Dubai’s Emirates Renews Partnership With Team New Zealand for America’s Cup
Emirates has renewed its 19-year-old partnership with reigning America’s Cup champions Team New Zealand as its lead sponsor for the 37th America’s Cup and all preliminary regattas.
Emirates Team Zealand is one of the most successful teams in the world. With Emirates logo on its sails, it has won the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017, and then defended the title in front of a home Auckland crowd in the 36th edition in 2021.
The 37th edition of the America’s Cup will be held in Barcelona, Spain in 2024.
It will start with participating teams racing their AC75 America’s Cup class yachts. The first AC Challenger Selection series regatta will take place in August/September 2024, and the main America’s Cup Match will begin on October 12, 2024.
The Challenger Selection Series is a series of matches which will determine the winning team whose yacht will take on the defender of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand.
The Dubai-based airline, which started its association with the team in 2004, will have the naming rights for the team as well as the designation of Official Airline and Carrier of Emirates Team New Zealand.
Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand for Emirates said: “Since 2004, we have been on a memorable voyage with Emirates Team New Zealand, and we are delighted to announce our continued support as they defend their title.
“Emirates Team New Zealand shares DNA with the airline in its ambitious pursuit of innovation and self-improvement and it’s a relationship that’s endured challenges and delivered results, so extending it was an easy decision for us. We also hope that as we move closer to the Americas Cup, the incredible talent, ground-breaking sailing technology, and historic rivalries among the different teams will broaden the sport’s appeal to more audiences worldwide.”
The renewal of sponsorship signals a continued commitment to New Zealand sailing and reflects the deep-rooted connection Emirates has built with the country, having recently celebrated its 20th anniversary of operations there. Emirates operates daily A380 services direct out of Auckland as well as Christchurch via Sydney, offering passengers the only opportunity to travel across the Trans-Tasman on the double decker aircraft.
The sponsorship will include major brand presence on the mainsail of each Emirates Team New Zealand yacht, defence chase boats, defence tenders, team bases in Auckland and Barcelona, and crew uniforms. The branding will also now include placement on the hull of the Emirates Team New Zealand yachts, an updated design from the 2021 Defence.
Grant Dalton, Emirates Team New Zealand Chief Executive, added: “We are delighted to have Emirates continue to support Emirates Team New Zealand as naming sponsor.
“Emirates has always been a staunch sponsor of Team New Zealand through our highs and lows since 2004. We greatly value Emirates’ commitment to stand by the team the team in solidarity going into our 2024 defence in Barcelona. We’re ready to take on the massive task ahead of us next year, with a laser focus to compete at our best.”
The airline will also have sponsorship visibility across Emirates Team New Zealand channels including social, digital, media, live events and other official materials.
