Europe’s leading in-water boat show returns to Cannes from 8–13 September with more than 700 yachts, 150 world premieres, and a renewed vision for the future of luxury yachting. The World Luxury Chamber of Commerce (WLCC) is proud to be an official media partner of the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026.
Now in its 49th edition, the Festival continues to strengthen its position as Europe’s largest in-water boat show and one of the industry’s most influential international events. More than 700 boats ranging from 5 to 50 metres, over 680 exhibitors, approximately 150 world premieres, and around 56,000 international visitors are expected across six days on the Côte d’Azur.
A New Chapter Under New Leadership
The 2026 edition marks the first Festival under the leadership of Constance Brément, whose background in both the nautical and luxury sectors brings a fresh perspective while building on nearly five decades of excellence.
Her vision is to further enhance the Festival’s international profile, elevate the visitor experience, and reinforce its identity as a true celebration of yachting and innovation. As highlighted in the official announcement, the Festival remains committed to providing an exceptional platform for showcasing industry innovation while serving as a strategic driver for the global marine sector.
Two Iconic Ports, One Exceptional Experience
The Cannes Yachting Festival unfolds across two complementary locations, each offering a distinct experience.
The Vieux Port showcases motor yachts from 12 to 50 metres, superyachts, luxury tenders, motor catamarans, equipment manufacturers, and premium marine services. Visitors will also discover enhancements to the new jetty and a redesigned exhibition layout for 2026.
Meanwhile, Port Canto presents the world’s largest in-water display of sailing yachts over 10 metres, alongside the Power Boat Marina, Yacht Brokerage area, and the popular Toys exhibition. A continuous 2.5-kilometre visitor route and frequent sea shuttles connect both ports, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience throughout the Festival.
Innovation at the Heart of the Industry
Beyond showcasing extraordinary yachts, the Cannes Yachting Festival continues to highlight the future of the marine industry.
Through its Innovation Route, visitors can discover groundbreaking technologies and sustainable solutions selected by an international jury. The initiative celebrates advances in navigation, environmental responsibility, product innovation, and corporate sustainability, reflecting the industry’s growing focus on cleaner technologies and smarter boating experiences. The second edition of the Innovation Route Awards will once again recognise the sector’s most outstanding innovations.
The Festival will also host the announcement of the finalists for the Best of Boats Awards 2026, one of Europe’s most prestigious awards dedicated to motorboats, further reinforcing Cannes’ role as a launchpad for innovation and excellence.
Where Luxury Meets Business
For the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce community, the Cannes Yachting Festival represents far more than an exhibition of exceptional vessels.
It is where luxury craftsmanship, engineering excellence, entrepreneurship, investment, and international networking converge. Over six days, industry leaders, shipyards, designers, technology innovators, family offices, brokers, and high-net-worth individuals come together to shape the future of global yachting.
As the opening event of the international boating calendar, the Festival provides an unrivalled opportunity to discover the latest launches, build strategic relationships, and gain first-hand insight into the trends defining the next generation of luxury experiences at sea.
A limited number of complimentary Excellence Passes are available exclusively for WLCC members. Explore the WLCC Events Calendar to learn more and claim your pass: https://worldluxurychamber.com/events/cannes-yachting-festival/
