Every September since 1991, Port Hercule has filled with superyachts. In 2026, 118 boats worth €4.5 billion were on display. This is how the Monaco Yacht Show works – and what you need to know ahead of 22–25 September 2027.
In this story · 4 sections
For one week at the end of September, the harbour in Monaco looks different. The quays in Port Hercule fill up with yachts over a hundred metres long, and instead of tourists on the promenade, shipyard staff, brokers, designers and buyers move between the gangways. The Monaco Yacht Show is not a public festival but a working trade show, and that is precisely what makes it special.
Port Hercule
Harbour and events · La Condamine
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap
- Dates
- 23–26 September 2026
- Superyachts
- 118 (of which 50 delivered in 2026)
- Estimated value
- €4.5 billion
- Exhibitors
- 560
- Visitors
- 30,678
This is where the Monaco Yacht Show has been held every September since 1991.
01A marketplace, not a parade
The show was founded in 1991 and has been held every September since then, under the high patronage of Prince Albert II. The organiser is Informa Prestige, whose CEO Toby Moore describes the event as a marketplace for yacht projects, not a parade, according to Resident. A typical year sees around 120 superyachts on display, roughly 40 of which are new launches, along with several vessels over a hundred metres in length, and more than 60 luxury tenders.
The show was launched in 1991 by the French entrepreneur Maurice Cohen, as an event for brokers with yachts over 20 metres. In 1994, the rights were sold to IIR, and in 2005 IIR was bought by the British company Informa. In 2002, 65 yachts were shown to almost 15,000 visitors; in 2016 there were 125, and that same year the car exhibition Car Deck was added. In 2020, the show was cancelled due to the pandemic. It is described as Europe's largest display of large yachts in the water, and in 2024 Kismet and Golden Odyssey were exhibited, two of the largest yachts ever displayed there, both built by Lürssen.
022026 in figures: 118 yachts and €4.5 billion
The 35th edition was held on 23–26 September 2026. According to Resident, 118 superyachts were displayed, of which 50 were delivered during the year, with a combined estimated value of 4.5 billion euros. 560 exhibitors took part and the show had 30,678 visitors.
Insider tip22–25 September 2027.
Among the largest boats were Oceanco's Leviathan at 111 metres, which was shown in Monaco for the first time, and Lürssen's Nixie at 102.4 metres, which had its world premiere. During the week, the Blue Wake Awards were presented for the second time, for design, technology and environmental innovation, and the Monaco Yacht Summit was held in parallel, with conferences on innovation, design and sustainability.
The show spreads out across the whole of Port Hercule, at the address 6 quai Antoine 1er. Along Quai des États-Unis lie the large yachts, which pre-approved visitors can board, according to the guide at YachtBuyer. The yachts anchored out in the bay can only be reached by invitation, with tenders arranged by the brokers, and the anchorage requires a valid passport. During the show days, shuttle boats and electric golf buggies run between 10am and 6.30pm.
For those who want more than a walk along the quay, a VIP pass could be purchased, which in 2026 cost from 1,800 euros per person per day, with dedicated entrances and a car service within Monaco during the show. The Prestige programme for all four days cost 8,800 euros per person and included a transfer from Nice airport.
03Ahead of 2027
The 36th Monaco Yacht Show will be held on 22–25 September 2027 in Port Hercule. The same year, the organiser is launching two new events: The Future of Refit on 31 March–2 April 2027 and the first Red Sea Yacht Show in Jeddah on 14–17 October 2027, supported by the Monaco show's organiser.
As the show is primarily aimed at the trade and buyers, and the harbour is then full, it pays to plan well in advance and check access and tickets with the organiser.
04The harbour for the rest of the year
Port Hercule is Monaco's natural harbour in La Condamine, with the Yacht Club de Monaco on quai Louis II – its history is in our story about Port Hercule. See also Port Hercule and the Yacht Club de Monaco in VERA PI's Monaco guide, and plan the rest of your trip with our 48 hours in Monaco.
