From 8 to 13 September 2026, Cannes will once again become one of the key meeting points for the international yachting industry.
Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 will take place across two harbours Vieux Port and Port Canto bringing together motor yachts, sailing yachts, new launches, brokerage vessels, equipment, technology and leading market players.
There is one mistake visitors often make in the first hour: trying to see everything.
The show is too large for that approach, and access aboard certain yachts requires prior arrangement. If you are travelling to Cannes for specific models, considering a yacht purchase, or simply want to use your time efficiently, it is better to define your priorities before arriving.
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Cannes Yachting Festival 2026: dates and opening hours
In 2026, the show runs for six days:
- Tuesday 8 September: 10:00–19:00
- Wednesday 9 September: 10:00–19:00
- Thursday 10 September: 10:00–19:00
- Friday 11 September: 10:00–22:00
- Saturday 12 September: 10:00–19:00
- Sunday 13 September: 10:00–18:00
Friday is the only late-opening day, which makes it a good option for visitors who want to experience the show at a more relaxed pace into the evening. On Sunday, the festival closes earlier, at 18:00.
Tickets are sold through the official Cannes Yachting Festival online ticketing platform. Admission categories, prices and access conditions should be checked directly with the organiser before travelling.
Vieux Port and Port Canto: what to see where
Cannes Yachting Festival is, in practice, two different exhibitions.
Vieux Port is the main area for motor yachts, new models, leading shipyards, equipment and marine technology.
Port Canto is focused mainly on sailing yachts, brokerage yachts and motor boats up to 12 metres. It includes the Sailing Area, Power Boat Marina and Brokers & Toys Area.
Free sea shuttles operate between the two ports for visitors holding valid tickets. If you know in advance which segment interests you most, you can save several hours and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth movement.
Can you board any yacht?
Not always.
An admission ticket gives access to the festival site, but it does not guarantee access aboard every yacht. Boarding is organised by each exhibitor.
If you want to inspect a specific model or meet a representative of a particular shipyard, it is better to arrange this in advance. The same applies to sea trials: selected exhibitors offer sea trials by appointment.
If you are choosing a yacht to buy
For a future owner, the main advantage of Cannes Yachting Festival is the ability to compare several yachts quickly in one place.
Photography and technical specifications are useful, but only an onboard visit shows:
- how practical the layout really is;
- how movement between areas is organised;
- whether the deck spaces feel generous enough;
- whether the yacht suits your intended use;
- how clearly competing models differ in person.
It is therefore far more effective to arrive with a shortlist of yachts than to try to view dozens of unrelated options.
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Chartering a yacht during your stay in Cannes
If you want to continue the yachting experience on the water after Cannes Yachting Festival, choosing the right charter yacht should begin with your programme rather than the brand or length of the yacht.
Dates, number of guests, departure port, charter duration, cabin requirements, itinerary and budget all influence the selection.
Yacht ServiceAzur assists with yacht selection and charter organisation on the French Riviera and can propose options according to your dates and plans.
What to remember before travelling
Do not try to see the entire Cannes Yachting Festival.
Define your priorities, divide your visit between Vieux Port and Port Canto, arrange access to the most important yachts in advance and leave enough time between meetings.
Before travelling, check the latest information on tickets, exhibitors and the programme on the official Cannes Yachting Festival website.
And if the exhibition pontoons make you want to see yachts in their natural environment, the French Riviera is best continued from the water.
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Planning to charter a yacht while you are in Cannes?
Let us know your dates, number of guests and preferred itinerary, and our team will suggest suitable yachts available on the French Riviera.
