There are few places in the world better suited to a major yacht show than Cannes, and from 8 to 13 September 2026, the French Riviera will once again become the international meeting place for yacht owners, boating enthusiasts, industry professionals, designers and luxury-lifestyle lovers as the Cannes Yachting Festival returns to the city’s spectacular waterfront.
Spread across two iconic locations — Cannes’ Vieux Port and Port Canto — the 2026 edition promises an extraordinary showcase of the international boating industry, with more than 700 boats and yachts, hundreds of exhibitors and an impressive selection of new launches and innovations.
The Festival describes itself as an opportunity to tour, sea-trial and discover some of the world’s most exceptional yachts in the heart of the French Riviera. And that setting is difficult to beat: visitors move between the historic Vieux Port at the foot of Le Suquet and Port Canto at the eastern end of the Croisette, with the Mediterranean providing the backdrop throughout.
Two harbours, two very different experiences
The Vieux Port is the Festival’s home for motor yachts and marine innovation. Visitors can expect more than 350 boats ranging from approximately 12 to 45 metres, alongside major shipyards, marine equipment manufacturers and companies showcasing the latest developments in boating technology.
The Vieux Port is the Festival’s home for motor yachts and marine innovation. Visitors can expect more than 350 boats ranging from approximately 12 to 45 metres, alongside major shipyards, marine equipment manufacturers and companies showcasing the latest developments in boating technology.
The atmosphere changes at Port Canto, where sailing takes centre stage. The harbour hosts the Sailing Area, Yacht Brokerage Area, Toys Area and Power Boat Marina, creating a particularly diverse experience for visitors interested in everything from sailing yachts and pre-owned superyachts to dayboats and water toys.
For sailing enthusiasts, 2026 is shaping up to be particularly interesting. The Festival says that around 120 monohulls and multihulls will be displayed in the Sailing Area, with more than 400 metres of quay dedicated to monohulls and more than 450 metres to multihulls. The 2026 programme also includes a selection of world premieres.
A major international showcase
The scale of the event is considerable. Festival figures list approximately 56,600 visitors, 680+ exhibitors and 710+ boats and yachts, underlining why Cannes has become such an important date on the international boating calendar.
The scale of the event is considerable. Festival figures list approximately 56,600 visitors, 680+ exhibitors and 710+ boats and yachts, underlining why Cannes has become such an important date on the international boating calendar.
Beyond simply looking at beautiful boats, visitors can explore new marine technology, equipment, design and sustainable innovations through the Festival’s Innovation Route. The programme includes awards recognising innovative vessels, sustainable products, navigation equipment and corporate social-responsibility initiatives.
And, of course, there is the possibility of actually stepping aboard some of the vessels. Many exhibitors allow visitors to tour boats, although individual access is controlled by exhibitors. Selected exhibitors also offer sea trials, generally by appointment and subject to their own conditions.
When is the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026?
The Festival runs for six days, from Tuesday 8 September through Sunday 13 September 2026.
The official visitor opening hours are:
Tuesday 8 September: 10:00–19:00
Wednesday 9 September: 10:00–19:00
Thursday 10 September: 10:00–19:00
Friday 11 September: 10:00–22:00
Saturday 12 September: 10:00–19:00
Sunday 13 September: 10:00–18:00
The Friday evening opening until 22:00 gives visitors an opportunity to experience the show after dark, when the atmosphere around the Cannes waterfront takes on an entirely different character.
Where is it held?
The Festival is divided between:
The Festival is divided between:
Vieux Port — Cannes
Located in the centre of Cannes, immediately below Le Suquet and alongside the Croisette.
Port Canto — Cannes
Located at the eastern end of the Croisette.
The two sites are both part of the same Festival, making it worthwhile to allow plenty of time to explore both. The Festival’s official interactive map is intended to help visitors locate exhibitors, boats, restaurants, VIP areas, entrances and shuttle stops.
What about tickets?
Tickets are sold through the official Cannes Yachting Festival ticketing platform. The Festival’s website directs visitors to its online ticketing system for purchases.
Tickets are sold through the official Cannes Yachting Festival ticketing platform. The Festival’s website directs visitors to its online ticketing system for purchases.
Important: the official ticketing platform is currently protected against automated access, so the individual 2026 public ticket price is not reliably exposed in the publicly crawlable pages. Rather than publish an unverified figure, visitors should check the live price displayed when purchasing through the official ticket portal.
The official website also offers VIP programmes, with enhanced hospitality and additional services for visitors looking for a more exclusive Festival experience.
Official tickets: Cannes Yachting Festival ticketing platform
Getting there from the Riviera
For international visitors, the obvious gateway is Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport, which is approximately 30 minutes from Cannes by Uber under normal traffic conditions. The Festival also highlights transport connections and accommodation options for visitors travelling to the show.
For international visitors, the obvious gateway is Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport, which is approximately 30 minutes from Cannes by Uber under normal traffic conditions. The Festival also highlights transport connections and accommodation options for visitors travelling to the show.
For anyone already staying on the Côte d’Azur, Cannes is particularly accessible by train, making the Festival a relatively easy day trip from Nice, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Monaco and many other Riviera destinations.
More than just boats
The Cannes Yachting Festival has increasingly become as much a lifestyle event as a traditional boat show.
The Cannes Yachting Festival has increasingly become as much a lifestyle event as a traditional boat show.
Visitors can combine yacht viewing with restaurants, waterfront spaces, networking, shopping and the general Riviera atmosphere surrounding the Croisette. The Festival’s new Solarium at the Vieux Port, for example, offers a beach-style relaxation area with loungers and parasols, while live demonstrations are also scheduled nearby.
There is also an important practical element behind the glamour. The Festival has supported the SNSM, France’s national sea-rescue organisation, for several years, highlighting the importance of safety at sea alongside the industry’s focus on luxury and performance.
Follow the Cannes Yachting Festival
For announcements, new yacht reveals, exhibitor news, photographs, videos and updates during the event, the Festival maintains official accounts across the major social platforms:
The Festival itself lists Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X and YouTube as its official social channels.
Cannes prepares to welcome the world of yachting
For six September days, Cannes becomes a floating showroom for some of the most exciting developments in the international boating industry. Whether your interest is a sleek motor yacht, a sailing catamaran, the latest marine technology, water toys, yacht brokerage or simply experiencing one of the Riviera’s major luxury events, the Cannes Yachting Festival offers plenty to explore.
For six September days, Cannes becomes a floating showroom for some of the most exciting developments in the international boating industry. Whether your interest is a sleek motor yacht, a sailing catamaran, the latest marine technology, water toys, yacht brokerage or simply experiencing one of the Riviera’s major luxury events, the Cannes Yachting Festival offers plenty to explore.
And there is something particularly fitting about seeing the newest generation of yachts gathered along the Cannes waterfront. The Festival combines the serious business of an international marine industry event with the glamour, sunshine and unmistakable lifestyle of the French Riviera.
Cannes Yachting Festival 2026
8–13 September 2026
Vieux Port & Port Canto, Cannes
Friday late opening: until 22:00
No comments:
Post a Comment