Sir Ben Ainslie's preparations for his bid to win the America's Cup will include two races in Portsmouth.

The Lymington-based Olympian announced today that America's Cup World Series (ACWS) races will take place at the city from 23-26 July 2015 and 21-24 July 2016.

The races allow competitors to test the 45ft catamarans they will be using in the 35th America's Cup, which takes place in 2017, and their overall placings will affect their seeding in the America's Cup qualifying events.

Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) is the British challenger for the event, and in June its plans to set up an America's Cup headquarters in the city were approved.

All six of the America's Cup teams will compete in the ACWS event which is one of up to 10 regattas being held around the world during the next two years.

Sir Ben said: "The last ACWS was a game changer for the sport of sailing - the racing was entertaining and brought in the crowds.

"The new foiling AC45s (45ft catamarans) are going to be faster and even more exciting than the previous generation and we promise to provide an event experience like you have never seen before. Come and cheer us on."

Portsmouth council leader Donna Jones said: "The ACWS has a proven record of attracting huge spectator numbers to competing venues, and it will provide a massive boost to our marine and maritime industry and bring economic benefit to Portsmouth."

The Portsmouth events will encompass the dockyard, HMS Warrior and Victory, the Mary Rose Museum, the Spinnaker Tower, Gun Wharf Quays and Southsea Castle.

.The last ACWS event was held in Plymouth in 2011, and saw 150,000 spectators flock to the city.