A new year, fresh wakes, and a world of water waiting ahead.
Winter & Early Season Show-Stops (January–March)
Boot Düsseldorf – 17–25 January, Düsseldorf, Germany Kicking off the calendar in early 2026, Boot Düsseldorf returns as one of the world’s largest and most influential boat and watersports shows, drawing serious sailors, powerboaters, designers and gearheads to see the latest innovations and yachts afloat. boot Düsseldorf
RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show – 21–22 February, Farnborough, UK A must-see for dinghy sailors and watersports lovers, this show combines boat displays with live demos, coaching sessions, interactive exhibits and some serious family fun on and off the water. Royal Yachting Association
Dubai International Boat Show – April (dates tbc), Dubai, UAE One of the leading exhibitions in the Middle East, this show blends superyachts, luxury, sportboats and maritime tech at a stunning waterfront venue. Y.CO
Korea International Boat Show – 6–8 March, Korea A key event in Asia’s growing marine leisure calendar, showcasing domestic and international brands alongside boats of all sizes. Wikipedia
Spring Racers and Regattas (April–June)
Antigua Sailing Week – 23–29 March One of the classic Caribbean regattas combining competitive racing with island hospitality, Antigua Sailing Week always draws fleets from all corners of the globe. Sunsail
BVI Spring Regatta – 25–30 January, British Virgin Islands Ideal if you’re itching for early-season warm-water racing, this event pairs tight courses with legendary post-race nights. Sunsail
Heineken Regatta – 22–26 April, St. Maarten World-class Caribbean racing with strong international participation and a social buzz sailors live for. Sunsail
Palma International Boat Show – 29 April–2 May, Palma de Mallorca, Spain A premier spring boat show and superyacht gathering on the Mediterranean, perfect for buyers and sea-lovers alike. yachtbuyer.com
South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show – 8–10 May, Southampton, UK A showcase focused on innovative boats and environmentally conscious solutions on the South Coast. yachtbuyer.com
British Motor Yacht Show – 14–17 May, Swanwick, UK Celebrating the best in motor yachts and power cruising, this South-Coast showcase attracts owners, brokers and industry professionals. yachtbuyer.com
Major Championships & Circuits Sailing Racing Highlights
SailGP 2026 Season – Global (dates/venues tbc) SailGP returns for a thrilling season of high-speed, foiling catamaran racing in iconic locations around the world, including stops in Europe, Australia and the Americas. Reuters
RS Games 2026 – 16–26 July, Travemünde, Germany A highlight regatta for the RS class community — multi-class competition with parties, social events, and intense racing across classes. RS Sailing
29er European Championship – 2026 (location/dates tbc) A premier European youth and performance dinghy championship that often showcases future Olympic talent. Wikipedia
ORC European Championship – 7–15 August, Klaipėda, Lithuania Competitive offshore racing under the ORC rule, attracting experienced teams from around the world. Sail-World.com
Iconic Regattas & Cultural Sailing Festivals
Tall Ships Races 2026 – 24 June–2 August (Northern Europe) A rolling series of stops for training ships and tall masts, from Aarhus to Aalborg via Harlingen and Stavanger — part adventure, part maritime spectacle. Sail Training International
Cowes Week – 1–7 August, Isle of Wight, UK One of the world’s oldest and most storied regattas, Cowes Week blends top-class racing with festival atmosphere every summer. The Yachter
Kiel Week – 20–28 June, Kiel, Germany (dates subject to confirmation) Northern Europe’s biggest maritime festival — thousands of boats, races and social events across a week of sea and celebration. The Yachter
Barcolana – 11 October, Trieste, Italy Possibly the world’s largest regatta by numbers, where family cruisers and racing maxi-yachts line up together in an electrifying mass start. The Yachter
Powerboat Racing Series
UIM F4 World & European Championship – 14–15 May (Monz, Belgium); 5–7 June (Klaipėda, Lithuania); other rounds 440hp Formula 4 powerboat racing returns, spreading high-speed competition to Europe’s inland and coastal venues. Powerboat News
UIM F2 World & European Championship – 5–7 June (Klaipėda), 26–28 June (Brindisi, Italy); more rounds tbc Elite powerboat racing across Europe — close-quarters, blistering-fast competition for titles and bragging rights. Powerboat News
E1 Electric Powerboating World Championship – Global series (Jan–Nov) A rapidly emerging series of electric foiling powerboat races featuring cutting-edge technology and global stops including Jeddah, Lake Como, Dubrovnik, Monaco, Lagos and Miami — blending spectacle with sustainability in high-performance on-water racing. E1 Series
Autumn Highlights & Boat Shows
Cannes Yachting Festival – 8–13 September, Cannes, France A signature Mediterranean autumn event for new boat debuts and yacht display from dayboats to superyachts. Boat International
Monaco Yacht Show – 23–26 September, Monaco The pinnacle of superyachting exhibitions where the world’s largest and most luxurious yachts make their port debut each year. Boat International
Genoa International Boat Show – 1–6 October, Genoa, Italy A leading European nautical showcase with sea trials and launches of new models across the Italian market. Boat International
Southampton Boat Show – 18–27 September, Southampton, UK The UK’s flagship boating and watersports festival — everything from sailing gear to power yachts and watersports demos. Southampton International Boatshow
Why 2026 Looks Special
Across every seamark of our calendars, 2026 promises something for every sort of boater:
World-class competition on both sail and power circuits
Iconic gatherings of classic and modern fleets at cultural sailing festivals
Global boat shows with the newest designs, tech and community meet-ups
Emerging powerboat series blending sustainability and high-performance thrills
For racers, cruisers, weekend warriors and shore-side dreamers alike, next year’s lineup is a reminder that life on the water is never dull — and the horizon always beckons.