Genoa Boat Show: the number of large boats up to 50 metres in length is on the rise

The number of large yachts – those in the 35 to 50-metre category – is on the rise at the 2026 edition of the Genoa International Boat Show, whilst the average size of the three largest vessels in each segment has also increased by 14.1 per cent (compared with 2025); Furthermore, the available space in the water is expanding: +4 per cent. These are the key figures for the 66th Genoa Boat Show, organised by Confindustria Nautica, which will open its doors on 1 October and run until 6 October, showcasing over a thousand boats, including 215 new models, with 45 countries represented from across five continents. The event was presented yesterday in Milan, at the Edison Foundation.

The organisers say that moving the event from September to early October has, as hoped – thanks to the gap between the dates of the Cannes and Monte Carlo boat shows – encouraged the return of major players to Genoa and the presence of larger vessels. It was against this backdrop that the ‘Living made in Italy’ area was created – a new space on Quay H, developed with the support of ICE Agenzia, featuring displays, lounges and hospitality services dedicated to promoting the Italian shipbuilding industry for vessels over 24 metres in length. This project has encouraged the participation in the show of superyachts specifically in the 35 to 50-metre length range.

“The figures for this edition,” says Piero Formenti, president of Confindustria Nautica, “have a significance that goes beyond mere numbers, because the boat show is a direct reflection of the market and the industry it represents. We are talking about a sector which, in 2025, achieved a turnover of 8.6 billion euros, generated over 13 billion in added value and employed nearly 170,000 people, with around 90 per cent of production destined for overseas markets. ‘2026,’ he continues, ‘is not looking as positive, due to the geopolitical situation. The high-end segment is growing, the mid-range sector is holding its own, whilst the small boat sector is experiencing a significant setback. If the war between Russia and Ukraine were to end now, we would have solved half the problem.’

The expansion of the layout on the water, the increase in the size of the boats on display and the evolution of the various segments, adds Formenti, “reflect a sector that is changing and an event capable, in turn, of adapting accordingly. This is the strength of a trade fair organised by the national trade association: listening to businesses, understanding their needs and translating them into a project capable of bringing together representation and the market, industrial vision and international reach’.

Another new feature of the 2026 edition of the boat show is the Blue Arena. Set up in the Palasport’s sports arena, thanks to an investment by Confindustria Nautica and ICE, the area has been designed and organised to introduce a wider audience to recreational boating.