Confirmed dates to plan around
Cowes Week is listed by the official event site for 1-7 August 2026. Round the Island Race is listed by the race site for Saturday 11 July 2026. Southampton International Boat Show is listed for 18-27 September 2026 at Mayflower Park.
The RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show ran at Farnborough International on 21-22 February 2026. That makes it useful for next-year planning, but not a live 2026 visitor listing after July.
How to use the calendar
Use this page as a planning map, not a ticket office. Before booking travel, check the organiser's own site for opening times, ticket waves, exhibitor lists, access notes and any change to dates.
Boat shows change shape quickly. A show may be excellent for chandlery and dinghies but thin on yachts; another may be strong on marina visits but poor for hands-on equipment comparison.
What Old Sea Dogs will add
As the archive is cleaned, each listing should link to preview notes, first-timer tips, show-floor priorities and follow-up reports. The useful question is not simply when a show happens, but whether it is worth a day of a reader's time.
Old Sea Dogs checklist
- Check organiser sites before buying tickets.
- Look for on-water access, trial sails or marina pontoons if comparing boats.
- Book accommodation early around Cowes and Southampton.
- For family visits, check under-16 ticket rules and water activity booking.
- Send corrections or missing UK events to Old Sea Dogs.
Sources and useful links
Guide pages are checked against official pages where dates or formal event details matter. Send corrections to [email protected].