The Ultimate Monaco Yacht Show 2026 Guide - Dates, Tickets, Facts & Where to Stay
From 23 to 26 September 2026, the Monaco Yacht Show returns to Port Hercule for its 35th edition — the largest in-water display of superyachts anywhere in the world. Over four days, the harbour fills with more than 120 superyachts, 560 exhibiting companies line the quays, and more than 30,000 visitors arrive from every corner of the yachting world. This is a complete guide to the numbers, the tickets, and where to stay.
I · The History Thirty-Five Years at Port Hercule
The Monaco Yacht Show was launched in 1991 by Maurice Cohen as a broker-focused event for superyachts over 20 metres. It is organised today by Informa, the British events group, and remains Europe's largest in-water display of large yachts, supported since its founding by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.
The growth has been steady rather than sudden. In 2002, the show hosted 65 yachts and drew close to 15,000 visitors. By 2016, both figures had more than doubled, with 125 yachts on the water. The recent editions tell the same story: the 2024 show (33rd edition, held 25–28 September) drew 29,197 visitors, up from 27,223 the year before. The 2025 show (34th edition, held 24–27 September) drew 29,956 visitors and displayed 120 superyachts, the largest fleet in the event's history, alongside roughly 40 world premieres. For 2026, organisers expect attendance to pass 30,000 once again.
Since 2022, the Monaco Yacht Show has been a signatory to the Mission for Energy Transition pact with the Government of Monaco, part of a broader sustainability push that runs through the show's dedicated Blue Wake programme.
II · The 2026 Edition By the Numbers & What's New
The Monaco Yacht Show is an in-water show: rather than yachts on dry stands, more than 120 superyachts sit moored directly in Port Hercule in real sailing conditions, alongside roughly sixty luxury tenders. The average length on display is around 50 metres, with the largest megayachts exceeding 100 metres. Around 40 new launches make their world debut at the show each year, making it one of the industry's principal unveiling platforms alongside its selling function.
560+ exhibitors fill the quays: shipyards, naval architects, interior designers, brokers, equipment manufacturers, and specialist service providers spanning the full superyacht supply chain.
New for the 35th edition: the Designer Gallery, a unified showcase replacing the former Yacht Design & Innovation Hub, brings leading yacht designers together in a continuous space within the Dockside Area. The BOAT Lounge, a new partnership with BOAT International, adds a dedicated meeting and networking space at the heart of the show. The Blue Wake sustainability programme has also been extended to mark the anniversary. The Sailing Yacht Area and Adventure Area both return.
The 2026 Schedule
| Day | Programme |
|---|---|
| Wed 23 Sept | Opening conference. Dockside Area access reserved for private clients only. |
| Thu 24 Sept | Invitation-only "Introduction to Superyacht Ownership" session, daily BOAT Radio sessions. |
| Fri 25 Sept | Full show day, end-of-day networking sessions. |
| Sat 26 Sept | Full show day, closing day. |
An in-water show: rather than yachts on dry stands, more than 120 superyachts sit moored directly in Port Hercule in real sailing conditions.
III · Tickets & Access Buying In
Tickets are sold directly through the Monaco Yacht Show's official channels:
For those seeking additional service, the Prestige VIP Programme adds a private lounge with a dedicated bar, concierge service, and further perks on top of standard admission. Official ticketing is available at monacoyachtshow.com.
IV · Yachting Trivia Fun Facts for First-Time Visitors
Not everyone walking the quays in September is there to buy a yacht. A few facts worth knowing before a first visit to Port Hercule:
A ticket isn't strictly required to see the yachts
The exhibition pontoons themselves require one, but much of the fleet is visible for free from public vantage points around the harbour. Monaco-Ville, the old town on the Rock, looks straight down over Port Hercule. The waterfront walkways near the Yacht Club de Monaco offer another free view at water level.
Port Hercule itself is built for giants
With 700 berths, the harbour can accommodate yachts up to 135 metres in length, one of the few ports in the world equipped to host vessels that size directly in the water rather than at anchor offshore.
Around 82 yachts in the world are longer than 100 metres
And several make an appearance at Port Hercule every September. The average length on display at the show is around 50 metres, which is part of why the 100-metre-plus vessels tend to be the ones everyone stops to look at.
The record for "world's largest yacht" has changed hands only a handful of times
Prince Abdulaziz, a 147-metre yacht delivered to the Saudi royal family in 1984, held the title for 22 years before being overtaken in 2006. Today the record belongs to Azzam, the 180-metre Lürssen delivered in 2013, still the largest fully completed private yacht afloat.
Monaco isn't the only stop in September
Two and a half weeks earlier, the Cannes Yachting Festival takes over Vieux Port and Port Canto, running 8 to 13 September 2026. Founded in 1977 and now in its 49th edition, it's Europe's largest in-water display of new sailboats, with a broader size range than Monaco's superyacht-only focus. Many industry professionals, and a fair number of travellers, take in both shows on the same September trip along the coast.
A "superyacht" is technically anything over 24 metres
Past that threshold, the largest examples are informally called megayachts, and beyond 100 or 150 metres, some in the industry use "gigayacht." There's no official cutoff. It's simply a question of how big is big.
V · Getting There Reaching Port Hercule Without the Gridlock
Monaco during Yacht Show week runs at capacity. Quays close to through traffic, and parking near Port Hercule is effectively unavailable to anyone outside the show's own logistics. Three sensible ways in:
By helicopter
From Nice Côte d'Azur Airport to Monaco Heliport in Fontvieille. Operators include Monacair, Héli Sécurité, and Azur Hélicoptère. Book early, as demand rises sharply during show week.
