Quick Facts: Cannes Yachting Festival 2026
| Dates | September 8–13, 2026 |
| Edition | 49th |
| Venues | Vieux Port (Cannes' old port) and Port Canto (eastern end of La Croisette) |
| Boats on display | 700+, ranging from 5 to 55 metres |
| Exhibitors | 680+ |
| World premieres | Around 150 |
| Expected visitors | 56,000+ international attendees |
| Organizer | RX, on behalf of the Fédération des Industries Nautiques (FIN) |
A Brief History of the Show
The Cannes Yachting Festival has run every September since 1977, making it one of the longest-running yacht shows in the world and the show most credited with launching the modern in-water format — visitors board the boats directly from the dock rather than viewing them hauled out on land. Over nearly five decades it has grown from a regional French boat show into the industry's first major stop of the yachting calendar, timed deliberately to precede the Monaco Yacht Show two weeks later and give shipyards a stage for their September world premieres.
Where to Go: Vieux Port vs. Port Canto
The festival is split across two waterfront venues connected by a shuttle boat running every 15 minutes along La Croisette.
Vieux Port — billed as "the Home of Power." Located at the foot of Le Suquet in central Cannes, it's where the flybridge motor yachts, large power cruisers, motor catamarans, and the bulk of the superyacht-adjacent world premieres are berthed.
Port Canto — "the World of Sailing & Lifestyle," at the eastern end of the Croisette. It hosts sailing yachts (120+ new models over 10 metres), dayboats and RIBs (180+ vessels up to around 13 metres), and the yacht brokerage section, where 45+ pre-owned yachts over 25 metres are displayed for resale.
Planning tip
Serious buyers typically plan two full days: one at each venue, plus a half-day held in reserve for sea trials, which shipyards schedule by appointment throughout the week.
What's New for 2026
Beyond the sheer volume of premieres, three trends define this year's show:
Hybrid and electric propulsion is now mainstream rather than experimental.
Flagship launches from Azimut, Prestige, and Fountaine Pajot all feature hybrid or zero-emission "hotel mode" systems, while smaller builders like Pioneer Yachts are showing dedicated solar-electric platforms.
The "pocket superyacht" segment keeps expanding.
Semi-custom yards like Sirena, Numarine, and Bluegame are pushing further into the 25–36 metre range that used to belong exclusively to full-custom builders.
Indoor-outdoor living dominates design language across nearly every size class.
Terrace-style cockpits, fold-down beach platforms, and step-free flybridges are appearing on everything from 47-foot dayboats to 44-metre flagships.
Top 10 Must-See Yachts at Cannes 2026
These are the ten vessels generating the most pre-show buzz — a mix of world-premiere superyachts, category flagships, and headline-grabbing debuts, weighted toward the yachts most relevant to serious buyers and brokers.
Sirena 118 (36m) — Sirena Yachts
World PremiereThe largest yacht Sirena has ever built, and arguably the show's headline debut. A semi-custom "pocket superyacht" with a long-range hull and a spacious layout designed for extended cruising, it signals the Turkish yard's move firmly into true superyacht territory.
Azimut Grande 44M (43.6m) — Azimut Yachts
World PremiereThe largest vessel on this list and one of the biggest world premieres of the week. Exterior lines by Alberto Mancini, interiors by m2atelier, and a Hybrid Plus system with a Zero Emission Hotel Mode make this Azimut's most technically ambitious Grande to date.
Sunseeker Manhattan 94 (28.6m) — Sunseeker
Flagship DebutThe new flagship of Sunseeker's Manhattan range, with the first hull already launched and undergoing sea trials ahead of Cannes. Expect strong interest from buyers who've been waiting for the British yard's next true flagship.
Riva 96' Argo Super (29.3m) — Riva
New ModelAn evolution of one of Riva's most successful modern flagships, now with twin MTU 2000hp engines, a redesigned outdoor layout, and updated technology throughout. Riva's stand is a near-guaranteed crowd magnet every year, and the Argo Super is the reason why in 2026.
