The Cannes Yachting Festival is already underway. The 2026 edition will take place from September 8 to 13 in Cannes, with the event spread across two of the city’s main ports: Vieux Port and Port Canto. The organizers are showcasing more than 700 boats, ranging from 5 to 55 meters in length, as well as exhibitors and companies related to the boating industry.
For those planning to visit the fair, one of the first things to keep in mind is its hours. From Tuesday through Thursday, the venue is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; on Friday, it stays open until 10:00 p.m.; on Saturday, it closes at 7:00 p.m. again; and on Sunday, it closes at 6:00 p.m.
Two ports, two experiences
The tour is divided into two areas with different themes. The Vieux Port, located in the center of Cannes at the foot of Le Suquet, focuses primarily on motorboats and marine innovation. The organizers note that visitors can find more than 350 boats ranging from 12 to 45 meters in length there, as well as nautical equipment and services.
Within the Vieux Port, the Palais des Festivals brings together companies and brands related to international boating, tourism, equipment, and premium services. New launches, world premieres, and next-generation vessels are showcased at the Jetée. The Quai Saint-Pierre is dedicated to luxury day boats, open models, and flybridge motorboats over 12 meters in length, while the Quai Max Laubeuf features large motor yachts and high-performance models. Pantiero, meanwhile, hosts the Power Cat Village, large RIBs, and an area dedicated to marine technologies, equipment, and services.
Port Canto, located at the eastern end of La Croisette, is the festival’s other major venue. This is where the Sailing Area, the brokerage zone, the Toys area, and the Power Boat Marina are concentrated. The selection includes sailboats, brokerage yachts, motorboats up to 12 meters, and the latest water toys.
The Sailing Area features monohulls and multihulls from international brands and is billed by the organizers as the largest in-water sailing exhibition. At the Power Boat Marina, you can find motorboats up to 12 meters in length, while the Brokers & Toys area combines brokerage yachts over 25 meters with water toys and other nautical leisure options.
How to Travel Between the Two Ports
You don’t need to travel by road to get from one venue to another. The festival offers free shuttle boats between the Vieux Port and Port Canto. There are RIBs and larger covered boats, and service begins at 10:00 a.m., with departures every 15 minutes. There is also a dedicated line for VIP guests.
The organization also offers walking routes called “traversantes,” which allow visitors to take certain shortcuts between the exhibition areas. These routes remain open for 15 minutes on the hour and at half past the hour.
How much do the tickets cost?
A one-day general admission ticket costs 40 euros per person. There is also a two-day ticket for 65 euros, with a 15-euro discount on the second day. For families, the festival offers a ticket for 120 euros for two adults and two teenagers between the ages of 11 and 18.
There is also a “Comfort” ticket for 120 euros, which grants access to the lounge through the VIP entrances and allows passengers to use the VIP ferry shuttles between the two ports.
For those looking for a VIP experience, the festival offers several options. The Silver VIP pass, valid for one day and one person, costs 250 euros; the two-day Gold VIP pass for two visitors is priced at 660 euros; and the six-day Gold VIP pass for two visitors costs 950 euros. The six-day Platinum package for two people costs 1,640 euros and includes, among other services, access to the VIP clubs, concierge service, priority access to official cars, a guided boat tour of the show, a helicopter transfer to or from the Nice airport, six boat tours, and lunch for two, all subject to the conditions specified by the organizers.
There is also a professional pass for 60 euros, reserved for professionals in the nautical industry from Tuesday through Friday, which includes access to a Business Center at each port. Tickets can be purchased online through the festival’s official platform.
Can you tour the ships?
Yes, but with one important condition: visitors can board and tour many of the boats on display, but access is subject to approval by each exhibitor, who decides how to organize the tours.
Sea trials are also available, although not all boats offer them. Some exhibitors offer sea trials by appointment, so the organizers recommend contacting each exhibitor directly to inquire about availability and participation requirements.
How to Get to Cannes
For those traveling by plane, the organization lists the Nice-Côte d’Azur International Airport as the main point of entry. Attendees can also take advantage of a 10% discount on select Air France and KLM fares by using the code provided by the festival, subject to terms and conditions.
Another option is the train. The Cannes SNCF station, located on Place de la Gare, is in the city center and within walking distance of the Vieux Port. The station offers connections to various regions of France and major European cities.
From the Nice airport, there is also a direct bus connection via Line 81 to downtown Cannes. The organization also offers a taxi service that must be reserved in advance and notes that the trip between the airport and the festival venues takes about 30 minutes.
For those seeking a more exclusive way to arrive, the festival notes that helicopter transfers between Nice and Cannes are available during the event through Green Bees Helico.
There are a few restrictions you should be aware of
The organization has established access restrictions for certain items. Suitcases, travel bags, and backpacks larger than A3—approximately 40 × 30 centimeters—are not permitted. Animals are also not allowed for safety and hygiene reasons.
The festival is accessible to visitors with limited mobility and has special facilities to facilitate access and movement throughout the two venues.
Eating is also part of the visit
The Cannes Yachting Festival features a variety of dining options throughout the Vieux Port and Port Canto. The organizers note that there are bistronomic-style restaurants with panoramic views, cafés, food trucks, and takeout options.
The Vieux Port is also home to the new Solarium, a relaxation area by the water featuring lounge chairs and umbrellas. The area also features a photo spot with the festival’s three-dimensional logo and hosts demonstrations and interactive presentations of Ultra Marine’s mooring solutions.
For those with the appropriate passes, the festival also offers VIP Clubs at both ports, featuring concierge services, refreshments, and prime views of the ports and the boats.
The interactive map: a useful tool
Since the show is spread across two ports and several exhibition areas, the organizers provide an interactive map where you can locate exhibitors and boats, as well as ticket offices, restaurants, VIP areas, shuttle stops, and other services.
All in all, the key to making the most of your visit to the Cannes Yachting Festival is to be clear from the start about what you want to see: the Vieux Port is home to a large portion of the motorboat offerings, while Port Canto features sailboats, brokerage, motorboats up to 12 meters, and water toys. The shuttle boats make it possible to visit both areas in a single day.
