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Autumn on the water, yachting events in September and October 2026

From Cannes and Monaco to Genoa, Barcelona and Fort Lauderdale, the international yachting events to follow in September and October 2026

Boat shows, major regattas, superyachts and new technology make September and October two of the busiest months in the international yachting calendar

September and October bring a different rhythm to the international yachting calendar. The Mediterranean summer is not quite over, yet ports and marinas begin to become meeting points for shipyards, owners, designers, professionals and enthusiasts. New yachts arrive on the water, major fleets return to racing and some of the world’s best-known nautical destinations become temporary observatories for the evolution of the industry.

The 2026 calendar runs through France, Italy, Spain, Monaco, the United Kingdom, Malta and Albania, while also reaching the United States and Africa. It is therefore more than a succession of boat shows and races: it offers a snapshot of an increasingly international yachting world.

September begins with speed in Valencia

The Spain Sail Grand Prix arrives in Valencia on 5–6 September, marking the city’s debut in the Rolex SailGP Championship and bringing the foiling F50 catamarans to its waterfront.

SailGP

Porto Cervo welcomes the maxi yachts

From 6–12 September, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup returns to Porto Cervo with an international fleet of maxi yachts and multihulls. Organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the International Maxi Association, it remains one of the Mediterranean’s defining big-yacht racing events.

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

Cannes opens the major European boat-show season

From 8–13 September, the Cannes Yachting Festival spreads across Vieux Port and Port Canto, bringing together motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans, tenders and new models from international shipyards.

Cannes Yachting Festival

Electric racing reaches Luanda

On 12–13 September, Luanda hosts a round of the UIM E1 World Championship, bringing the all-electric RaceBird championship to the Angolan capital.

UIM E1 World Championship

The Swan fleet returns to the Costa Smeralda

From 13–19 September, the Rolex Swan Cup returns to Porto Cervo. The 2026 edition also coincides with Nautor Swan’s 60th anniversary, bringing an additional heritage dimension to the event.

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

Superyachts under sail in Ibiza

From 17–20 September, Ibiza JoySail gathers an international fleet of sailing superyachts in the Balearics, combining competitive sailing with the distinctive atmosphere of Ibiza.

Ibiza JoySail

Istanbul, racing between two continents

From 17–19 September, the Bosphorus Cup celebrates its 25th edition, with the Bosphorus providing one of international sailing’s most unusual urban racecourses.

Bosphorus Cup

Southampton and British boating culture

From 18–27 September, the Southampton International Boat Show returns to Mayflower Park with boats, equipment, watersports and on-water activities.

Southampton International Boat Show

Monaco looks at the marina of the future

On 20–21 September, the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous brings developers, architects, investors and technology specialists together at the Yacht Club de Monaco to discuss the future of marina infrastructure.

Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous

Ibiza goes racing again

From 21–24 September, according to the organiser’s current official calendar, Ibiza Regatta offers four days of racing in the Balearic Islands.

Ibiza Regatta

La Rochelle and Atlantic boating

From 22–27 September, Grand Pavois La Rochelle combines an in-water exhibition, shoreside displays and a broad programme dedicated to boating and maritime culture.

Grand Pavois La Rochelle

Monaco becomes the centre of the superyacht world

From 23–26 September, Port Hercule hosts the Monaco Yacht Show. Its 35th edition once again concentrates on superyachts, shipyards, designers, brokers and specialist suppliers.

Monaco Yacht Show

Saint-Tropez closes September under sail

From 26 September–4 October, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez brings classic yachts, modern racers and maxi yachts together on the same Mediterranean waters.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

October begins in Genoa

From 1–6 October, the Genoa International Boat Show returns for its 66th edition, covering yachts and superyachts, sailing, multihulls, RIBs, equipment and marine technology.

Genoa International Boat Show

E1 returns to Lagos

On 3–4 October, the E1 Lagos GP brings electric RaceBird racing back to the Nigerian waterfront.

UIM E1 World Championship

Valencia decides the TP52 season

From 5–10 October, the 52 SUPER SERIES Valencia Sailing Week hosts the final event of the 2026 season.

52 SUPER SERIES Valencia Sailing Week

Tampa looks beneath the surface of boatbuilding

From 6–8 October, IBEX returns to the Tampa Convention Center with its professional focus on boatbuilding, equipment, materials, technology and manufacturing.

IBEX

Barcelona expands its relationship with the sea

From 14–18 October, the Barcelona International Boat Show returns to Port Vell with more than 130 boats expected on the water and new areas covering marinas, diving, watersports and sea trials.

Barcelona International Boat Show

Annapolis remains devoted to sailing

From 15–18 October, the Annapolis Sailboat Show once again transforms City Dock into a major in-water sailing exhibition.

Annapolis Sailboat Show

Albania builds its place on the nautical map

From 16–18 October, Marina Orikum hosts the second Balkans Sea Fair, bringing the nautical industry, marina sector and regional investment opportunities together in Albania.

Balkans Sea Fair

Malta and one of the Mediterranean’s great offshore challenges

The 47th Rolex Middle Sea Race starts on 17 October, sending the fleet from Malta around Sicily on one of the Mediterranean’s most recognisable offshore courses.

Rolex Middle Sea Race

Cape Town looks towards Africa’s blue economy

On 20–21 October, the African Boating Conference returns to Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront with discussions covering marinas, boatbuilding, skills, marine tourism, technology and superyachts.

African Boating Conference

Fort Lauderdale closes October on a different scale

From 28 October–1 November, the 67th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show spreads across several marinas and exhibition areas in Florida, remaining a key event for the North American yacht and superyacht market.

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

Two months that tell a much broader story

September and October show how broad the meaning of contemporary yachting has become. Some events focus on yachts and the market, others on racing, infrastructure, sustainability, technology or the emerging potential of new boating regions.

The Mediterranean remains the centre of gravity for much of this calendar, but today’s yachting routes increasingly connect Europe, Africa and the Americas. These events are therefore not only places to see boats, but opportunities to understand how the relationship between people, technology and the sea is changing.

20 August 2026
© MED Yachting Editorial Team
Autumn on the water, yachting events in September and October 2026
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