The 66th Genoa International Boat Show, organised by Confindustria Nautica, recorded 138,273 visitors, up 11.3 per cent from the previous edition.
The six-day event, held in Genoa from 1 to 6 October, brought together more than 1,000 boats and exhibitors from 45 countries, covering segments from small boats to superyachts, as well as boatbuilding, equipment and components.
More than 4,600 sea trials took place during Genoa Boat Show, while 215 new products were presented.
A total of 90 scientific forums and institutional debates were held, alongside the Forum26 programme, under the patronage of the European Commission. Organisers also confirmed a total of 6,207 articles were published in print and online, while the show’s official Facebook and Instagram pages recorded 11,649,960 views between 15 September and 6 October.
Exhibitors reported strong business activity, with shipyards securing orders and signing contracts during the event.
Piero Formenti, president of Confindustria Nautica, says: “The Genoa International Boat Show is first and foremost a resource at the service of the industry, and the results of this edition confirm its strength and purpose. In a changing market, the most significant factor is the quality of the business generated: supply met demand, contracts were signed, and shipyards created new opportunities.
“The new projects introduced this year also delivered positive results. The Blue Arena proved successful, as did the integration of the show, the Palasport Pavilion and the shopping centre, creating new connections with the city and younger audiences. Living Made in Italy was another great success, and we want to develop it further, strengthening synergies between boating, design and other expressions of Made in Italy. We will start work immediately on both projects for 2027. Preparations for the next show have already begun.”
2027 dates confirmed
Formenti confirmed that the 67th Genoa International Boat Show will take place in Genoa from 30 September to 5 October 2027. The show returned this year to its traditional early October dates after taking place in late September since 2021 – a move designed to create space away from the crowded Cannes and Monaco calendar.
Marina Stella, general manager of Confindustria Nautica, says: “Internationalisation and innovation are two strategic drivers of our industry’s competitiveness, and two areas in which the show is strengthening its role in serving businesses. With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency, the inbound delegation programme doubled the number of international buyers and journalists from 35 countries and generated 580 business meetings over the two days dedicated to B2B meetings.”
Italy market activity
In 2025, the Italian boatbuilding sector’s export share reached 90 per cent, with export value reaching €4.4bn, up 2.6 per cent on 2024. Italy accounted for 21.3 per cent of global exports, with international activity particularly significant in the superyacht, inflatable boat, equipment and component segments.
The TechTrade Days returned for a second year, bringing together more than 400 specialist equipment and component brands. The programme was aimed at shipyards, designers, technical departments, purchasing managers, manufacturers, distributors and suppliers.
The Forum26 programme ran throughout the six-day event under the patronage of the European Commission, with sessions examining factors affecting the boating industry’s competitiveness and development.
Topics included the market and competitiveness, with the Boating Economic Forecast covering sector data, trends and outlook. Regulatory issues included new anti-money laundering rules, taxation and customs, alongside cybersecurity in the blue economy.
The programme also covered artificial intelligence, electrification and hybrid propulsion, design and production processes, sustainability, materials and cooperation between shipyards and suppliers. The World Yachting Sustainability Forum and European Sustainable Boating Roundtable focused on the transition to sustainability, while TechTrade Seminars examined the application of new technologies in boating.
Other subjects included the economic role of yachting and the economy of the sea, startups and innovative SMEs, coastal tourism and maritime infrastructure.
A total of €25,000 raised from paid parking will go to charities Porto dei Piccoli and Music for Peace.
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