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The Cannes Yachting Festival returns to the French Riviera from 8th to 13th September 2026, bringing the international yachting community together across the Vieux Port and Port Canto for six days dedicated to boats, technology and the future of life at sea.
This year, innovation will take centre stage. The festival has selected 47 finalists from 120 submissions for its 2026 Innovation Route Awards, highlighting projects that are helping transform recreational boating through sustainability, performance, design and technology.
Launched in 2024, the Innovation Route has quickly become an integral part of the Cannes experience. Visitors will be able to identify the selected projects through dedicated signage while exploring the show, turning the two ports into a showcase of the ideas shaping tomorrow’s yachting industry.
Among this year’s highlights are the WHISPER 52, a fully electro-solar catamaran; Weenav’s KRONOS Plug & Play system with a 97% recyclable battery; the SKAW A family foiling sailboat; and the MIRAVA Smart Boat featuring Hydroglide technology. Innovations also extend to smart mooring, propulsion, water purification and marine biodiversity.
“The role of the Cannes Yachting Festival is to enhance the appeal of boating and inspire our visitors,” says Festival Director Constance Brément, pointing to the industry’s growing commitment to responsible boating without sacrificing performance or enjoyment.
The winners across four categories, together with a Special Jury Prize, will be revealed during the opening-night Exhibitor Cocktail on 8th September.
More than an exhibition, Cannes Yachting Festival has become a meeting point for the entire international nautical ecosystem. Against the glamorous backdrop of Cannes, the 2026 edition promises to demonstrate how luxury yachting is evolving—becoming cleaner, smarter and increasingly connected while preserving the pleasure and sophistication that continue to define the industry.