Preview: Everything you need to know about Southampton Boat Show 2026
The Southampton International Boat Show welcomed over 90,000 visitors in 2025 The 2026 Southampton International Boat Show returns tomorrow, bringing together boats, watersports and live entertainment for one of the UK’s largest marine events.
Running for ten days from 18–27 September 2026 at Mayflower Park in Southampton on the UK’s south coast, the annual show features Europe’s largest purpose-built show marina, over 250 boats on display and more than 700 marine brands. New stages will host expert talks and demonstrations, while visitors can take part in a range of on- and off-water activities. Exhibits and demonstrations span sailing yachts, powerboats, jet ski stunts and scuba diving, alongside live music, celebrity appearances and family activities.
Southampton attracts over 90,000 visitors each year – attendance reached over 91,200 visitors for the 2025 edition.
Boats debuts
The 2026 show will feature more than 20 world, UK and show debuts, including at least five world premieres. These include the Duchy 45, the largest model in the Duchy Motor Launch range; the Nautitech 41 Type S, a performance-oriented cruising catamaran; and a Nord Star 49+ SCY featuring a world-first Volvo Penta D6-480 DPI triple stern-drive configuration. Also making their world debuts are the retro-styled Mini Fisher Classic and the Levi Trentuno, inspired by Sonny Levi’s G. Cinquanta design.
Among the UK premieres are the Fairline Targa 58 GTO, Dragonfly 40 Carbon, Bellini Astor 38, Najad 451 AC and Highfield ADV9.
View all boat debuts on the SIBS website. MIN will publish a more detailed list of major launches and new tech on Friday (18 September) when the show opens.
A challenging backdrop as SIBS begins
According to the organisers, despite challenging market conditions, the industry is backing the show, recognising that visibility and investment are key to securing future growth.
Both Ancasta and Clipper Marine are (individually) hosting private, appointment-led yacht events this autumn, reflecting a wider shift towards curated, high-intent buying experiences in the sector.
“I don’t see that as an existential threat to the boat show,” Earle Stanner, chief executive of show organiser British Marine, told MIN this summer. “I see it as people trying different things. If that works brilliantly, then we’ll have to adapt.
“What that does is make us work harder to show that there is a hugely positive return on investment from being at SIBS,” he says. “It’s a great show. It’s a great platform.”
Southampton Boat Show 2026 stage programme
SIBS 2026 will feature more than 110 talks, panel discussions, demonstrations and workshops across its Boating Stage and expanded Wooden Boat Stage (full details here). Highlights include appearances by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Tom Cunliffe, Geoff Holt MBE and Vendée Globe skipper Pip Hare, alongside sessions on marine careers, lifesaving technology, powerboat racing and marine science.
The Wooden Boat Stage will focus on traditional and modern boatbuilding, with demonstrations covering techniques from steam-bending to sailmaking, while a new Wooden Boat Stage Afloat will allow visitors to board historic and classic vessels including J Class tender Gelyce, Larry and Guide of Dunkirk. The Shipyard will also host the Maclean Brothers for a talk and book signing about their record-breaking Pacific crossing on 24 September.
This year, British Marine will put skills development, apprenticeships and career opportunities in the spotlight at SIBS 2026, with its largest training presence at the show to date.
A dedicated stand in New Wave Hall (H196) will provide information on courses, qualifications, apprenticeships and career pathways, as well as the new British Marine Training Academy online platform. Its first course, Introduction to the Marine World, covers industry terminology, marine safety, regulation and customer expectations for people new to the leisure marine sector.
Three finalists compete for Apprentice of the Year
The British Marine Apprentice of the Year 2026 winner will be announced at SIBS on 22 September, with three finalists competing for the award. The nominees are Jordan Matthews-Coles, carpenter apprentice at Princess Yachts; Niamh Taylor-May, marine engineer apprentice at Princess Yachts; and Jack Hayden, marina and boatyard operative apprentice at Fambridge Yacht Haven. Now in its third year, the award recognises an apprentice’s contribution to their business and the wider marine industry, with finalists selected from a six-strong shortlist by a panel of industry judges.
Inaugural Sailors’ Choice Awards 2026
Organised by Practical Boat Owner and Yachting Monthly, the awards cover categories including deck equipment, electronics, clothing, maintenance products, engines, safety gear, domestic systems, tenders, insurers and customer service.
Women in Marine 2026 at SIBS
Women in Marine 2026 will take place at SIBS on 23 September, bringing together female professionals from marine manufacturing, superyachts, yacht brokerage and marine law to discuss their career experiences and opportunities.
The panel, hosted by presenter Emma York, will feature Anisah Roberts of Williams Jet Tenders, Erin Smith of British Marine, Lucy Goff of Ocean Legal and Sophie Kemp of Berthon International. The event starts at 5pm, with registration advised, while further Women in Marine talks and presentations will run throughout the day.
Trade Tuesday returns
Sessions will cover sustainability, exporting, insurance and claims, business practices and regulatory changes, with speakers including new British Marine CEO Earle Stanner, European Boating Industry’s Phillip Easthill and Williams Jet Tenders and Evene Jet Tenders’ Tom Dowdell. Invictus Games gold medallist Alex Krol will deliver the keynote address, drawing on his experiences of perseverance and resilience, before the programme concludes with a networking lunch.
Trade Tuesday is free to attend, although places are limited and advance registration via this link is recommended. Attendees also require a valid entry ticket to the Southampton International Boat Show.
Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition
The 2026 Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition will bring eight design students to SIBS on 20 and 21 September for a live yacht design challenge. The finalists, drawn from Solent University, Kingston University London, the University of Staffordshire and Coventry University, will receive their brief on 19 September and have one and a half days to develop their concepts before presenting them to a panel of industry judges.
The competition will take place in the New Wave Hall, with visitors able to watch the designs develop, and the winner will be announced on the Boating Stage at 3.30pm on 21 September.
Key Yachting J/70 Invitational Cup
The Key Yachting J/70 Invitational Cup makes its debut at the show on Saturday 26 September, with heats at 11.30am and 1.30pm, the final at 3.30pm and prizegiving at the Shipyard at 5.30pm.
RNLI: Charity of the Year for 2026
The RNLI is SIBS 2026’s Charity of the Year, with visitors able to learn more about its lifesaving work, meet its teams and support the charity through optional ticket donations. The RNLI will exhibit a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and the new Atlantic 85 Mk4, while its engineering team will discuss the vessel’s development and technology on the Boating Stage.
Visitors can visit the RNLI stand (H38) for practical water safety advice and the opportunity to explore the charity’s work.
Food, drink and entertainment at the Shipyard
After a day at the show, visitors can head to the Shipyard for live music, street food and drinks, with the new Dockside food hall joining the line-up for 2026. Entertainment will include performances from Blue Water Giants, Tennessee Twin and Southampton Rock Choir, while comedy duo Luke & Elliott will host quizzes on 20 and 27 September.
How to attend SIBS
SIBS entry tickets, including standard day tickets priced at £29, with Marine Trade Tickets, priced at £45, available separately. The Marine Trade Ticket provides unlimited weekday admission from Monday to Thursday, access through the Trade Gate from 9.30am and use of the British Marine Trade Lounge.
The show opens daily at 10am and closes at 6pm, except Fridays and Saturdays when the Shipyard remains open until 9pm. On these evenings, visitors can enjoy food, drinks and live music at the Shipyard.
On the final Sunday, the show closes at 4.30pm.
There is a no re-entry policy for the Southampton International Boat Show.
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