Two weeks after Cannes, the nautical calendar sees a second event, very different in nature and ambition.
From September 23 to 26, 2026, Port Hercule will host the 35th edition of the Monaco Yacht Show. Around 120 superyachts will be moored along the Monégasque docks, including 43 units delivered this year—a particularly interesting concentration for taking the pulse of current production. The fleet ranges from the 23.98-meter Arcadia A80 to the 102-meter Lürssen Nixie, with over 560 exhibitors covering the entire ecosystem: shipyards, designers, brokers, equipment manufacturers, and services.
It is at this scale that Monaco is played out.
What Monaco is not
Before going any further, we must be clear about the nature of the exhibition.
Monaco is not made for discovering a 35-foot dayboat. It is not the place to compare two walkarounds or evaluate outboard engines. The boats on display measure between 24 and 102 meters. Budgets begin where most other boat shows end.
Which doesn't mean that the Monaco Yacht Show is only of interest to superyacht buyers.
Monaco is useful to anyone who wants to understand where the market as a whole is heading, the materials that are emerging, the prevailing design philosophies, and the onboard technologies that are gaining ground. Part of what we observe today in Monaco often ends up finding its way, a few years later, onto more accessible yachts.
It is this anticipatory reading that makes the show precious even for those who will never buy an 80-meter yacht.
Cannes Yachting Festival or Monaco Yacht Show: two boat shows, two markets
The proximity in the calendar sometimes creates confusion about the role of each event. In reality, the two trade shows do not target the same market.
Cannes offers a very broad spectrum: boats from 5 to 55 meters, production and semi-custom new builds, sailing yachts, motor yachts, brokerage, and visitors of all profiles. This is where first impressions are formed, projects take shape, and the direction of shipyards for the upcoming season is discovered.
Monaco is focusing its attention on the superyacht and the entire ecosystem that accompanies it: shipyards, designers, specialized brokers, construction services, refit, charter, and management. Visitors are rarer, more targeted, and often already owners or in an advanced stage of consideration.
The two trade shows complement each other more than they compete. But they are not read in the same way.
Discover our selection of new yachts from the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival →
Three yachts, three market interpretations
Rather than a list of the models present, here are three units that each illustrate a distinct trend in current production.
Nixie – Lürssen, 102 meters: how far custom design goes today
Nixie is one of the most anticipated boats of this edition. At 102 meters, this Lürssen illustrates what custom shipbuilding can produce when the order, the yard, and the deadlines align perfectly. Construction slots at major yards like Lürssen are currently booked through 2028 and 2029—making Nixie the product of a decision made several years ago, and its delivery in 2026 says something about the owners' long-term confidence in the market.
Riva 54 Metri – when a historic brand changes scale
The Riva 54 Metri represents an important milestone in the evolution of the Italian brand. Riva is one of the few boatbuilders whose name immediately evokes a specific aesthetic, a culture, and a particular Mediterranean. A new flagship model at this size is not just a new boat—it is a statement about what the brand thinks its clients will want in the coming years.
Singolare – Tankoa, 45 meters: the Italian semi-custom at the heart of the market
At 45 meters, Singolare is in the heart of the densest bracket of the fleet presented this year in Monaco: 40 to 60 meters. This is a particularly interesting segment, sitting at the intersection of semi-custom construction, private use, and chartering. The owner gains access to true superyacht volumes and a high level of customization, while remaining in a range where several Italian shipyards have developed proven platforms that combine personalization with control over the construction process.
What this edition says about the market
Three observations emerge from the programming of this edition.
Design is gaining visibility in the exhibition route
In 2026, the Monaco Yacht Show is launching the Designer Gallery, succeeding the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub. This new showcase places designers and their concepts directly at the heart of the visitor experience, on a continuous platform rather than on the fringes of the exhibition. This is a sign of the growing place of design in the conversation surrounding the superyacht, which is less technical and more cultural.
