Oakley Capital and Ben Ainslie: Athena Racing’s new ownership ahead of Naples 2027

Maritime freight contracts and specialized port slots in Naples are now part of Athena Racing’s operational planning after Oakley Capital committed up to £13m to the team, ensuring the chartering of heavy-lift vessels and timely delivery of AC75 components for the 2027 campaign.

Investment and ownership: the nuts and bolts

Oakley Capital, which acquired North Sails in 2014 and later extended support to Quantum Sails, Doyle Sails, Southern Spars and Future Fibres, has taken a majority stake in Athena Racing (GBR). The private equity group led by Peter Dubens filled the funding gap left after Ben Ainslie parted ways with INEOS, restoring long-term financial capacity across multiple America’s Cup cycles.

What the deal does

• Financial stability: Multi-cycle funding for design, testing and logistics.
• Supply-chain integration: Vertical links to sailmakers and composite suppliers already in Oakley’s portfolio.
• Governance: New ownership structure within the Athena Sports Group (ASG) while Ben Ainslie retains a material shareholding.

Team structure and pathway programmes

Under ASG, Athena Racing will sit alongside the majority-owned Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team and the Athena Pathway Programme, which is designed to funnel youth and women sailors into high-performance campaigns. This layered approach improves resource allocation—from shore crew logistics to training vessel schedules.

Operational implications

Securing predictable funding allows Athena Racing to sign multi-year service contracts for carbon-fibre supply, haul-out berths, and overseas transport. That in turn reduces last-minute charter premiums and stabilizes timelines for hull and foil production.

Key calendar and entry rules

The Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup was confirmed on 12 August 2025. The initial entry period closed 31 October 2025, with late entries possible up to 31 January 2026. If no USA team participates it will mark the first time in the event’s 175-year history without a U.S. entry.

Naples 2027: logistics meet tourism

After Barcelona declined to host another edition, the venue shifted to Naples, where racing is scheduled for spring and summer 2027. For local infrastructure that means increased demand for temporary marinas, spectator ferries, freight handling, and hospitality services—each an opportunity for destination tourism to scale up.

• Port capacity: temporary pontoons and expanded berthing for support craft.
• Transport: ferry timetables, shuttle services, and charter yachts to ferry spectators.
• Accommodation: seasonal peaks requiring dynamic pricing and pre-booking.
• Ancillary services: guided museum tours, event catering, and local excursion operators.

How travellers can benefit

Fans and visiting teams will find Naples’ cultural offerings—museums, historic sites, and coastal excursions—especially appealing between race days. Organisers typically schedule race villages and fan zones near city centers to maximise footfall for local businesses.

Practical checklist for visitors

• Book accommodation early and confirm refundable rates.
• Reserve ferry and spectator launch tickets in advance.
• Consider travel insurance that covers event disruptions.
• Use verified providers for guided experiences and yacht charters.

Bringing a major sailing event to Naples transforms not only the city’s logistics but its tourism calendar: ports, hotels and tour operators must coordinate on shipping windows, visitor flows and hospitality staffing well ahead of arrival of the teams and their equipment.

Highlights include Oakley Capital’s integration of sail and spar supply chains to reduce lead times, Athena Racing’s reinforced governance under ASG, and Naples’ preparations to handle concentrated visitor traffic. Yet no amount of planning or reviews replaces personal experience: attending a race, joining a harbor tour, or stepping aboard a support craft gives the truest sense of the Cup’s scale. On GetExperience, you book your experience from verified providers at reasonable prices, with secure online payments and voucher confirmation issued afterward, plus the option to submit tailored requests so providers can offer tours and excursions that match your preferences; GetExperience also lists local tours in Naples and curated sailing-related excursions to make the most of your trip—Book your Trip GetExperience.com

In summary, Oakley Capital’s £13m backing stabilizes Athena Racing’s competitive and logistical roadmap, aligning supply-chain partners such as North Sails and Future Fibres with multi-year commitments. Naples 2027 will require coordinated port operations, expanded spectator transport and enhanced hospitality offerings, creating rich travel experiences and adventure activities for fans. Whether you’re planning museum tours with live guides, booking yacht parties or exclusive yacht charters for events, looking into cruise packages or eco-friendly wildlife safaris elsewhere on your itinerary, exploring interactive online cultural workshops, or even considering professional esports training programs and beginner esports coaching sessions during downtime, the event offers a spectrum of options. From adventure rafting trips for beginners to luxury adventure travel experiences and safari tours, planning ahead ensures a smooth, memorable visit and the best use of limited logistics windows.