The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup comes to Barcelona accompanied by a Cultural Regatta, starting now and running to the the end of the year. The Cultural Regatta includes 200 activities based around culture, arts, sport, gastronomy, science and leisure, designed to strengthen Barcelona’s connection with the major sports event being staged in the city this summer and also to promote it.

The Catalan catamaran takes centre stage along the Barcelona coast

One of the main events in the Cultural Regatta will be the biggest ever display of Catalan catamarans. Hundreds of these vessels will be sharing the competition waters with the teams of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, creating a unique display. Up to 300 catamarans are expected to take part, demonstrating the passion for this sport.

Besides this exhibition, a school and young people’s league for shared vessels will be launched, along with another for junior Catalan catamarans, the goal being to promote sailing among younger generations and ensure the future of this sport in the city.

Closing festival for the programme “Viu la Vela”

“Viu la Vela” is one of the main programmes promoted by the Barcelona Sports Institute (IBE) which has allowed sailing sports to reach cities in the school and enabling nearly 10,000 children in their final year of primary school to try their hand at them.

The second edition of Viu la Vela culminates on 12 June with a big celebration at the Port Olímpic and the Nova Icària beach. The occasion offers a day full of activities and fun, where 2,000 students will be able to enjoy sailing and water games workshops and more.

“Viu la Vela” was conceived to help sailing reach all children in Barcelona, regardless of their origin or social circumstances. The programme is part of Barcelona City Council’s efforts to promote sport among younger generations and transmit values such as sustainability and respect for the environment. 

Blue Pavilion: A space for open-air sport

As part of the Cultural Regatta, Barcelona City Council is also promoting the Blue Pavilion, an initiative to turn the entire city seafront into a large open-air space for sport, from Port Vell to Port Fòrum. Free activities are being organised as part of this project and include open-water swimming, with the programme ‘Let’s move’.

The Cultural Regatta is open to everyone, with activities for all ages and all tastes. Check out the full range of activities at barcelona.cat/regatacultural.