66th GENOA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW: THE BOATING INDUSTRY CHARTS NEW COURSES
More than 1,000 boats, 215 new models and 45 countries will take centre stage in Genoa as the international event expands its high-end offering, strengthens global participation and introduces new initiatives across innovation, design and the Blue Economy.
The 66th Genoa International Boat Show is set to return to Genoa from 1–6 October 2026, bringing together the international boating industry for six days dedicated to yachts, innovation, design, technology and the future of the maritime sector.
Organised by Confindustria Nautica Italian Marine Industry Association, this year’s edition will welcome more than 1,000 boats, 215 new models and representatives from 45 countries across five continents alongside a 4% expansion of the in-water exhibition area.
The figures underline the Genoa International Boat Show’s continued international development and its role as a major platform for the Italian and global boating industries.
The high-end segment will have an increasingly prominent presence in 2026. Occupancy of the Yacht & Superyacht dock has increased, while the average size of the three largest yachts in each segment is up 14.1% compared with 2025. The multihull sector is also expanding significantly, with the number of units on display increasing by 28%.
“The figures for this year’s edition have a significance that goes beyond mere numbers, because the Genoa International Boat Show is a direct reflection of the market and the industry it represents,” said Piero Formenti, President of Confindustria Nautica Italian Marine Industry Association.
Formenti highlighted an Italian boating industry generating €8.6 billion in turnover, more than €13 billion in added value and nearly 170,000 jobs, with approximately 90% of production destined for international markets.
A stronger high-end yachting presence among the major additions to the 2026 edition is “Living Made in Italy”, a new area located on Quay H and developed with the support of the Italian Trade Agency.
Dedicated to the excellence of Italy’s yacht-building industry for vessels above 24 metres, the area will feature dedicated displays, lounges and hospitality facilities. The initiative has already attracted yachts ranging from 35 to 50 metres, further strengthening Genoa’s position within the international large-yacht sector.
The Show’s return to its traditional October dates has also been welcomed by the market, encouraging the return of major industry players and creating opportunities for larger yachts to participate.
Blue Arena: opening the world of boating to new generations the transformation of Genoa’s Levante Waterfront continues to shape the evolution of the Show. For 2026, visitors will experience the fully available new Palasport Pavilion, alongside the introduction of the Blue Arena.
Created through investment from Confindustria Nautica and the Italian Trade Agency, the Blue Arena marks a first in the event’s 66-year history.
Designed as an accessible gateway into boating and maritime culture, the new area will introduce broader and younger audiences to the industry through five key areas: Start Boating, Start-ups & Innovation, Training and Boating Careers, World Sailing and Maritime Military Institutions.
The initiative will combine practical boating experiences with education, innovation, professional opportunities and maritime culture.
International participation expands Internationalisation remains central to the Genoa International Boat Show, reflecting an Italian boating industry in which exports represent a substantial share of production.
For the 2026 edition, the Italian Trade Agency is doubling its commitment to the international visitor programme, bringing buyers and journalists from 35 countries to Genoa.
The number of international buyers is expected to rise from 70 to 180, encompassing not only superyacht buyers but also importers, distributors and dealers. More than 80 international journalists have also been contacted as part of the programme.
The initiative is designed to create further opportunities for networking and business development between Italian companies, international professionals, buyers, distributors and the global media.
The TechTrade Days will return for a second edition on 1 and 2 October, placing the marine accessories and components sector firmly in the spotlight.
More than 400 specialist brands will participate in the dedicated B2B programme, connecting shipyards, designers, technical departments, procurement professionals, manufacturers, distributors and suppliers.
The initiative reflects the Show’s broader ambition to represent not only finished yachts and boats but also the extensive network of technologies, expertise and specialist companies supporting the international boating industry.
The FORUM26 conference programme will bring together industry leaders, institutions and specialists to examine the issues influencing the competitiveness and future development of the boating sector.
The programme begins on 30 September with the presentation of La Nautica in Cifre (Boating in Figures), Confindustria Nautica’s 2025 market analysis developed in collaboration with Fondazione Edison and IULM COMAR.
On 1 October, the opening conference, “Industry, Innovation, Institutions: charting a common course for the yachting sector,” will examine the relationship between industrial development, technological innovation and public decision-making.
Further discussions throughout the Show will address sustainability, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, taxation and customs, the maritime economy, innovative start-ups and SMEs, nautical tourism, professional training and career opportunities within the Blue Economy.
Among the programme highlights will be the 5th World Yachting Sustainability Forum, the European Sustainable Boating Roundtable, a conference examining the Blue Economy and the economic impact of yachting and the 12th National Conference dedicated to nautical tourism.
Design Innovation Award returns for its seventh edition will once again take centre stage with the 7th Design Innovation Award, established by Confindustria Nautica and the Genoa International Boat Show in 2020.
The Award recognises excellence in nautical design while highlighting developments in technology, sustainability and innovation across the boating sector.
The 2026 international jury will be chaired by architect Paolo Brescia, co-founder of OBR – Open Building Research.
To commemorate the seventh edition, a dedicated publication looking back at the first six years of the Award will also be presented, documenting the evolution of award-winning projects and developments in contemporary nautical design.
The winners will be announced on Friday, 2 October, during the Design Innovation Award gala on the terrace of of the Show’s iconic Blue Pavilion.
Culture, sport and the America’s Cup the 2026 Genoa International Boat Show will extend beyond the exhibition docks with a programme spanning culture, publishing and sport.
Leading figures from journalism and non-fiction, including Paolo Mieli and Antonio Caprarica, will participate in talks and presentations, while the Incontri in Blu programme will feature Riccardo Bonadeo, President of the One Ocean Foundation, and Giulio Bertelli, Vice President of Luna Rossa.
The America’s Cup will also have a prominent presence as the partnership between the event organisers and Confindustria Nautica continues following the association’s appointment as Strategic Marine Industry Advisory Partner for the 38th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup.
A global showcase for Made in Italy bringing together yachts, shipyards, designers, suppliers, institutions, technology, culture and international markets, the 66th Genoa International Boat Show will once again position Genoa at the centre of the global boating industry.
With an expanded high-end yacht presence, increased international participation and new initiatives spanning innovation, education, sustainability and design, the 2026 edition will showcase both the strength of Italy’s maritime industry and the evolution of the international yachting market.
66th Genoa International Boat Show
Genoa, Italy | 1–6 October 2026
