From September 8 to 13, 2026, the Cannes Yachting Festival returns to Port Canto to gather one of the most important fleets of new sailing boats presented in the water. The Sailing Area, operational since 2019 and dedicated to new sailing vessels over 10 meters, will host 120 monohulls and multihulls this year, with over 400 meters of quays reserved for the former and more than 450 meters for the latter. The French boat show thus confirms the central role of sailing within the event, combining the in-water display with stands from shipyards, equipment manufacturers, and specialized service companies. What will characterize the 2026 edition is above all the significant number of international debuts, eleven in total, including six monohulls and five catamarans.
The selection at the Cannes 2026 Sailing Area spans a significant portion of contemporary global production. From France to Germany, from Finland to Italy, up to China and South Africa, the new models showcase different approaches to cruising, performance, and life on board.
Summarizing the significance of the showcase is Constance Brément, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival: «Sailing plays a leading role at the Cannes Yachting Festival. With 120 monohulls and multihulls gathered at Port Canto, the Sailing Area, which is a pure wonder for our visitors, offers an exceptional panorama of the sector’s diversity and dynamism. This year, nearly one in five boats will be presented as a world premiere, testifying to the creativity and expertise of shipyards that passionately combine performance, comfort, innovation, and the pleasure of living at sea.»
Among the most anticipated novelties is the ICE 80 Blue Water Sport, the new flagship of ICE Yachts and a project developed in collaboration with Felci Yacht Design. The 24-meter vessel represents the Italian shipyard’s entry into the large luxury sailing yacht segment, elevating the brand’s performance-cruiser philosophy to a higher dimension.
The hull, deck, and structures of the ICE 80 are made of carbon via “one shot” vacuum infusion, with the goal of reducing weight and maintaining high levels of structural rigidity. The boat measures 24 meters overall and 6.52 meters in maximum beam, while the telescopic keel allows the draft to vary from 3.20 to 4.60 meters.
The deck layout features two distinct cockpits, with the maneuvering area separated from the guest area. The deck is characterized by wide side decks and a low, streamlined coachroof; at the stern, there is a large swimming platform and a garage for a 3.50-meter tender. The interior includes an owner’s cabin and two VIP cabins, in addition to a separate crew area.
Among the official premieres is the AMEL 50.2, a monohull 16.70 meters long and 4.99 meters wide. Designed by the Berret-Racoupeau studio, it introduces a reverse bow and an updated hull shape while retaining some of AMEL’s signature production traits.
The deep and highly protected central cockpit is designed to offer greater safety during navigation, while the living spaces have been expanded. The increased surface area dedicated to solar panels also strengthens its setup as a cruiser designed for long-distance sailing.
The CNB 62 brings a new approach to offshore cruising to Cannes. With its 19.48 meters in length and 5.33 meters in beam, the design signed by Philippe Briand is conceived to be handled even with a short-handed crew.
Key features include the large salon filled with natural light, the carbon arch that frees up the cockpit, and the longitudinal tender garage. The result aims to combine comfort and functionality, with a spatial layout designed to simplify boat management.
The Grand Soleil 80 Plus Long Cruise represents the new pinnacle of Cantiere del Pardo’s Plus range. The 26.2-meter yacht was created for owners interested in long ocean passages without sacrificing sailing performance.
The carbon rig, twin rudders, and telescopic keel broaden the boat’s versatility, while the Torqeedo hybrid platform introduces a technological feature aimed at long-range cruising. The project bears the signatures of Cantiere del Pardo, Matteo Polli, and Nauta Design, featuring bright interiors and a clear separation between guest and crew spaces.
The new Y7 from YYachts, 21.99 meters long, has been redesigned by Judel/Vrolijk & Co. and continues the German shipyard’s philosophy based on performance, simplicity, and understated luxury. The new asymmetrical companionway layout facilitates access to the cockpit, while the more protected cockpit and U-shaped sofa increase outdoor living comfort.
One of the most significant changes concerns the engine room, moved to a dedicated space accessible from two points. This solution simplifies maintenance operations and separates technical areas from living spaces.
The Swan 80-301 brings Nautor Swan’s tradition in the large sailing yacht segment to Cannes. The 25.55-meter monohull is designed by Germán Frers, with exterior design by Lucio Micheletti and interior design by Misa Poggi.
