Valencia beat competition from the Atlantic port of Lisbon, Portugal, and the Mediterranean ports of Marseille, France, and Naples, Italy to win the hosting rights.
Traditionally the current champions, Swiss team Alinghi, would host the race but as Switzerland is landlocked it was impossible for a traditional home defence.
However AC boss Michel Bonnefous said: "The Swiss influence will be felt, even if our country is used to showing itself in a thoughtful and discreet manner. We're Swiss and we're organising it."
