Half a million expected to visit Portsmouth during America’s Cup World Series

Event organisers are hoping hundreds of thousands of people will descend on the coastal city for the America' Cup World Series in July

More than half a million visitors are expected to descend on Portsmouth this summer for the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) events.

Taking place between 23 – 26 July 2015, this will be the first of two ACWS hosted by the coastal city, with the second happening in 2016.

The races, managed by TEAMORIGIN Events, are set to bring world-class yacht racing to UK shores as the likes of Sir Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy battle it out aboard their foiling AC45s.

The ACWS Portsmouth recently held an event at the CWM FX London Boat Show to expand more on their plans, with TEAMOROGIN Events chairman Sir Keith Mills saying: “The ACWS will be a spectacular event for Britain. One of our main aims is to provide a sporting event that will benefit Portsmouth by brining huge visitor numbers into the city to experience the racing.

“To bring in the masses, we have to provide cost effective entertainment for all budgets and we have been working hard to firm up the event schedule and ticketing structure.

“Portsmouth will become a hive of activity with its key locations such as the Spinnaker Tower and Historic Dockyard incorporated within the event to showcase the city in all its glory.”

Sailors will take part in an F1 style paddock day on 23 July, with the public able to get up close to the magnificent boats, before race training on the 24th and the official start on the 25th.

The racing will take place over two days off Southsea Common, with ticketed fan zones and a hospitality pavilion for visitors to enjoy.

ACWS Portsmouth event director Leslie Greenhalgh said: “There will be giant screens, live commentary and the racing will be literally metres off the Common. Racing will take place in the main shipping channel in an area of water carefully managed by the Queen’s Harbour Master.”

Fans will also be able to enjoy the racing while afloat, with designated spectators boat zones in place.

Much like the Olympics, the public will also be able to volunteer at the upcoming events, with an Event Volunteer Engagement Programme being launched in February.