The project combines a racer-cruiser setup with greater agility in boat handling. The modular cockpit and twin helm stations allow the deck to be quickly adapted to different situations, from sailing to relaxation.
With the Aquila 45 Sail, Chinese shipyard Aquila expands its sailing range by focusing primarily on space and comfort. The catamaran, 13.42 meters long and 7.65 meters wide, features a fixed bow platform, an open flybridge, and an aft cockpit directly connected to the salon.
The extensive glass surfaces enhance brightness and visual connection with the sea, while the availability of three- or four-cabin layouts allows the model to cater to both private ownership and charter use.
The FP48 carries on the legacy of the Tanna 47 and introduces a new generation of Fountaine Pajot sailing catamarans. The design measures 14.92 meters in length by 7.90 meters in beam.
One of the distinctive features is the wide glazing that creates continuity between the aft cockpit and the salon. The central galley, forward cockpit, and Lounge Deck further expand the spaces dedicated to socializing. The model will be available in Maestro and Quatuor layouts and integrates solar panels and ODSea+ technology to increase energy autonomy.
The Leopard 43 inaugurates a new direction for the South African builder, featuring a sportier and more responsive setup without compromising on its dedication to comfort. The catamaran measures 12.97 meters by 7.04 meters in beam.
The hulls with reverse bows and optimized sail plan are performance-oriented, while the large windows ensure panoramic views and abundant light inside. The layout seamlessly connects the cockpit, salon, and rooftop relaxation area, encouraging movement between the boat’s various zones.
The Lagoon 47 interprets catamaran cruising by focusing on freedom of configuration and fluid movement. With a length of 14.95 meters and a beam of 7.96 meters, the new model incorporates various solutions to expand the truly usable area on board.
The door directly connecting the forward cockpit to the salon transforms this area into a true additional living environment, while the flybridge creates an extra open space facing the sea. The modular Smart Room and multiple cabin layouts allow the interior arrangement to be customized based on the cruising program.
Closing the selection is the Windelo 55 Sport, a 16.24-meter by 7.98-meter catamaran that confirms the French brand’s sporty approach. The project is designed for offshore cruising and combines a generous sail plan with daggerboards in extended carbon. The goal is to achieve a balance between speed and comfort while maintaining the stability and social spaces typical of a multihull.
The selection of premieres at the Sailing Area reflects some of the main directions currently pursued by sailing yacht builders: greater efficiency, attention to comfort, weight reduction, performance optimization, and an increasing ability to customize spaces.
Monohulls and catamarans offer different interpretations of the same goal: enhancing the quality of the experience at sea without sacrificing the nautical qualities of their respective designs. In the context of the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, these eleven novelties will be part of an overall fleet of 120 monohulls and multihulls, helping make Port Canto one of the primary observation points for international sailing trends.
The Sailing Area of the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 stands out as one of the most interesting sections of the edition, thanks to a fleet that contrasts different design philosophies and a particularly high concentration of premieres. From the ICE 80 Blue Water Sport to the new catamarans by Aquila, Fountaine Pajot, Leopard, Lagoon, and Windelo, alongside major monohulls from AMEL, CNB, Grand Soleil, YYachts, and Nautor Swan, the event provides a comprehensive snapshot of the evolution of contemporary cruising sailcraft.
With eleven world premieres featured in this selection and 120 total units present at Port Canto, Cannes confirms its status as a privileged vantage point for understanding where sailing yachting is heading today.
| Source | Content |
| Cannes Yachting Festival | Official information about the event, schedule, and Sailing Area |
| Cannes Yachting Festival Press Release – August 2026 | World premieres, model features, and information on the Sailing Area |
The selection includes eleven models: ICE 80 Blue Water Sport, AMEL 50.2, CNB 62, Grand Soleil 80 Plus Long Cruise, New Y7, Swan 80-301, Aquila 45 Sail, FP48, Leopard 43, Lagoon 47, and Windelo 55 Sport.
The Sailing Area will host a total of 120 new monohulls and multihulls over 10 meters, distributed across more than 400 meters of quays for monohulls and over 450 meters for multihulls.
The event is scheduled from September 8 to 13, 2026, between Vieux Port and Port Canto. On Friday, the show will remain open until 10:00 PM for the late-night opening.
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