Tickets for this year’s America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth are selling fast with more than 85,000 bookings already having been made.

Organisers of the four-say sailing event say they’ve had a fantastic response to tickets sales since they were released earlier this month.

Taking place off Southsea Common between 23-26 July, fans will be able to watch some of the world’s top sailing talent battle it out in high-speed foiling catamarans.

More than 500,000 visitors are expected to attend the spectacular event as Sir Ben Ainslie and his team make their first steps towards bringing the Cup home to the UK.

Tickets to the free-to-view Waterside Festival Area have just sold out for the Saturday and Sunday, while the official Fanzone Area is also close to selling out.

With tickets starting from £20 per day, organisers are encouraging fans to secure their place now in order to avoid disappointment.

Event director Leslie Greenhalgh said: “We’re delighted with the ticket sales. The Waterside Festival Arena is officially sold out on the Saturday and Sunday and we only have limited number of tickets available for the Fanzone Arena.

“Within the first 48 hours of tickets going on sale over 60,000 tickets were booked, which shows the huge interest in the event. Don’t forget that the Thursday will feature the opening ceremony and parade of sail and the Friday will have preview racing so both also perfect days to come and watch the action.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to visit Portsmouth and watch the world’s best sailors competing on the world’s fastest boats – it’s going to be spectacular and you don’t want to miss it.”