By train
The SNCF TER runs from Nice-Ville to Monaco-Monte-Carlo in around 25 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day.
By chauffeur
From Villa Monaco's gate in Cap-d'Ail, private chauffeur transfers reach Port Hercule in approximately 8 to 10 minutes, arranged directly by the villa's concierge and routing in from outside Monaco's most congested zones.
VI · Your Base Villa Monaco
Villa Monaco is a private luxury estate in Cap-d'Ail, three minutes from the Monaco border and roughly 8 to 10 minutes by car from Port Hercule. It offers six private suites sleeping up to 14 guests, a heated infinity pool at 28°C through October, a private gym, home cinema, and parking for up to 10 cars, including 3 covered spaces, on a 150-metre driveway lined with 200-year-old olive trees.
Yacht Show week is one of the few weeks of the year when parking, not just accommodation, becomes the harder problem in Monaco. Villa Monaco's ten spaces solve that on arrival, while the estate's distance from Port Hercule means guests reach the show in minutes.
Show week has its own rhythm at the villa. Mornings begin with breakfast by the pool before the short drive down to Port Hercule. Guests don't need to stay at the show all day: many return to the villa at midday for lunch prepared by the villa's private chef, a quieter alternative to the show's own restaurants during its busiest hours, before heading back to the quays for the afternoon. At the end of a long day on the show floor or aboard the yachts, a massage can be arranged on-site, followed by a swim before dinner.
Villa Monaco is fully booked for the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show. Enquiries for the 2027 edition are now open.
VII · Host Your Own Event Show-Week at the Villa · For Shipyards, Brokerages & Industry
Yacht Show week draws exactly the audience Villa Monaco was built for. Shipyards, brokerages, designers, and the wider yachting industry descend on Monaco for four days of client meetings, launches, and new introductions — and much of that business is better conducted away from a crowded stand or a fully booked restaurant.
For a company renting the villa for the week, the estate isn't limited to accommodation. The same living spaces, terraces, and pool area can be used to host cocktail receptions, client presentations, speaker sessions, and networking events on-site, produced with the villa's own private chef and event styling. A shipyard or brokerage can put its team up for the week and entertain clients in the same private setting, without needing a separate venue for the business side of the trip.
VIII · Frequently Asked Monaco Yacht Show 2026 FAQ
When is the Monaco Yacht Show 2026?
The Monaco Yacht Show 2026 runs from Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 September 2026 at Port Hercule, marking the show's 35th edition. Wednesday is reserved for private clients; the show is open to ticket holders Thursday through Saturday.
How many people visit the Monaco Yacht Show each year?
The 2025 edition drew 29,956 visitors, up from 29,197 in 2024 and 27,223 in 2023. Organisers expect the 2026 edition to draw more than 30,000 visitors over the four days.
How many exhibitors are at the Monaco Yacht Show?
More than 560 exhibiting companies take part each year, spanning shipyards, naval architects, designers, brokers, equipment manufacturers, and specialist suppliers.
How many yachts are on display?
More than 120 superyachts are moored in Port Hercule in the show's signature in-water format, with an average length of around 50 metres and megayachts exceeding 100 metres, alongside roughly 60 luxury tenders. Around 40 new launches debut worldwide at the show each year.
How much do Monaco Yacht Show tickets cost?
A 2-day pass (Wednesday excluded) costs €1,300 including VAT; a 3-day pass costs €2,070 including VAT. Wednesday access to the Dockside Area is reserved for private clients and is not sold as a general ticket.
Is the Monaco Yacht Show open to the public?
Yes, with a purchased ticket, from Thursday to Saturday. Wednesday is an invitation and private-client day only.
What's new at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026?
The 35th edition introduces the Designer Gallery, a unified showcase for yacht designers replacing the former Yacht Design & Innovation Hub, and the BOAT Lounge, a new networking space developed with BOAT International. The Blue Wake sustainability programme has also been extended for the anniversary edition.
What is the largest yacht ever built?
Azzam, delivered in 2013 by the German shipyard Lürssen, measures 180 metres and remains the largest fully completed private superyacht in the world. Before Azzam, the record belonged to Dubai, and before that to Prince Abdulaziz, a 147-metre yacht built in 1984 that held the title for 22 years.
Can I see the yachts at the Monaco Yacht Show without buying a ticket?
To an extent, yes. The exhibition pontoons themselves require a ticket, but much of the fleet can be seen for free from public areas around Port Hercule, including Monaco-Ville, the old town on the Rock, and the waterfront near the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Who founded the Monaco Yacht Show?
The show was founded in 1991 by Maurice Cohen. It is organised today by Informa and has been supported since its inception by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Where should I stay for the Monaco Yacht Show?
Monaco's hotels fill quickly for Yacht Show week and parking near Port Hercule becomes scarce for the duration of the show. Cap-d'Ail, roughly 8 to 10 minutes from Port Hercule by car, offers a quieter private alternative with space its Monaco hotel counterparts cannot match. Villa Monaco is the closest private luxury estate, with parking for 10 cars and a concierge able to arrange transfers directly to Port Hercule.
Is Villa Monaco available for the Monaco Yacht Show 2026?
Villa Monaco is fully booked for Yacht Show week 2026. Enquiries for the 2027 edition are open now, and given how far in advance the villa is typically reserved for show week, early registration is advised.
Can I host a corporate or yacht industry event at Villa Monaco during show week?
Yes, for a company renting the villa for Yacht Show week. Alongside accommodation for up to 14 guests, the villa's terraces, living spaces, and pool area can be used to host cocktail receptions, presentations, and networking events on-site as part of the same rental.
