Barcelona names America's Cup organizer 'Friend of City'

Following the recent 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona and the final regatta between Emirates Team New Zealand and Ineos Britannia, the city council has named Grant Dalton, CEO of the sailing championship, a 'Friend of the City.'

Dalton led the winning team and decided that Barcelona would be the host city of the 2024 edition over two years ago.

The city council praises "his contribution to making Barcelona a profoundly sporting and international city, as well as for the America’s Cup’s commitment to upholding the city’s values," the council said in a statement.

The local administration, under Socialist Jaume Collboni's leadership, will give the Sports Gold Medal to the Sail Team BCN sailing team, a group of athletes that represented Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain in the women's and youth's regattas.

Sail Team BCN has "proudly" represented the city and has inspired locals, especially the women's team, opening new paths for future sailors.

They ranked third in the Puig Women's America's Cup, a "heroic" feat.

Not in Barcelona

Despite the awards and the positive outcome for the organizers and the local administration, Barcelona will not be hosting the next edition of the America's Cup.

Both the winner, New Zealand, and the city council ruled out the Catalan capital hosting the 2026 edition.

Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton took Barcelona off the table on October 22.

"It would be difficult to expand the number of teams based on the available infrastructure in Barcelona," he said at the time.

With the announcement, the CEO of the Kiwis, who won the 37th edition of the sailing competition, suggested that they were looking for another venue for the 38th America's Cup.

Meanwhile, the economy councilor Jordi Valls argued that the competition cannot contribute more to the city if it is extended until 2026. 

"A new edition makes no sense. The event was unique for 2024, it was successful, and the split with the America's Cup organizer was amicable," he said.