Cannes Yachting Festival 2028

Held across two waterfront locations, the Cannes Yachting Festival combines in-water yacht displays with dedicated exhibition areas covering motor yachts, sailing yachts, brokerage, tenders, nautical equipment, and marine technology.

The festival also provides opportunities to step aboard selected yachts, arrange sea trials, and explore developments across the wider leisure boating industry.

• Location: Vieux Port & Port Canto, Cannes, France
• Dates: September 2028 (Exact dates to be announced.)
• Event type: Public international yacht show
• Audience: Yacht buyers, charter clients, industry professionals, boating enthusiasts
• Yacht focus: Motor yachts, sailing yachts, multihulls, brokerage yachts, tenders, and superyachts
• Known for: Yacht premieres, sea trials, dual-marina exhibition, and marine innovation
• Ideal for: Exploring yacht options and planning Mediterranean yacht charters

The Cannes Yachting Festival brings an impressive fleet to the Côte d'Azur, spanning production boats, sailing yacht charters, multihulls, motor yachts, and larger yachts. The official festival format includes more than 700 boats across the two locations, with participating models ranging from 5 to 55 meters.

Visitors can move between yacht displays, exhibition stands, and specialist areas while meeting yacht builders, designers, brokers, charter companies, and marine equipment manufacturers. Selected yachts are also available for tours and sea trials, providing an opportunity to examine different layouts, onboard technology, construction approaches, and cruising capabilities in person.

In addition to the display of superyachts and yacht rentals, the Cannes Yachting Festival also places emphasis on developments within the wider boating industry, including propulsion, onboard technology, equipment, sustainability, and yacht design.

The Innovation Route provides a dedicated way to explore exhibitors selected for developments in areas including sustainable products, navigation equipment, innovative vessels, and corporate social responsibility.

Divided between Vieux Port and Port Canto, the two harbors host distinct areas of the exhibition and are connected by the festival's complimentary visitor transport network.

Vieux Port – Located alongside the Palais des Festivals and the Croisette, Vieux Port houses the main motor yacht and France charter yacht displays together with exhibition areas, marine equipment, services, and other boating-related products.

Port Canto – Across the bay, Port Canto is home to the sailing area, brokerage yachts, motorboats up to 12 meters, and the Tenders & Toys area, giving visitors a different perspective on the wider leisure boating market.

The two-site format allows visitors to move between different areas of the industry while taking in views across the Bay of Cannes and the Croisette.

Vieux Port provides the main setting for the festival's showcase of Mediterranean yacht charters (plus brokerage yachts in Port Canto), with established shipyards and yacht brands exhibiting new models and recently introduced designs.

The current exhibitor program includes major motor yacht manufacturers like Azimut, Sanlorenzo, and Sunseeker, with many more regular brands expected to return to the pontoons.

Like all good boat shows, the Cannes Yachting Festival extends beyond the yacht displays, with exhibitors covering nautical equipment, marine services, boating technology, luxury products, and other aspects of the leisure marine sector.

The current festival format also includes the Innovation Route, which highlights developments in sustainability, propulsion, technology, services, and onboard experiences.

The Luxury Gallery provides the perfect platform for obtaining exclusive merchandise throughout the show, while Port Canto's Tenders & Toys area provides another focus, showcasing smaller craft and equipment designed to complement larger yachts. 

The dedicated sailing area brings together a range of sailing yachts and multihulls for those who enjoy the experience of being at sea under sail.

VIP visitors can also access dedicated hospitality facilities and services through the festival's VIP program, with a host of benefits all in place for a heightened show experience.

The dates and opening hours for the 2028 Cannes Yachting Festival have not yet been officially announced.

The show traditionally takes place in early September.

Ticket categories and access arrangements for the 2028 Cannes Yachting Festival have not yet been released.

The ticket options typically available for the Cannes Yachting Festival include:

• Public Tickets – Single and multi-day admission passes are available for individuals and families.
• VIP Tickets – Available in Comfort, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, including VIP lounges, concierge services, courtesy cars, dedicated entrances, and water shuttle transfers between Vieux Port and Port Canto.
• VIP Sea Access (Vieux Port) – Designed for guests arriving by charter yacht or tender, combining direct marina access with premium VIP hospitality.
• Professional Tickets – Intended for marine industry professionals attending business meetings, networking events, and exhibitor appointments.

Cannes provides a natural starting point for a French Riviera yacht charter, combining an established yachting infrastructure with easy access to the coastline and nearby islands.

A yacht charter from Cannes can incorporate destinations such as Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and the Lérins Islands, depending on the duration and cruising preferences of the itinerary.

The city also offers a wide choice of beaches, restaurants, beach clubs, cultural attractions, and waterfront experiences, while the surrounding French Riviera provides further opportunities for swimming, watersports, dining, and exploring coastal towns.

Can visitors arrange yacht sea trials at the festival?

Sea trials are available on selected yachts and are arranged through individual exhibitors, with availability depending on the yacht, manufacturer, and schedule. Visitors interested in a particular model or motor yacht charter should contact the relevant exhibitor before or during the festival to establish whether a sea trial can be arranged.

Yes. Alongside its extensive yacht displays, the festival includes brokerage and charter exhibitors, giving prospective charter guests an opportunity to compare yachts and speak directly with industry professionals. The event can also be incorporated into a wider French Riviera yacht charter itinerary.

Vieux Port is focused primarily on motor yachts and the festival's main exhibition areas, while Port Canto hosts sailing yachts, brokerage yachts, smaller motor boats, and the Tenders & Toys area. Visitors can explore both locations as part of the same festival experience.

A visit to the Cannes Yachting Festival can be combined with a French Riviera yacht charter, allowing guests to experience the show before continuing along the coast. A yacht charter broker can help identify suitable yachts, arrange private viewings or meetings during the festival where available, and build an itinerary around Cannes and the wider French Riviera.

Stop reading and start planning. Speak to a yacht charter broker today.