Pershing GTX90 (approx. 28m) — Pershing
New ModelA Sport Utility Yacht built around a flybridge that's 43% larger than the outgoing model, aimed at owners who want Pershing's signature performance without sacrificing outdoor social space.
Sunreef ULTIMA 88 (26.8m) — Sunreef Yachts
Flagship DebutThe flagship of Sunreef's ULTIMA catamaran range, hybrid-ready and already claimed as the first yacht of Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz — a debut with as much cultural cachet as engineering ambition, and a useful conversation-starter for charter clients new to multihulls.
Bluegame BGX83 (25.3m) — Bluegame
New ModelSanlorenzo-backed Bluegame's first genuine entry into the superyacht size bracket, extending the crossover "open" design language that made the smaller BGX models a runaway success.
Sanlorenzo SHE (25.5m) — Sanlorenzo
World PremiereThe debut of Sanlorenzo's new Heritage line, drawing on 1960s motor yacht styling reimagined with contemporary systems and finishing. What began as a one-off custom project has evolved into a limited-production model — worth seeing for the design story alone.
Grand Soleil Plus 80 (approx. 24m) — Grand Soleil / Cantiere del Pardo
Flagship DebutThe flagship of the new Plus range and a genuine bridge between high-performance sailing yachts and semi-custom sailing superyachts, with real offshore cruising range. A key stop for anyone tracking where large-sail is headed.
Pardo GT65 (65ft / approx. 20m) — Pardo Yachts
New ModelThe newest and largest Gran Turismo model from Pardo, blending an open walkaround deck with genuine cruising protection — fold-down beach terraces included. It completes Pardo's GT range and shows how far the "day boat" category has grown.
Planning Your Visit
Tickets and accreditation are managed through the official festival site, with day passes and multi-day options available; brokerage and press credentials should be requested well in advance, as sea trial slots on the headline yachts above fill quickly once the show opens. Cannes' airport transfer hub is Nice Côte d'Azur (30–40 minutes by car), and hotel availability in Cannes itself tightens considerably in the weeks before the show — booking early is worth the effort for anyone planning to attend both venues properly.
See Any of These Yachts Privately with Biagio Yachts
Biagio Yachts is a boutique brokerage serving Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, built around private, unhurried service for owners buying and selling in the 60'–140' range — plus premium day boats. We've closed more than $40 million in sales and are an IYBA member, and unlike a dockside builder rep, we work for you, not for the seller.
Looking to add one of this year's Cannes debuts to your own fleet, or explore brokerage listings from the show? Our team can arrange private viewings and sea trials for serious buyers — get in touch to plan your visit. Yachting is not just ownership — it's a lifestyle of elegance and freedom. Let's make sure the boat you choose actually delivers it.
FAQ: Cannes Yachting Festival 2026
When is the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026?
September 8–13, 2026, at the Vieux Port and Port Canto in Cannes, France.
How many yachts are on display at Cannes 2026?
More than 700 boats, ranging from 5 to 55 metres, across roughly 680 exhibitors.
What's the difference between Vieux Port and Port Canto?
Vieux Port focuses on motor yachts, flybridge cruisers, and large power vessels ("the Home of Power"). Port Canto focuses on sailing yachts, dayboats, and the pre-owned brokerage fleet ("the World of Sailing & Lifestyle"). A free shuttle connects the two roughly every 15 minutes.
Is Cannes Yachting Festival open to the public?
Yes — unlike some trade-only shows, Cannes sells public tickets alongside trade and brokerage accreditation, though sea trials and private viewings on flagship yachts are generally by appointment.
How does Cannes compare to the Monaco Yacht Show?
Cannes is broader and higher-volume — more boats, more builders, more accessible price points — and runs about two weeks before Monaco, which is smaller, invitation-weighted, and focused almost exclusively on the largest superyachts.
Planning Your Cannes 2026 Purchase
Biagio Yachts is a Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach-based luxury yacht brokerage specializing in private acquisition, sales, and financing for vessels 60'–140' and premium day boats. IYBA member. Whether you're shortlisting debuts at the show or ready to move on a specific yacht, we'll help you compare, negotiate, and close on your terms — not the seller's.