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You are here: America's Cup 2016 > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the America’s Cup World Series?
- What's happening in Portsmouth?
- Where is it?
- What is the Race Village?
- Can I buy tickets on the day?
- Do kids go free?
- How can I get to the event?
- Where can I park?
- Will areas around Southsea Common be closed?
- Will there be disability access?
- What is the schedule for each day?
- Can I leave the site and come back in during the day?
- Can I bring my own food and drink?
- Can I bring folding chairs to the Festival Area?
- What happens if racing is cancelled?
- Are dogs allowed into the event sites?
1. What is the America’s Cup World Series?
The America’s Cup is the world's premier sailing event. It features the best sailors in the world competing on 45-foot catamarans capable of reaching speeds upwards of 50mph.
It started with a race around the Isle of Wight in 1851, which was won by the New York Yacht Club on their boat 'America' - hence the name. Great Britain has never won it but Sir Ben Ainslie, Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor, has entered a British team - based in Portsmouth - and is aiming to bring the America's Cup home.
The America’s Cup World Series is the first stage of competition in the 2017 America’s Cup. Overall ranking in this competition determines the starting position of the teams in the America's Cup Qualifiers, to be held in 2017.
2. What's happening in Portsmouth?
2015 marks the second of two America's Cup World Series events in Portsmouth. The first took place on 23-26 July 2015, whilst this year's event runs from 21-24 July.
The event promises world-class sport and entertainment, appealing in equal measure to keen sailing fans and families looking for a fun day out.
There will be thrilling racing close to the shore and visible from the seafront. Spectators will also enjoy aerial displays from the Red Arrows, Red Bull Matadors, Spitfires, Blades, and the Trig Aerobatic Team. There will also be parades, food and drink, shopping and activities for all the family.
Additionally, a programme of evening concerts is planned, with something for all musical tastes.
3. Where is it?
The Race Village for the America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth will house all the attractions, including viewing areas, Grandstand seating, a Tech Zone and more. It will be on Southsea Common, as will event parking.
The Big Screen outside Portsmouth Guildhall will also be showing live coverage of the event.
4. What is the Race Village?
The Race Village is the place for sailing fans and families alike to immerse themselves in the weekend's events.
See the skippers and sailors close up, watch the official presentations and enjoy the Parade of Sail close-up, with expert commentary about each team.
Tickets are sold via Ticketmaster.
5. Can I buy tickets on the day?
Access on the day will depend on the capacity each day. To avoid disappointment please register and book in advance. If there is still capacity on the day, tickets will be available on site.
6. Do kids go free?
Children under the age of 5 can enter the race village for free. Junior tickets (ages 5-15) are £12.50 - plus booking fee. Family tickets (for families of four) are available for £62.52 - plus booking fee.
7. How can I get to the event?
The best way to get to the event is by public transport, walking or cycling, as traffic coming into Portsmouth is likely to be busier than normal.
Walking:
Portsmouth is a flat city making it perfect to explore on foot or bike. If you live locally, or arrive at Portsmouth Harbour Station, you can easily make your way to the Race Village on foot. The route is clearly signposted and travel advisors will be on hand to point you in the right direction.
It's also an opportunity to take in the event atmosphere and follow the stretch of water along which ACWS competitors will sail. The route also takes you past Land Rover BAR Team HQ, the home of the British team.
Cycling:
If you reach the race village by bike there's additional cycle parking, with spaces available for hundreds of bikes next to the skate park off Avenue De Caen.
By Rail:
There are regular trains from London Waterloo and Victoria Stations, which bring you right into the heart of the waterfront at Portsmouth Harbour Station.
From Portsmouth Harbour Station it’s a short 20-minute walk. Alternatively there are regular free shuttle buses between Portsmouth Harbour Station and the Race Village (see below).
By Bus:
There will be regular shuttle buses running from Gunwharf Quays to the Race Village. This is a free service.
