Genoa has already begun preparing one of the most important gatherings on the international boating calendar. Between 1 and 6 October 2026, the Italian city will host the 66th edition of the Salone Nautico Internazionale di Genova, bringing together boats, equipment, technology, design, services, nautical tourism and representatives from the world's leading markets.
With exhibitor registration officially open, Mundo Mar begins its 2026 special coverage of the event that, for more than six decades, has turned Genoa into a meeting point between industry, market, institutions, professionals and people connected to the sea.
A date chosen to follow the market
Holding the show between 1 and 6 October marks the Salone Nautico's return to the start of the month, after the 2025 edition took place in September. According to the organisers, the choice seeks to respond to market needs and position the event in a period more consistent with the commercial dynamics of the international marine industry.
For Piero Formenti, president of Confindustria Nautica, the Genoa Boat Show is among the world's top three nautical events in industrial relevance and international positioning. More than presenting products, the gathering works as a platform where companies, buyers, suppliers and institutions analyse trends and define new paths for the sector.
The numbers that shape expectations for 2026
Last year's performance helps to gauge expectations for the coming edition. In 2025, the Salone Nautico welcomed 124,248 visitors, presented more than a thousand boats, brought together representatives from 45 countries and accredited 1,245 international journalists.
There were also 123 new products, including 96 world premieres, plus 4,050 sea trials and thousands of business meetings. The results reinforced Genoa's role not only as a showcase of boats, but as an environment for generating business, international relationships and the circulation of knowledge.
Five shows within a single event
One of the great differentiators of the Salone Nautico is its multi-specialist model, with five complementary areas created to represent different parts of the supply chain.
The Yachts & Superyachts area concentrates larger vessels and high added-value projects. Sailing World is dedicated to sailing, multihulls and related equipment. Boating Discovery presents motorboats, inflatables, outboard engines and solutions aimed at different types of boaters. TechTrade brings together components, accessories, electronics, engines, materials, equipment and technologies used by the industry. Living the Sea connects the public with services, nautical tourism, experiences and the different ways of living the sea.
Together, these areas show that boating does not end at the vessel. Around every boat there is a chain made up of industry, commerce, maintenance, marinas, insurance, electronics, infrastructure, professional training, tourism and services.
A show built around the water
The 2026 edition will again be held at the Waterfront di Levante, the urban and nautical complex redesigned by Genoese architect Renzo Piano. The project expanded the integration between land areas, navigable canals, exhibition spaces and the sea, allowing a large share of the boats to be presented in the water and making sea trials possible during the event itself.
The Salone Nautico occupies more than 200,000 square metres between land and water. Approximately 85% of the spaces are open air, turning the visit into an experience directly connected to navigation. Visitors can see the product at the stand, step aboard, examine details and, in many cases, watch its performance on the water.
Technology, design and sustainability get their own space
The 2026 programme will feature the seventh edition of the Design Innovation Award, dedicated to projects that stand out in design, research, functionality, technology and sustainability. The event also confirmed the fifth edition of the World Yachting Sustainability Forum, bringing together companies, bodies and institutions to discuss the sustainable transition, regulatory challenges and the changes needed for the future of leisure boating.
Another confirmed initiative is the second edition of TechTrade Days, a B2B format aimed at component manufacturers, service providers, technology suppliers, buyers and professional operators. The Salone Nautico also follows the principles of the international ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management, confirmed for the second consecutive year.
Genoa takes place at a decisive moment for the market
The 2026 edition arrives amid a stabilisation of global demand after the strong growth recorded by boating in the post-pandemic period. A study by Deloitte in partnership with Confindustria Nautica estimates that the global new boatbuilding market moved 33.3 billion euros in 2025.
While part of the global market slowed, the Italian industry advanced. Boat production in the country was estimated between 5.4 and 5.5 billion euros, with average growth of approximately 5% between 2023 and 2025. Italy also maintains a leading position in the superyacht segment, accounting for 56% of global orders by number of units and 36% of that market's value. Around 90% of Italian marine production is destined for export.
A chain that generates value well beyond the shipyards
In 2024, Italy's marine chain generated more than 13 billion euros in added value and supported approximately 168,000 jobs. According to a study by Confindustria Nautica and Fondazione Symbola, every euro produced by Italian shipyards generates a total of 5.2 euros in added value along the chain.
During the six days of the event, Genoa moves hospitality, gastronomy, transport, commerce, event production, communication, tourism and specialised services, while creating opportunities for manufacturers, distributors, designers, professionals, buyers and institutional representatives from several countries.
Internationalisation remains a priority
In partnership with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Salone Nautico will maintain programmes for professional buyers, qualified operators and foreign press. For a sector that exports most of its production, this international connection is a central part of its own development model.
The Salone Nautico di Genova shows, in practice, the reach of the Ocean Economy in the marine sector. A gathering like this connects industry, commerce, services, tourism, innovation, professional training, international relations and urban development.
Event details
- Event: 66th Salone Nautico Internazionale di Genova
- Date: 1 to 6 October 2026
- Venue: Waterfront di Levante — Genoa, Italy
- Organisers: Confindustria Nautica and I Saloni Nautici
By: Redação Mundo Mar
Photo: Mundo Mar
