Arsenale Sets the Stage: The 7th Venice Boat Show Returns This May

From May 27th to 31rst, 2026, Venice returns to the international attention with the seventh edition of the Venice Boat Show, hosted in the Arsenale, an iconic location where the city's maritime history meets innovation. Five days in which the lagoon becomes a vast stage dedicated to the sea, technology, and shipbuilding excellence.

The Venice Boat Show is now one of the most anticipated events in the industry, a showcase capable of attracting shipyards, owners, professionals, and enthusiasts from around the world. This role is also strengthened thanks to the support of ICE – the Italian Trade Agency, in terms of a major communications campaign aimed at attracting foreign buyers and with a delegation of journalists and industry professionals from across Europe, contributing to the event's global positioning.

On display, a wide and top-quality offering: sailing and motorboats, yachts and superyachts, hybrid and electric boats, alongside the most advanced solutions for sustainable navigation. It's an ideal setting to present world premieres, new models, and innovative projects, with exclusive debuts both on and off the water. Alongside the exhibition, a rich program of conferences, workshops, B2B meetings, presentations, and sea trials makes the event a strategic platform for discussion and growth for the entire nautical industry.

A distinctive feature of the Show has been sustainability since its first edition. Venice presents itself as an advanced laboratory for the nautical industry of the future, including responsible innovation, emissions reduction, new propulsion systems, materials, and circular design. Over 50 events, including conferences and meetings, address key topics such as ecological transition, the blue economy, the environment, safety, and marinas. 

This concrete commitment is also reflected in the organization of the event, certified according to the ISO 20121 standard, and in the International Competition for Boat Studies and Projects – Sustainable Navigation, curated by the Venice Museum Foundation together with the City of Venice and Vela Spa. The winning projects and sustainable solutions for recreational boating and small cruise ships will then be exhibited in a dedicated space.

Furthermore, during the Venice Boat Show, the city will also be protagonist of international art thanks to the 61st Biennale Arte (May 9 - November 22), as well as a calendar of exhibitions and events that create a cultural context capable of amplifying visibility, relationships, and opportunities.

Organized by Vela Spa on behalf of the City of Venice, in collaboration with the Italian Navy, the event is supported by the Government and the Veneto Region, which have recognized it as a trade fair of international importance.

With over 30,000 visitors, more than 300 vessels, 240 of which in the water, spread in the Darsena Grande of the Arsenale, the Venice Boat Show is one of the most prestigious events in the European nautical scene and a showcase of excellence for those who want to be protagonists of the future of the sea.

More at https://www.salonenautico.venezia.it/