Travel by bus around Portsmouth is also very easy, with great services provided by Stagecoach and First Group. More information can be found at: myjourneyportsmouth.com
Park & Ride:
There will be additional Park & Ride car parks for the duration of the America’s Cup World Series, clearly signposted on the main roads heading towards Portsmouth.
Please note – all Park & Ride bookings can be paid for on the day (cash only), although we do recommend pre-booking where possible.
Park & Ride return journeys:
The pick-up point for Portsmouth Park & Ride is Pier Road South.
The pick-up point for Cosham (KGV) Park & Ride is Pembroke Road.
Last buses are as follows:
Thursday 00:00
Friday 00:00
Saturday 01:00 (Sunday morning)
Sunday 20:00
Taxis:
There will be two separate dedicated taxi pick up and drop off points close to the Race Village, one on the north side of Clarence Parade for Hackney Cabs and one off Avenue de Caen for pre-booked Private Hire taxis. There are also taxi ranks for Hackney Cabs at Hovertravel and Osborne Road.
8. Where can I park?
We strongly recommend the use of public transport, walking or cycling to get to and from the event sites.
On-site parking at the Common has now sold out.
If you have a hospitality car pass or if you are a Blue Badge holder with a Fanzone ticket, please follow signs to the “VIP car park” close to Southsea Castle - Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth PO5 3PA.
There is also pay and display parking available throughout the city.
9. Will areas around Southsea Common be closed?
During the build-up to the event there will be restricted access to Southsea Common, Castle Field and the Bandstand.
Access will not be permitted to any areas within the event sites for the day before and day after each event. Once the events have started there will be access for ticket holders only.
Clarence Esplanade will be closed between Castle Field and Southsea Skate Park to allow people easy movement across the site.
10. Will there be disability access?
There will be Blue Badge parking to the West of the Waterfront Festival Arena. Additional Blue Badge Parking will be provided just outside the Race Village for ticket holders.
The Race Village is flat, grassy and easily accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter. There will be adequate ramped access to all areas where required.
The Grandstand will have an accessible viewing platform.
11. What is the schedule for each day?
Thursday 21st July:
Thursday is a preview day focusing on youth engagement in the community - in partnership with the 1851 Trust. As such, the day's events will not be open to the public.
Friday 22nd July:
- Official press conference
- Sailors dock-out show
- On water displays
- Red Arrows display
- Preview racing
- Dock-in show and post-racing analysis with the sailors
- Poster signing at team hubs/meet the sailors
- Apres-sail 16.30 - 18.00 with entertainment
- Official event opening ceremony
Saturday 23rd July:
- Sailors dock-out show
- Aerial and on-water displays
- Live hosted stage and live racing with commentary on big screens throughout Race Village
- Racing 13:30 - 15:00
- Dock-in show and post-racing analysis with the sailors
- Poster signing at team hubs/meet the sailors
- Apres-sail 16.30 - 18.00 with entertainment
Sunday 24th July:
- Sailors dock-out show
- Aerial and on-water displays
- Live hosted stage and live racing with commentary on big screens throughout Race Village
- Racing 13.30 - 15:00
- Dock-in show and post-racing analysis with the sailors
- Poster signing at team hubs/meet the sailors
- 17:00 - Awards Ceremony
- Apres-sail 16:30 - 18:30 with entertainment
Please note, the programme is subject to change. The full event schedule is available online.
12. Can I leave the site and come back in during the day?
People can leave the site and re-enter during the day but may have to queue to gain re-entry.
13. Can I bring my own food and drink?
Sealed water bottles are allowed. No other food and drink may be brought into the Waterfront Festival Arena or Fanzone Arena. Free drinking water is available at bars and welfare.
14. Can I bring folding chairs to the Festival Area?
Folding chairs are permitted during the event.
15. What happens if racing is cancelled?
Racing is weather-dependent. In the event that no race is started on a given day, tickets may be refunded for that day.
16. Are dogs allowed into the event sites?
All dogs, with the exception of assistance dogs are not permitted into the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Portsmouth event sites.
