This club was bestowed Royal Patronage by HRH King Umberto I of Italy since its inception.

[1] This club has the privilege of the use of a special ensign, the "Bandiera della Marina Militare" (Italian Navy Flag).

[2] Its first regatta took place in 1880 in the Bay of La Spezia with 177 yachts.

The Yacht Club Italiano together with the Yacht Club de France runs the Giraglia Cup regatta from Saint Tropez, past Giraglia, the northernmost point of Corsica, to Genoa.

The club was from 2003 to 2007 the home to Luna Rossa Challenge, a syndicate that competes in America's Cup races.