Sustainability is becoming more visible and more structured
The Blue Wake program is returning in 2026 with a selection of solutions evaluated by the Water Revolution Foundation according to defined criteria. Construction and refit, equipment manufacturers, services, charters, and even tenders: the program now covers several components of the superyacht ecosystem. This is a notable evolution compared to the program's early editions, where sustainability remained limited to a few isolated exhibitors.
The nature of a project presentation is changing
Among the 2026 new features are the MYS Immersive Experience by VBH, which uses interactive 3D technology to bring virtual yacht projects to life, and SENSE by VBH, an exploration of the sensory dimensions of life on board through sound, light, and scent. Above all, these additions show that presenting a project is no longer solely about plans, renderings, and models: shipyards and designers now seek to convey the experience of the future yacht even before its construction.
Practical information
The Monaco Yacht Show 2026 takes place from Wednesday, September 23 to Saturday, September 26, from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM Wednesday through Friday, and from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday.
An important point to consider before planning your visit: on Wednesday, a specific Visitor Pass is available for €400 including tax, but it does not grant access to the Dockside Area where the superyachts are moored. For visitors wishing to access this area with a standard Visitor Pass, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday should therefore be preferred. The one-day Visitor Pass for days other than Wednesday is priced at €700 including tax.
For serious projects, some boats can only be visited by prior appointment. Identify in advance the 4 to 5 units that genuinely interest you and get in touch with the relevant shipyards or brokers before the show. Thursday and Friday remain the best days for a smooth visit; the pontoons are accessible and the shipyard teams are more available than on Saturday, which is traditionally busier.
At Clapi Boats at the Monaco Yacht Show
Our team will be present during the trade show to monitor market trends, discover new products, and share our observations on the most remarkable units of this edition.
Monaco is also an important event for developing our network, following up on the projects of our owner clients, and interacting with the shipyards, brokers, designers, and professionals in attendance.
If you would like to meet us on-site, discuss a purchase, rental, or management project, contact us before the show to set up an appointment. We can also guide you toward the models or exhibitors most relevant to your program.
A trade show that speaks to the entire industry
More than just a superyacht showcase, Monaco acts each year as a precise barometer of the state of the global high-end boating market. The 43 2026 deliveries present on the pontoons bear witness to an exceptional concentration of new yachts, and the construction slots booked through 2028-2029 at major shipyards say something about owners' long-term confidence.
The models on display, the trends emerging from them, and the decisions being made there directly influence what will be built in the coming years, including in segments much more accessible than the 100-meter.
Whether you are planning a short-term project or simply want to understand where the market is heading, this 35th edition deserves attention.
Are you planning to come to the Monaco Yacht Show 2026?
Let's meet on-site to discuss your project and the yachts you are interested in.
FAQ – Monaco Yacht Show 2026
When is the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 held?
From Wednesday, September 23 to Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Port Hercule, Monaco. Opening hours: 10 AM to 6:30 PM Wednesday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturday.
What is the difference between the Monaco Yacht Show and the Cannes Yachting Festival?
Cannes covers all segments from 5 to 55 meters with an approach open to all profiles. Monaco is exclusively dedicated to superyachts of 24 meters and above, featuring an ecosystem of shipyards, designers, brokers, and specialized services.
Is the Monaco Yacht Show open to the public?
Yes, but access is subject to a fee and must be booked in advance. On Wednesday, a specific Visitor Pass for €400 including tax is available but does not grant access to the Dockside Area where the superyachts are moored. From Thursday to Saturday, the Visitor Pass for €700 including tax grants access to all areas.
What boats can be seen at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026?
Approximately 120 superyachts from 24 to 102 meters, including 43 units delivered in 2026. Among the announced models: Nixie by Lürssen (102 m), Riva 54 Metri, Silver Fox by Sanlorenzo, Pangea by Damen Yachting, and Singolare by Tankoa.
What is the best time to visit the exhibition?
Thursday and Friday are the smoothest days. Wednesday is more focused on private and VIP clients, and the standard Visitor Pass does not grant access to the Dockside Area.
Can we meet Clapi Boats during the Monaco Yacht Show?
Yes. Contact us before the exhibition to arrange an on-site meeting.
