerging crews with the opportunity to compete on an international stage.

Hosting the 38th America’s Cup in Naples introduces a new chapter for the event, combining the historic prestige of the competition with one of the Mediterranean’s most vibrant coastal cities. The dramatic setting, paired with the cutting-edge technology of modern racing yachts, promises to deliver a spectacular edition of the world’s most celebrated sailing contest.

With more than 30 years of involvement in the America’s Cup and a global reputation built on precision timing, OMEGA’s return as Official Timekeeper ensures that every second of the 2027 competition will be measured with the same accuracy and excellence that has defined the brand throughout its history.