Cork Harbour is now thought to be out of the running to host the America’s Cup in 2024.
An announcement is expected tonight (Wednesday, 15 September) from America’s Cup holders Team Emirates New Zealand (ETNZ) in which they will reveal their preferred bidder for the event.
A source close to Afloat.ie said Cork Harbour was the "preferred bidder" subject to certain "contractual details" and further analysis to be completed over the next two months.
It is also understood the Department of Sport officials wanted another six months or so to assess the bid even though the matter was with the Department since March.
The news comes as a big disappointment to the Cork campaign. The team had been working on the bid since January, according to Cork TD and Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney
As Afloat previously reported, an America's Cup technical team had travelled to Cork in June to assess the venue.
A report in the Irish Examiner this afternoon suggests that there is “no political will” to back the event.
It’s understood that coalition leaders had requested more time to consider the cost-benefit analysis of staging the event, which would require a €150 million investment.
The campaign has had the backing of Coveney as well as local business leaders and even former Munster Rugby captain Doug Howlett — who believed Cork city and region could see a multi-million-euro economic boost from the event.
