More Funds For American Magic Pensacola HQ

Update: March 5, 2024

The City of Pensacola has received three allocations of funding to build out a facility at the Port of Pensacola designed to house the American Magic sailing team.  The first, $8.5m from the Triumph Gulf Coast fund was announced on May 11, 2023 and on May 15, 2023, the city received an additional $3.9m from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund.  The final piece of funding announced today came from the Florida Seaport Transportation Economic Development program and totalled $2.625 m.  The lease has been finalized and we are moving ahead!

Backstory

Team American Magic is the U.S. sailing team formed by Bella Mente Racing, Quantum Racing, and the New York Yacht Club to compete in the 37th America’s Cup.

American Magic selected Pensacola as its winter training base in preparation for the 36th America’s Cup and returned to leverage the optimal sailing conditions in preparation for the 37th America’s Cup which occurs in October 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.

The favorable sailing conditions on the Pensacola Bay, combined with collaborations in the Pensacola community moved the team and the City toward the creation of a permanent base at the port.

A Base For What?

American Magic will move its fabrication, engineering, and design teams to the base and the Port of Pensacola will be modified to include ramp and dockage for the foiling monohulls and support boats in the American Magic Fleet.

What Does This Mean For Pensacola?

The American Magic racing program depends on some 170 jobs that will be a new addition to the Pensacola economy and will be a near-term economic lift to the community.

On a longer time frame, American Magic’s presence in Pensacola and their importation of engineers, boatbuilders, and technicians will stimulate the development of a high-tech marine sector that will drive a new techno-industrial definition of Pensacola.

Sail Pensacola – Catching the Breeze!

Sail Pensacola Inc was organized to harness the momentum created by American Magic’s endorsement of the Pensacola Bay as an all-season sailing venue.  Sail Pensacola will leverage this endorsement, our natural sailing assets, and the deep history of sailing in the discovery and founding of Pensacola to drive resurgent interest in making Pensacola Bay the epicenter of sailing technology, world-class sailing events, and recreational sailing over the decades to come!

Welcome Home American Magic!