Cannes Yachting Festival, Innovation Route and “Innovation Awards”
Cannes Yachting Festival reintroduces, for the 2026 edition from September 8 to 13, the Innovation Route and for the second time its Innovation Route Awards. Thanks to a dedicated path in the Vieux Port and at Port Canto , this program identifies and enhances the most innovative and sustainable solutions presented by exhibitors.
In a particularly delicate moment for the nautical sector, driven by the search to reduce emissions and the design of new sustainable materials, innovation becomes a strategic challenge for the entire industry. New technologies, particularly in the field of electric and hybrid propulsion, open new perspectives for both manufacturers and boaters, as vessels equipped with electric engines represent one of the main levers for growth and innovation in boating.
The Cannes Yachting Festival, always attentive to the respect for the marine environment, through the Innovation Route and its Awards, strengthens its commitment to innovative and sustainable recreational boating.
Cannes Yachting Festival: Innovation Route and Innovation Awards
In the context of the Cannes Yachting Festival, both in the exhibition area of the Vieux Port and at Port Canto, visitors will easily identify exhibitors contributing to the sustainable transformation in boating. All this through dedicated communication and specific signage; this allows for easy identification and comparison of innovations throughout their journey.
The Innovation Route Awards will reward the most deserving projects in four categories:
- The best equipment to optimize navigation
- The best sustainable product
- The best innovative vessel
- The best CSR initiative
A jury composed of professionals and international journalists will select the winners, who will be revealed on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 during the Exhibitors’ Cocktail. A special award called “Jury’s Coup de cœur” may also be granted.
«With the Innovation Route, the Cannes Yachting Festival highlights innovations that shape the future of boating. This program allows both to guide visitors in discovering new solutions in the sector and to offer greater visibility to exhibitors engaged in this transformation. In addition to its role as a showcase for the French and international nautical industry, the Festival asserts its commitment to the sustainable transition of the sector. Registration is free until the next July 17, I strongly encourage our exhibitors to submit their applications», emphasizes Constance Brément, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival.
