Save the Date: The Cannes Yachting Festival, the Inaugural Event of the World Sailing Season, Returns 8 to 13 September 2026

RX has confirmed dates for the 49th Cannes Yachting Festival, running 8 to 13 September 2026 in Cannes. The show occupies two harbours, Vieux Port and Port Canto, linked by a maritime shuttle, and covers motoryachts, sailboats, catamarans, superyachts, equipment, innovations and brokerage services for vessels from 5 to 50 metres. The 2026 edition is planned around 680 exhibitors and more than 700 boats, with roughly 150 world premieres and an expected 56,000 international visitors. Three elements are new or expanded. A new pier will carry part of the afloat yacht exhibition, adding water-based display capacity. The Innovation Route Awards return for a second edition. And for the first time the festival will host the announcement of the Best of Boat Awards 2026 finalists, on 9 September, drawing an external awards programme into the show's calendar. Festival Director Constance Brément said the mission is to offer an exceptional setting to promote innovations in the sector and to launch the season. The show's position at the start of the international boating calendar is the basis for its claim as the opening event of the world sailing season.