Nearly 700 boats. Six days. Two harbours.
Cannes Yachting Festival opens on 8 September 2026 and runs until 13 September, spread across the Vieux Port and Port Canto. Most of the fleet, 591 boats, is new rather than brokerage, and the show traditionally opens Europe's autumn boat show season.
The range stretches from three 2.8 metre tenders, the Agilis Jettender 280, Williams Jet Turbojet 280MX and AS Tender 280 Folding Transom, to Heesen's 55 metre After You. The nearly 800GT superyacht was refitted in 2022, with Mark Berryman updating the interior and her Omega Architects exterior repainted blue. She accommodates 12 guests across six staterooms.
Motor yachts dominate the entries, split into eight categories: flybridge, cabin cruisers, dayboats and runabouts, tenders and RIBs, open launches, trawlers, motor multihulls, and electric or hybrid boats. The flybridge category is the biggest by far, with just under 200 entries. More than 120 dayboats and runabouts form the next largest group, followed by tenders, RIBs and cabin cruisers. Smaller sections cover open launches, trawlers, motor multihulls and electric or hybrid boats.
Founded in 2024 by engineer and entrepreneur Mike Frank, German yard Pioneer Yachts is completing its first boat, a solar-electric catamaran, the PY60, christened Pioneer One. Pioneer Yachts says she'll launch later in July before making her public debut at Cannes.
Of particular interest to New Zealand readers is the Deo Juvante M24, a 24 metre explorer monohull measuring 25.5 metres overall, making her world debut at the show. Twin MAN diesels, each producing 382kW, give her a combined output of around 1,000hp, with a beam of 7 metres and a draught of 1.8 metres. Kurt Wallaeys designed the interior, while her naval architecture comes from Auckland studio Lomocean.
Multihulls also dominate the sailing fleet, led by Excess, Lagoon and Leopard Catamarans, with a smaller group of performance yachts adding some racing pedigree. Other scheduled world premieres include the Axopar 38 Cross Top, Pearl 73, Amer 120, Absolute 60 Fly and Absolute 70 Fly.
Kiwi and Aussie faces at the show
Both 36° Brokers and Orakei Marine are sending teams, giving Kiwi buyers access to people who understand the local market. They can arrange appointments, discuss pricing and help visitors navigate the show. 36° Brokers has also published advice for New Zealand buyers considering the trip, and the Orakei Marine team are happy to hear from anyone planning a visit.
Three New Zealand companies will exhibit. Propspeed makes foul-release coatings, MC-ZERO builds premium electric yacht tenders, and ZeroJet produces electric jet propulsion systems.
Australian boatbuilders Riviera and Seawind will be joined by Ribco. Marine insurer Pantaenius will also exhibit.
Getting the most from the show
Cannes rewards a bit of planning.
With close to 700 boats spread across two harbours, arriving without a shortlist will waste valuable time. Decide which boats matter, book appointments early and allow enough time to move between the Vieux Port and Port Canto. Few shows offer New Zealand buyers the same opportunity to compare so much of the international market in one place.
