Book your place for The America's Cup World Series, Portsmouth

ACWS Portsmouth Golden Ticket © TeamORIGIN

ACWS Portsmouth Golden Ticket © TeamORIGIN

ACWS Portsmouth Golden Ticket © TeamORIGIN

This summer's 'must have' tickets for The America's Cup World Series, Portsmouth (ACWSUK) are officially available from Monday 2nd March. Fans and spectators are encouraged to book their place now to avoid disappointment with event organisers already receiving a large number of ticket and hospitality enquires.

Up to 500,000 visitors are expected to attend the four day sporting and entertainment spectacular (Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th July 2015) providing awe-inspiring opportunities to watch the world's best sailors battling it out on high speed AC45 foiling catamarans. The spectator experience will cater for all tastes with both free-to-view and paid ticket options. The paid tickets will provide access to the official event "Fanzone Arena", allowing up to 5,000 fans per day to immerse themselves in the world of the America's Cup whilst enjoying prime views of the race course and access to exclusive event entertainment.

The free-to-view area will be located on Southsea Common, to be named 'The Waterfront Festival Arena' where only pre-registered ticket holders will gain access. All tickets are only available through www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ACWSPortsmouth

World class hospitality packages also go on sale from Monday 2nd March through Official Hospitality Provider Sportsworld. Offering premium experience packages in the prime site 'Waterfront Pavilion' – the only site that will have direct views overlooking the racing – a mere 100m away – these are once in a lifetime opportunities.

Details are available on www.acwsportsmouth.com/hospitality and by emailing:

The America's Cup World Series Portsmouth event Chairman Sir Keith Mills, GBE, has been central to the delivery of some of the UK's greatest sporting events, most recently as Deputy Chairman of London 2012 and Chairman of 'Invictus Games'. He outlines the expectations; "This event is set to take centre stage in the UK in July – this is a historical moment: the first time a British America's Cup team will race in an official America's Cup event in UK waters since 1851. We believe the ticket and hospitality packages and event schedule cater for all requirements – our aim is to provide 'something for everyone' – and to ensure this is both a sporting and an entertainment experience. Thursday is the first day of the event and will feature an all team parade of sail and public opening ceremony. Friday is the practice/race preview day and the first opportunity for fans to watch the sailing teams test themselves on Portsmouth's waters. Saturday and Sunday are official race days with a full day's entertainment on both the Southsea Common 'Waterfront Festival' arena and inside the official event Fanzone Arena."

Ticket holders can celebrate securing this summer's 'must have' tickets by entering the #goldenticketACWSUK social media competition. www.acwsportsmouth.com/goldenticket.

Sir Keith added; "We have received huge amounts of pre-sale demand for tickets and we encourage fans to book their place early, this is the summer's golden ticket. The America's Cup World Series, Portsmouth is a fantastic opportunity for the British public to enjoy a unique festival atmosphere and watch these incredible boats racing, you don't want to miss it."

British supporters will be able to get behind home team Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR), who will be competing on home waters for the first time. The new BAR base is currently under construction in Portsmouth and the team are due to move in two months before the July event.

BAR Team Principal Sir Ben Ainslie, outlined the team's excitement; "Our goal to bring the America's Cup home to Great Britain starts this summer and it will be fantastic to compete on our home waters in Portsmouth at the start of that journey. The America's Cup World Series event will provide a fantastic spectator experience with the teams battling it out literally metres away from the shore. I've experienced the close-to-shore British crowd during the London 2012 Olympics and it pushed me that little bit harder. In July, we will be competing against the world's best America's Cup teams and to have that home crowd supporting us will drive the team on."

Portsmouth City Council understands the potential the America's Cup World Series brings to the City and encourages visitors to take in everything Portsmouth has to offer. Leader of the Council Donna Jones said; "Portsmouth will be THE place to be during this World Series event, with a unique atmosphere, and we look forward to welcoming the World to our city. I'm delighted that our residents will be able to enjoy this incredible spectacle. Visitors to the city are on the rise and this summer's event promises to entice many more. It also will provide a massive boost to our marine and maritime industry bringing economic benefit to Portsmouth. Alongside the racing and entertainment on Southsea Common, visitors can also enjoy the Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays and the Historic Dockyard taking in HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the amazing Mary Rose Museum. There's no better city to host this fantastic event, my message is simple – be there."

The count down to the 2015 ACWS Portsmouth (23-26 July 2015) has started, for more information: visit www.acwsportsmouth.com.