Barcelona set to become the 'Lighthouse to the World' at America's Cup Match Opening Ceremony

'Lighthouse to the World' poster © America's Cup

Ahead of the conclusion of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, the 'Match' between the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand and the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup, Barcelona is set to become the 'Lighthouse to the World' with a spectacular opening ceremony from 9pm on 10th October 2024 at Platja de Bogatell.

Aligned with the values and passion of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, the opening ceremony will highlight the power of sport, fused with art and culture as agents of change and a capacity for commitment. This spectacular event will herald the crescendo of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, being staged in Barcelona for the first time, and is an America's Cup Legacy project supported by America's Cup Event and their partners, and the host institutions coordinated through the Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation.

With America's Cup Event leading the production and distribution, the television signal will now be broadcast globally for an international audience and on La2, TV3 and Betevé. An unprecedented show is planned with stunning visuals featuring drones, laser constellations, LED screens, Avatars and seas of light all paired to beautiful soundtracks, musical performances and immersive symphonies, designed to take the viewer on an emotional journey that will captivate audiences around the world.

Barcelona, a city renowned for its innovation and culture, is the perfect setting for this event fusing technology, art and nature. The ceremony, inspired by the sea, wind and sail, symbolises human ingenuity and collective effort, creating a narrative that promises to re-connect audiences with the power of nature and the magic of maritime exploration.

Grant Dalton, CEO of America's Cup Event, spoke ahead of the announcement, saying: "Our connection with Barcelona, its people, culture and identity has resonated with the values we've sought to promote at the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup - Sustainability, Diversity, Inclusion, Technology and Innovation.

"This concert is designed to showcase those values whilst competing with unforgettable memories from the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 1992 - a memory seared in the minds of everyone who witnessed it. It will be a fitting spectacle and a lasting legacy for what has been an incredible summer of sailing in Barcelona ahead of the final 'Match' of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup."

Leslie Ryan, Event Director of America's Cup Events (ACE) Barcelona, captured what this special ceremony meant ahead of the conclusion of this unique sporting contest, saying: "Ever since we selected Barcelona as our host venue, we have felt the unique energy, which is what makes Barcelona such a special and iconic city on a global level. We are convinced that fans around the world will appreciate such a spectacular and memorable concert, one that will continue to showcase the successful partnership between Barcelona and the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup."

The ambitious and artistically creative show, orchestrated by Catalan composer Albert Guinovart, will feature world-renowned and regionally important artists including the Castellers de Vilafranca, the Liceu Orchestra and Choir, the Escolania de Montserrat, and the musicians, Sara Blanch, Arnau Tordera, and Arturo Calvo.

Stage Director Hanzel Cereza, captured the essence of the ambitious spectacular, saying: "The sea, the wind, and sailing will be central to a show that we hope will remain in the collective memory of the city, and that will be united by light and music, the guiding threads of a work that will culminate with an epic ending."

Albert Guinovart, composer and director of the soundtrack of the ceremony, echoed these words, saying: "We believe that the contrast between artists helps us to magnify the message of the show and to reach a transversal audience, which will be able to feel identified with the image that Barcelona and Catalonia want to project to the world through the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup."

The Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup opening ceremony is part of the legacy projects of the event coordinated with the host institutions through the Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation and will be a cornerstone celebration of the 'Barcelona, far al món' ceremony - the show that will encapsulate the endeavour of the oldest international sporting contest, for the famous 173 year old trophy, the America's Cup.

Announcing the details of this glittering spectacle at the official presentation on Thursday 26th September 2024, the institutional and artistic managers involved included: Miquel Sàmper, Minister of Business and Labor of the Generalitat of Catalonia and President of the Barcelona Capital Foundation Nautical; Jordi Valls, fourth Deputy Mayor of the Area of Economy, Finance, Economic Promotion and Tourism of Barcelona City Council; Leslie Ryan, Event Director America's Cup Event Barcelona; Joan Códol, director general of Focus; Albert Guinovart, composer and director of the soundtrack of the ceremony; and Hansel Cereza, director and scene creator.

Catalan Minister for Business and Labour, Miquel Sàmper, highlighted the legacy the America's Cup will leave to the city, saying: "This presentation ceremony of an artistic exhibition linked to a sporting event is a good example of the legacy that the America's Cup will leave, beyond this event."

The head of Business and Labour has emphasised that this competition "has stimulated the growth of the blue economy and the Catalan nautical sector, and has strengthened its research and innovation ecosystem, always with sustainability as a framework."

Jordi Valls, fourth deputy mayor for Economy, Tax, Economic Promotion and Tourism of the Barcelona City Council, added: "With the hosting of the America's Cup, Barcelona brings the sea into the city, not only to enjoy it but also to become a boost for the blue and green economy. This opening ceremony is art, culture, sports, innovation, avant-garde, technology and economic stimulus. Because, the ultimate meaning of this event is to serve the citizens, to improve the competitivity of the city, employment, the quality of life, and the prosperity of its neighbours."

Joan Códol, Director General of Focus, further added: "As on other occasions that have projected Barcelona to the world, the ceremony that we are presenting has the ambition of awakening the collective illusion of the city and showing the shared values of Barcelona and the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup all over the world."

In creating the spectacular opening ceremony of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Match, America's Cup Event (ACE) and the host institutions represented by the Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation, considered the following factors:

Sport and competition

The Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup is one of the most important sporting events in the world, with 173 years of history, highlighting values of excellence, technology and teamwork. Barcelona, the host city of the event, has been a ideal venue for its infrastructure, organisational capacity, climate and lifestyle.

Innovation and creativity

The people of Barcelona and Catalonia have always felt a connection with the sea that has driven them to explore and progress. The Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, as an event, represents an opportunity to look to the future, promoting sustainability, unity and collective progress.

Sustainability and the blue economy

The event and the city of Barcelona want to make a responsible contribution to the world, raising awareness and acting for the sustainability of the Mediterranean. The Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup is the start to consolidate Barcelona as a nautical capital, promoting the Green Economy and the values of the 2030 agenda.

Identity and territory

The lighthouse symbolisation that will be central to the opening ceremony of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup match reflect Barcelona's hospitality and openness, the Mediterranean character that projects enthusiasm, excellence and participation. The Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup democratises nautical activity, turning the sea into a public space that promotes social, economic and cultural change.