Tickets for the America’s Cup World Series, Portsmouth are officially available from today, Monday 2 March.

Up to 500,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day sporting and entertainment spectacular from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 26 July 2015) to watch the world’s best sailors battling it out on high speed AC45 foiling catamarans.

There are both free-to-view and paid ticket options.

Paid tickets will provide access to the official event “Fanzone Arena”, allowing up to 5,000 fans per day to enjoy prime views of the race course and access to exclusive event entertainment.

The free-to- view area will be located on Southsea Common, to be named ‘The Waterfront Festival Arena” where only pre-registered ticket holders will gain access. All tickets are only available through www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ACWSPortsmouth

Hospitality packages also go on sale from today, for the‘Waterfront Pavilion’ site – the only site that will have direct views overlooking the racing – just 100m away. Details are available at www.acwsportsmouth.com/hospitality and by emailing: hospitality@teamorigin.com.

Event itinerary

The America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth event Chairman Sir Keith Mills has been central to the delivery of some of the UK’s greatest sporting events, most recently as Deputy Chairman of London 2012 and Chairman of ‘Invictus Games’.

He said: ‘We believe the ticket and hospitality packages and event schedule cater for all requirements – our aim is to provide ‘something for everyone’ –- and to ensure this is both a sporting and an entertainment event.

‘Thursday is the first day of the event and will feature an all team parade of sail and public opening ceremony.

‘Friday is the practice/race preview day and the first opportunity for fans to watch the sailing teams test themselves on Portsmouth’s waters.

‘Saturday and Sunday are official race days with a full day’s entertainment on both the Southsea Common “Waterfront Festival’ arena and inside the official event Fanzone Arena.”

Prize draw

Any ticket purchases shared on Twitter and Facebook with #goldenticketACWSUK will be entered into a monthly competition to win special ‘golden tickets’ that come with prizes and ticket upgrades.

Sir Keith added: ‘We have received huge amounts of pre-sale demand for tickets and we encourage fans to book their place early, this is the summer’s golden ticket.

‘The America’s Cup World Series, Portsmouth is a fantastic opportunity for the British public to enjoy a unique festival atmosphere and watch these incredible boats racing, you don’t want to miss it.’

Ben Ainslie Racing team

British supporters will be able to get behind home team Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR), who will be competing on home waters for the first time.

The new BAR base is currently under construction in Portsmouth and the team are due to move in two months before the July event.

BAR team principal Sir Ben Ainslie said: ‘Our goal to bring the America’s Cup home to Great Britain starts this summer and it will be fantastic to compete on our home waters in Portsmouth at the start of that journey.

‘The America’s Cup World Series event will provide a fantastic spectator experience with the teams battling it out literally meters away from the shore.

‘I’ve experienced the close-to-shore British crowd during the London 2012 Olympics and it pushed me that little bit harder.

‘In July, we will be competing against the world’s best America’s Cup teams and to have that home crowd supporting us will drive the team on.’

Portsmouth City Council leader Donna Jones said the World Series event would ‘provide a massive boost to our marine and maritime industry bringing economic benefit to Portsmouth.’

She added: ‘Alongside the racing and entertainment on Southsea Common, visitors can also enjoy the Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays and the Historic Dockyard taking in HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the amazing Mary Rose Museum.

‘There’s no better city to host this fantastic event, my message is simple – be there.’
The count down to the 2015 ACWS Portsmouth (23-26 July 2015) has started, for more information: visit www.acwsportsmouth.com