Lights, music, and drones take over Barcelona during America's Cup opening ceremony

'Barcelona: A Lighthouse to the World' is the name of the event marking the official start of the 37th America's Cup sailing championship. The first-ever opening ceremony for the championship took place on Thursday at 9 p.m. at Bogatell Beach.

During the 40-minute show, over 1,000 drones lit up the skies over the city, accompanied by eleven 8.5-meter-tall LED screens that were moved by dancers. This was the longest drone show ever seen in Spain.

Even though the event took place at the beach, it also featured Sagrada Família and the Torre Glòries.

Dozens of dancers moved the large screens around a circular stage representing a lighthouse, celebrating one of humanity's earliest communication tools: light. The show blended technology, art, and nature, all inspired by the sea, wind, and sailing.

Avatars and seas of light, synchronized with musical performances and immersive symphonies, took viewers on a captivating journey, mesmerizing audiences worldwide.

The highlight of the event was the premiere of Barcelona's new anthem: 'Barcelona Far al Món,' which organizers envisioned as a new anthem for the city, similar to Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé's iconic 'Barcelona,' sung before the 1992 Olympic Games. The song was performed by opera singer Sara Blanch and pop musician Arnau Tordera.

The show also featured the Castellers de Vilafranca human towers, who recently won the biennial Castellers contest, the Orchestra and Choir of the Liceu opera house, and the Escolania de Montserrat choir.

During the show, the appearance on video of the Escolanets de Montserrat did not like with around 50 attendees who turn on fireworks and chanted against. After the appearance, they left the beach.

Why an opening ceremony now?

Many Barcelona residents have questioned why the opening ceremony is happening in October, even though the championship began on August 22.

The city has hosted several events related to the sailing competition, but none of them was the actual America's Cup or 'The Match.'

On August 22, a preliminary regatta started, with the six teams competing in what was essentially a practice championship. Later, on August 29, the Louis Vuitton Cup kicked off, where five challengers—Ineos Britannia, Orient Express Racing Team, Alinghi Red Bull, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, and American Magic—competed for the sole spot in the America’s Cup 'The Match.'

Between mid-September and mid-October, the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup and the Puig Women’s America’s Cup took place, with young sailors and female teams competing.

The actual America's Cup championship begins on October 12 with 'The Match,' where the defending champions, Emirates Team New Zealand, will face the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup: Ineos Britannia.

The British team claimed victory at the Louis Vuitton Cup, defeating Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 7-4 in the final. This marked the first time in 60 years that Britain had won the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup.

The new America’s Cup champion will be the first team to score seven points in a 13-race match between Emirates Team New Zealand and Ineos Britannia.