A hospitality boss says the Government's missed a major financial opportunity by not backing an Auckland America's Cup bid

The play for 2027 series can't go ahead without that funding.

Ministers estimated it would have cost them 75-million-dollars.

Hospitality NZ Chief Executive, Steve Armitage, says this contradicts the Government's growth message.

He says it would double the money put in - if the event went half as well as Barcelona.