The 35th America’s Cup is set to soar today, with gates opening at 11.30am — and racing to run from 2pm to 5pm.

Festivities really take off tonight, with Wyclef Jean’s performance beginning at 5.15pm on the main stage at the Event Village, followed by the official opening ceremony at 8.30pm. The village gates close at 9.30pm.

Tickets start with entry to the village at $10 for locals and $20 for visitors, at www.acbda.bm. The site also details travel options.

Spectators can otherwise choose from grandstand seating, to the Longtail Lounge, the Gosling’s Dark n’ Stormy Island Bar, and official spectator boats.

While the big screen is not set up on Front Street, prime viewing is available from the spectator zone on the water — but boats must be registered: flags are $35 for vessels under 40ft, and are valid for the full AC35 season.

Each day’s racecourse around the Great Sound will be determined according to wind patterns — for now, the conditions that scuppered yesterday’s premiere are to give way to fair conditions, with light to moderate westerly winds veering to the southwest by Sunday.

In any event, the finish line will always be set for in front of the Event Village.

To get to the Dockyard venue, motorcycles are encouraged to reduce congestion: parking is free at the transportation hub near the village entrance.

Note that private car access to Dockyard is subject to restrictions: there will be checkpoints in place just after Boaz Island from 10.30am each day.

Taxis are unaffected, and public buses will run as normal.

Parking for cars is available at the Boaz Island sports field, with back-ups at Warren Simmons field, and Somerset Primary, Sandys Secondary and West End Primary schools.

Parking needs to be booked online at www.americascup.com/tickets. Shuttles will carry spectators to the races. Each car is $25 when booked in advance, or $30 if booked within 24 hours.

Ferries are encouraged, but the special ferries must be pre-booked, both ways — and tickets are specific to the times booked.

Today’s ferries dedicated to the America’s Cup set off from Hamilton at 10.45am, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 12.25pm and 1.15pm — returning at 5.15pm, 6pm, 6.45pm, 7.30pm, 8pm, 8.45pm, 9pm, 10pm and 10.15pm. Special ferries from the village to St George are scheduled for 5.30pm, 7.45pm and 9.45pm.

Public ferries are also available to Dockyard, with a free shuttle train to the village, setting off from the Clocktower Mall.