Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 runs September 8-13 across the Vieux Port and Port Canto, with organisers already flagging around 150 world premieres and electric-propulsion innovations ahead of the show. The dates were locked in on September 15, 2025, the day after the previous edition closed. This preview covers only what has been officially announced so far — no attendance or results exist yet.
Table of Contents
- Dates and venues for 2026
- What organisers have confirmed so far
- The 2025 benchmark
- Why the order book points to a busy show
- Planning around the show
- FAQ
Dates and Venues for 2026
Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 takes place September 8-13 across its two traditional sites, the Vieux Port and Port Canto on the French Riviera. The dates were confirmed on September 15, 2025 — the day after the 2025 edition closed — according to Yacht Buyer. As in past editions, the Vieux Port traditionally hosts motor yachts while Port Canto serves as the in-water showcase for sailing yachts.
Cannes traditionally opens Europe's September show season, which runs directly into the Salone Nautico di Genova and the Southampton International Boat Show, ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show, all within the following three to four weeks. For international buyers and brokers mapping an autumn Europe trip, that sequencing is the first planning detail worth noting.
What Organisers Have Confirmed So Far
Show organisers have already announced roughly 150 world premieres for the 2026 edition, alongside electric-propulsion innovations among the expected launches, per Boat International's show guide. No exhibitor list, total boat count, or attendance projection has been released as of this writing — figures the organisation typically confirms only in the final weeks before opening.
That means any visitor number, sales result, or debut highlight for 2026 does not exist yet and will only be reportable once the show opens in September. This preview is limited strictly to what organisers have officially communicated.
The 2025 Benchmark
The 48th edition, held September 9-14, 2025, drew more than 600 international exhibitors and over 700 boats ranging from 5 to 50 metres across both venues, including the floating sailboat display at Port Canto, according to Boat International's 2025 guide. The show closed with more than 55,000 visitors and 103 boats making their global or show debut — the numbers against which 2026 will eventually be measured.
| Metric | 2025 edition (actual) | 2026 edition (announced) |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | September 9-14 | September 8-13 |
| Venues | Vieux Port and Port Canto | Vieux Port and Port Canto |
| Exhibitors | 600+ | not yet disclosed |
| Boats on display | 700+ | not yet disclosed |
| World/show premieres | 103 | around 150 expected |
| Visitors | 55,000+ | does not exist yet (future event) |
| Technology focus | -- | electric-propulsion innovations expected |
If the 150-premiere projection holds, 2026 would represent nearly 50 percent more launches than the 103 recorded in 2025 — a plausible reading of the announced figure, not a confirmed outcome.
Why the Order Book Points to a Busy Show
The backdrop helps explain why organisers are projecting a heavier premiere count. Boat International's Global Order Book 2026, published in December 2025, counted 1,093 yachts of 24 metres or more on order or in build with contracts signed before September 1, 2025 — down roughly 4 percent from 1,138 the previous year, even as average length under construction hit a record. Italy accounted for 52 percent of the total (568 yachts, 240,560GT), with Azimut|Benetti Group topping the builder ranking for a 26th consecutive year (163 units under construction) and Sanlorenzo, including Nautor Swan, ranking second (130 yachts), per the Global Order Book report.
That order volume — with build slots at leading yards committed through 2028-2029 — lines up with the busier launch calendar Cannes organisers are forecasting for 2026. Builder financials reinforce the same picture: Ferretti Group closed the first nine months of 2025 with its order backlog up 12.9 percent to €1.5 billion, driven by a 29.5 percent jump in its superyacht segment, according to SuperYacht Times.
Planning Around the Show
Organisers have not yet released ticket pricing, press-accreditation terms, or an exhibitor list for 2026 — details that typically surface in the final weeks before opening, and which Voguer News will update in a dedicated report once confirmed. For now, the two fixed points to plan around are the September 8-13 window and the venue split between motor yachts at the Vieux Port and sailing yachts at Port Canto.
Buyers or brokers arranging Mediterranean charter around the show should check current pricing and availability for the 2026 European season beforehand, since September's peak demand tends to tighten last-minute inventory. Readers tracking which designs might circulate at Cannes can also revisit Voguer's coverage of the 2026 World Superyacht Awards, held in Venice in May.
FAQ
When is the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026? September 8-13, 2026, across the Vieux Port and Port Canto in Cannes. Organisers confirmed the dates on September 15, 2025, the day after the previous edition closed. It traditionally opens Europe's September show sequence, ahead of Genoa, Southampton, and Monaco.
How many world premieres are expected in 2026? Organisers have announced an expectation of around 150 world premieres, a figure released well ahead of the show's opening. No specific models or builders have been confirmed as of this writing — only the overall projection, which, if it holds, would mark a notable jump from the 103 global or show debuts recorded in 2025.
Will Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 feature electric propulsion? Yes, organisers have already flagged electric-propulsion innovations among the expected highlights for 2026, without detailing specific models or builders yet. The theme tracks a broader trend visible at other 2026 European shows, including the Salone Nautico di Venezia, which carries a stated focus on electric, hybrid, and hydrogen propulsion.
How did the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival perform? The 48th edition, held September 9-14, 2025, drew more than 600 exhibitors and over 700 boats from 5 to 50 metres, closing with more than 55,000 visitors and 103 boats making their global or show debut. Those figures form the baseline against which the 2026 edition will eventually be measured.
Is the Cannes Yachting Festival open to the public? The 2025 edition drew more than 55,000 visitors, consistent with the show's history of public, ticketed access. Organisers have not yet published 2026 access terms, ticket pricing, or opening hours as of this report.
Where exactly are the Vieux Port and Port Canto? Both are historic Cannes waterfront venues on the French Riviera. The Vieux Port, in the city centre, traditionally hosts motor yachts; Port Canto, further east, serves as the showcase for sailing yachts, including boats displayed afloat.
What other shows follow Cannes in 2026? The Salone Nautico di Genova and the Southampton International Boat Show follow in September 2026, ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show, closing out Europe's autumn show cycle. That tight calendar is why buyers and brokers often plan a single trip to cover several shows in succession.
What does the superyacht order book look like heading into Cannes 2026? The Global Order Book 2026 counted 1,093 yachts of 24 metres or more on order or in build, with Italy accounting for 52 percent of the total and Azimut|Benetti Group leading the builder ranking for a 26th straight year. Builders including Ferretti Group also reported rising order backlogs through 2025, a demand signal consistent with the launch volume Cannes organisers are forecasting.
Charter Planning Around Cannes 2026
Owners and charter brokers preparing for Cannes week can review Mediterranean fleet availability at voguer.yachts; for boat rental inquiries in Brazil, the Voguer marketplace is at voguer.com.br.
Related reading: Cannes Yachting Festival 2025 Closes With 55,000 Visitors and 103 Debuts · Venice Boat Show 2026 · 2026 European Season: Price and Availability · Breakthrough Named Motor Yacht of the Year at the 2026 World Superyacht Awards
