Three new countries will be participating for the first time in Americ´s Cup, these countries are: South Africa, Germany and China. Five continents are represented, reinforcing the global appeal of the America’s Cup.

There were 13 challengers from six countries in Australia in 1987 and 11 challengers from seven countries in 1999 in Auckland. This year 11 challengers representing nine countries will be participating in the first America’s Cup in Europe.