The Defender in the America's Cup sailing competition is the team that holds the trophy and has been challenged by another union for the title return.[1]
| Year | Venue | Defending club | Defender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | Isle of Wight |  Royal Yacht Squadron | 8 cutters and 7 schooners, runner-up Aurora | |
| 1870 | New York City |  New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1871 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1876 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1881 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1885 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1886 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1887 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1893 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1895 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1899 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1901 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1903 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1920 | New York City | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1930 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1934 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1937 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1958 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1962 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1964 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1967 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1970 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1974 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1977 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1980 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | ||
| 1983 | Newport | New York Yacht Club | Freedom syndicate, Liberty | |
| 1987 | Fremantle |  Royal Perth Yacht Club | Kevin Parry, Kookaburra III | |
| 1988 | San Diego | San Diego Yacht Club | ||
| 1992 | San Diego | San Diego Yacht Club | ||
| 1995 | San Diego | San Diego Yacht Club | Sail America, Young America | |
| 2000 | Auckland |  Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron | ||
| 2003 | Auckland | Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron | Team New Zealand, NZL 82 | |
| 2007 | Valencia |  Société Nautique de Genève | ||
| 2010 | Valencia | Société Nautique de Genève | Alinghi, Alinghi 5 | |
| 2013 | San Francisco | Golden Gate Yacht Club | ||
| 2017 | Bermuda | Golden Gate Yacht Club | Oracle Team USA, 17 | |
| 2021 | Auckland | Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron | [2] | |
| 2024 | Barcelona | Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron | Emirates Team New Zealand, tba |