Two ports, four awards and a selection of the industry’s most remarkable innovations - 8 to 13 September 2026, Cannes

For its 49th edition, the Cannes Yachting Festival is bringing back the Innovation Route and launching the 2nd edition of its Innovation Route Awards. This setup identifies and highlights the most innovative and sustainable solutions exhibitors are presenting, thanks to a dedicated route through the Vieux Port and Port Canto. It is open to all exhibitors and rewards the most outstanding projects in the industry.

REINVENTING THE OFFER

The sector is undergoing major transformation, driven by electrification, emission reduction and the 
search for new uses, meaning innovation is becoming a key strategic priority for all those in the boating industry. Yachting remains a dynamic leisure activity, with a solid base of boating enthusiasts. Nearly 90,000 licences are issued each year in France*, with new ways of boating growing fast, such as boat clubs. At the same time, breakthrough technologies, particularly in the field of electric and hybrid engines, are opening new opportunities for manufacturers and recreational boaters alike. Boats with electric motors are still rather marginal today (less than 8%* of the world market), yet they are one of the main drivers of growth and innovation for the sector.

Considering these developments, the Cannes Yachting Festival is reinforcing its commitment to more
innovative, sustainable and accessible boating through the Innovation Route and its Awards.

THE INNOVATION ROUTE:A ROUTE AND TROPHIES AT THE CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL

The Cannes Yachting Festival is the inaugural event of the global yachting season and Europe’s leading in-water boat show, bringing together more than 680 exhibitors each year (boat builders, equipment manufacturers, engine manufacturers, brokers, toys, marinas, service and fit-out companies), a fleet of 700 boats from 5 to 50 metres long (sailing, motor, monohull, multihull, rigid or semi-rigid hull, new or pre-owned, yachts, dayboats, and so on), nearly 150 world premieres in water and many ashore.

Beyond the prestige and richness of the offer, the Cannes Yachting Festival positions itself as an  international platform for the expertise of boat builders and equipment manufacturers from all over the world, in a sector where the energy transition is picking up speed and where the need for simplicity is a major factor in attracting new boating enthusiasts.

The Innovation Route identifies and highlights the most innovative and committed solutions, contributing to the attractiveness and sustainable transformation of the nautical industry. Selected exhibitors will benefit from increased visibility before, during and after the Festival, thanks to dedicated digital communication, and specific signage in the Vieux Port and Port Canto. This 360° setup really accelerates global visibility, allowing the show’s 56,000 visitors to easily identify and compare these innovations throughout their journey.

©Cannes Yachting Festival 

The Innovation Route Awards will recognise the most outstanding projects from those entered, in four categories:

• The best navigation-improving equipment
• The best sustainable product
• The best innovative boat
• The best CSR initiative

A jury of professionals and international journalists will choose the winners, who will be announced on Tuesday 8 September 2026 at the Exhibitors Cocktail Reception. A special jury's choice prize can also be awarded.

The 2026 jury:
• Guillaume Arnaud des Lyons-Deputy General Delegate of the FIN
• Thierry Berest- Maritime expert, Boat & Sea Consulting
• Rachel Goult (newmember) - Managing Director of Yacht Carbon Offset
• Jean-Christophe Guillaumin- Journalist, Figaro Nautisme
• Geoffroy Langlade- Journalist and entrepreneur
• Elena Patriarca- Director of Adzurra S.r.l.

"Sustainable innovation is no longer an option, it is the future of our sector. I'm joining this jury to assess concrete solutions that address climate challenges while preserving yachting excellence." Rachel Goult, Managing Director of Yacht Carbon Offset.  

"With the Innovation Route, the Cannes Yachting Festival showcases the innovations shaping the boating industry of tomorrow. This programme guides visitors as they discover new solutions in the
sector and offers enhanced visibility to exhibitors committed to this transformation. Beyond its role
as a showcase for the French and international boating industry, the Cannes Yachting Festival
demonstrates its commitment to the sustainable transition of the sector. Our exhibitors can enter
until 17 July– free of charge–, and I highly encourage them to submit their entries," stresses
Constance Brément, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival.

A LOOK BACK AT THE SUCCESS OF THE 2025 EDITION AND ITS WINNERS

Last year, the creation of the Innovation Route Awards marked a crucial stage with rigorous selection 
among the 40 innovations selected. 

It awarded visionary projects such as SEA.AI’s WATCHKEEPER smart system, which uses AI to prevent collisions, or the MODX 70, the first 100% electric 70-foot catamaran combining inflatable wings and hydrogenation. The awards also recognised Millikan’s autonomous solar-electric catamaran and the 95% recyclable VAAN R5 sailboat. The Special Jury Prize was awarded to Benetti’s B.YOND 37M hybrid superyacht, which can reduce NOx emissions by 85%.

Sources: Fortune Business Insights, Electric Ship Market, April 2026 report / Global Market Statistics, Recreational Boating Market Outlook 2026 / FIN, Fédération des Industries Nautiques, 2024-2025 figures, March 2026, 

RECREATIONAL BOATING MARKET SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS – GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECAST (2026-2031), Mordor Intelligence.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1977, the Cannes Yachting Festival is a true celebration of excellence and the art of living for professionals and all those who love the sea around the world. Recognised as Europe’s largest in-water boat show, with650 exhibitors, 700 boats from 5 to 50 metres long, and nearly 55,000 visitors in 2024, it will be held in the Vieux Port and Port Canto, making the city of Cannes the world capital of yachting during the six days it is open. Elegance and innovation join forces here to deliver an experience unlike any other, bringing together an impressive collection of prestigious yachts, innovative motor boats, sailing boats and multihulls with distinct design. At the Festival, leading boat builders and equipment manufacturers launch their latest technological advances and innovations that are shaping the future of yachting.

NOTE TO EDITORS

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Location : VieuxPort andPort Canto, Cannes
Dates : from Tuesday 8 to Sunday 13 September 2026
Opening hours :
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm- Friday from 10 am to 10 pm – Late opening- Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm- Sunday from 10 pm to 6 pm

RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 41 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging 
data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www
RX.rxglobal.com.

France creates high level, world-class and market leader meeting places, covering 15 industry sectors, including MIPIM, MIPCOM, Batimat, Pollutec, EquipHotel, SITL, IFTM, Big Data & AI Paris, MAPIC, Paris Photo, Maison&Objet*… For further information about the Yachting Festival, visit 
www.cannesyachtingfestival.com

ACCREDITATIONS OPENING

If you wish to cover the show: request your accreditation here

PRESSCONTACTS
Anne-Gaëlle Jourdan/ +33 (0)6 4568 47 01
Céline Rousseau/ +33 (0)6 61 54 0809
Constance Milojevic / +33 (0)6 64 68 9475
Marceau Barbedette+ +33(0)6 01160894
Mail : yachtingcannes@zmirov.com

RX France’s events take place in France, Hong Kong, Italy and Mexico. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.fr 

*Organised by Safi, a subsidiary of RX France and Ateliers d'Art de France RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and territories and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 37,000 people, around 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

*Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors