Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, the curtain rises

Today, the curtain rises on the 49th edition of the Cannes Yachting Festival, which, with an exceptional fleet of 700 boats ranging from 5 to 55 meters, 680 exhibitors, nearly 150 world premieres, and 56,000 international visitors expected, confirms itself as the largest in-water boat show in Europe and one of the most important events of the entire international boating season.

Cannes Yachting Festival 2026: the best of global boating is in the water

For six days, the Festival will celebrate the wealth, experience, and know-how of the global boating industry, showcasing an extraordinary variety of models, accessories, services, and uses that tell the different ways of experiencing the sea and sailing.

Monohulls, multihulls, sailing and motor boats, day boats, superyachts, electric and hybrid vessels, trawlers, water toys, new and used boats: the best offerings from shipyards around the world are already lined up along the docks of Vieux Port and Port Canto, ready to surprise even the most demanding audience.

Completing the fleet in the water is a wide range of on-land offerings, bringing together shipyards, marine accessory manufacturers, interior designers, naval architects, brokers, marinas, service companies, and nautical tourism operators who, as explained by Constance Brément, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival, will have the opportunity to “experience fruitful meetings and important opportunities for discussion.”

The Yachting Voice and Superyachtoday are media partners of the event.

Vieux Port: the kingdom of motor boats

From the Jetée to Quai Max Laubeuf, passing through Quai Saint-Pierre, Pantiero, and the Palais, Vieux Port hosts a prestigious selection of newly designed motor boats ranging from 12 to 50 meters in length, along with the latest offerings from engine manufacturers, equipment companies, marinas, and service providers.

Motor catamaran enthusiasts will have the chance to admire all the most innovative proposals on the market at the Power Cat Village.

Port Canto: four worlds to explore

There are four exhibition areas hosted at Port Canto.

• The Sailing Area features 120 new sailing boats over 10 meters, both monohulls and multihulls.
• The Power Boat Marina brings together 180 motor day boats, with rigid or semi-rigid hulls, up to 13 meters in length.
• The Yacht Brokerage Area hosts 45 second-hand yachts over 25 meters, available for sale.
• The Toys Area showcases the latest innovations designed to enhance and prolong the experience at sea: from foils to electric surfboards and the most innovative nautical toys.

Cannes Yachting Festival 2026: nearly 150 world premieres

There will be nearly 150 world premieres presented at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026. Among the most anticipated models are the Azimut Magellano 27M, marking the first nautical collaboration of designer Michele De Lucchi, the ISA Viper 130, a superyacht of nearly 40 meters designed by Fulvio De Simoni, and the Grand Soleil Plus 80 Long Cruise, a sailing vessel over 26 meters.

Innovation Route: a look to the future

Port Canto and Vieux Port will also host the exhibition path of the Innovation Route, a true guided journey into the world of new technologies for navigation and nautical design. This year’s edition features 47 new proposals among vessels, equipment, services, and initiatives aimed at outlining the future of boating.

The Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 will also host the second edition of the Innovation Route Awards, which reward the most significant projects in four categories: the best equipment to optimize navigation, the best sustainable product, the best innovative vessel, and the best corporate social responsibility initiative.

The four winners will be announced on the opening night of the Festival, Tuesday, September 8, during the exhibitors’ cocktail organized at the VIP Club of Vieux Port.

Best of Boats Awards 2026

Another novelty of this year’s edition is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, when the Cannes Yachting Festival will host for the first time the presentation ceremony of the finalists for the Best of Boats Awards 2026, one of the most important international awards dedicated to motor vessels.

There will also be moments of conviviality, designed to experience the Festival beyond the boats. From Tuesday to Saturday, from 5 PM to 7 PM, the food truck village at Port Canto will host happy hour, while Friday evening music will accompany guests until 10 PM. In the Toys Area, exhibitors will also hold water demonstrations during the lunch break, from 12:30 PM to 1:20 PM.