Dubai, UAE – 21 January 2026: Emirates has renewed its more than two-decade-long partnership as naming sponsor of the Defender of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand, extending one of the longest-standing and most iconic sponsorships in international sailing through the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup and all preliminary regattas.
First established in 2004, the partnership has spanned more than 20 years of elite competition and innovation, most recently punctuated by Emirates Team New Zealand lifting the Auld Mug in Barcelona in 2024. The victory marked an unprecedented third consecutive America’s Cup defence, a feat not previously achieved by a team in the history of the competition.
Under the renewed agreement, Emirates will continue as Lead Sponsor of Emirates Team New Zealand, retaining naming rights to the team alongside the designation of Official Airline and Carrier.
The Emirates sponsorship of Emirates Team New Zealand will include major brand presence on the mainsail of each Emirates Team New Zealand yacht, defence chase boats, defence tenders, team bases, and crew uniforms. The Emirates brand will also feature on the hull of the team’s AC75 yachts.
In addition, Emirates will receive sponsorship visibility across Emirates Team New Zealand’s digital, social, media and live event channels, alongside official team materials and international broadcasts.
As Defender of the upcoming Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, to be held in Naples in 2027, Emirates Team New Zealand’s recent success provides a strong platform for Emirates’ continued involvement, reinforcing a shared legacy of leadership, technical excellence and sustained performance at the pinnacle of world sailing.
This fifth renewal of the naming sponsorship reflects a highly rewarding partnership for both parties, founded on a mutual pursuit of excellence and innovation. Over the years, this has included breakthroughs in high performance yacht design and foiling technology, alongside Emirates’ ongoing leadership in aviation, global connectivity and customer experience.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said: “When Grant and I first met in Auckland in 2004 to sign our naming sponsorship of Emirates Team New Zealand, few could have imagined that more than 20 years later we would still be standing together as partners.”
“By lifting the Auld Mug for a third consecutive time, Emirates Team New Zealand has charted a course that no team in America’s Cup history has achieved before. That level of sustained success only comes from an uncompromising pursuit of excellence across every part of the programme. It is a philosophy we share at Emirates, and as the team prepares for the upcoming regattas and the 38th America’s Cup in Naples, we are proud to see the Emirates name continue to sail with them.”
Emirates Team New Zealand Chief Executive Grant Dalton said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Emirates as naming sponsor. Emirates has stood by this team through both victories and challenges since 2004, and that commitment has meant a great deal to everyone involved.”
“Having Emirates alongside us again gives the team enormous confidence as we take on the responsibility of defending the America’s Cup. The scale of the challenge ahead is immense, and our focus is firmly on preparing to perform at our best.”
The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup will see all competing teams racing AC75 America’s Cup class yachts. The Louis Vuitton Cup, Challenger Selection Series, will determine which challenger earns the right to race the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the America’s Cup Match. Further details on the event schedule and venues will be announced in due course.
The renewal also reinforces Emirates’ long-term commitment to New Zealand. Emirates first commenced services into New Zealand in 2003 and today operates daily A380 services direct to Auckland, as well as Christchurch via Sydney. Emirates also offers A380 services across the Tasman, providing customers with the opportunity to fly on the iconic four-class double decker aircraft between New Zealand and Australia.
Beyond Emirates Team New Zealand, Emirates has played a significant role in supporting the growth of sailing globally through high profile partnerships including the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team and major international regattas such as the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Dubai, helping to bring the sport to an expanding worldwide audience.
A multi-faceted sponsorship portfolio
Emirates’ extensive portfolio of global sports and cultural partnerships connects millions of people through shared passions and world-class experiences. The airline has been a big supporter of sailing since 2004, when it became the naming sponsor of Emirates Team New Zealand. Emirates also sponsors SailGP and Emirates Great Britain Sail GP team.
Beyond sailing, Emirates’ commitment to connecting fans across the globe through shared sporting moments spans horse racing through the Dubai World Cup and Team Godolphin; golf via the DP World Tour; cricket across all major ICC events and the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and Lancashire County Cricket Club; tennis through ATP and WTA tours, including the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as well as all four Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland Garros, US Open, Wimbledon); basketball through the NBA, Real Madrid and Beirut Basketball club; cycling with UAE Team Emirates XRG; and Australian rules football with Collingwood FC. Emirates’ iconic “fly better” branding appears on the jerseys of leading football clubs including Arsenal FC, Real Madrid CF, AC Milan, S.L. Benfica, and Olympique Lyonnais. Emirates also serves as Platinum Partner to FC Bayern Munich’s first team. Emirates has been the title sponsor of The FA Cup for nearly a decade. In the UAE, the airline supports the Pro League and appears on Al Ain FC’s training kit during the 2025/2026 season.
Learn more about Emirates expansive sponsorship portfolio here