Southampton International Boat Show 2026 brought ten action-packed days to a close on Sunday 27 September, after Mayflower Park and the purpose-built show marina came alive with an outstanding showcase of boats, watercraft, marine innovation and everything the UK’s vibrant marine industry has to offer.
Visitors explored more than 500 watercraft, discovered the latest products and technology, got out on the water and enjoyed a packed programme of demonstrations, expert talks, live music and entertainment.
Across the show, exhibitors reported strong footfall and customer engagement, healthy sales and orders, promising enquiries and leads, and valuable opportunities to build relationships with both new and existing customers.
A total of 91,160 visitors attended this year’s show, which featured more than 25 World, UK and Show boat debuts, alongside 20 launches of new marine technology, equipment and gear.
The atmosphere extended well beyond the marina, with over 110 talks, workshops and demonstrations taking place, from Sir Robin Knox-Johnston sharing stories from a lifetime at sea to live wooden boatbuilding demonstrations and practical sessions on skills and craftsmanship. Visitors could also get afloat through sailing, powerboating, paddlesports and diving, with up to 8,000 people out on or under the water during the course of the show.
The expanded Wooden Boat Stage and new Wooden Boat Stage Afloat brought traditional and modern boatbuilding skills to life. Live music at The Shipyard, food and drink, family activities and late-night opening on Fridays and Saturdays kept the show lively throughout the day and into the evening, with Spitfire flypasts across the opening weekend and performances including Blue Water Giants adding to the atmosphere across the ten days.
Earle Stanner, Chief Executive Officer of British Marine, organiser of Southampton International Boat Show, said: “It has been fantastic to see Southampton International Boat Show come alive over the past ten days – there has been a real energy across Mayflower Park and the marina.
“One of the moments that really stood out for me was hearing that an exhibitor had completed the first boat sale within the first hour on day one. That set the tone for the show and was a great reminder of why Southampton International Boat Show matters so much to the industry – bringing businesses and customers together in a way that can turn conversations into real commercial opportunities.
“There is a lot to be proud of in 2026, and I want to thank everyone who played a part in making the show happen. We can now build on that momentum as we look ahead to 2027.”
Exhibitors reflect on Southampton 2026
Across the show, exhibitors reported strong commercial conversations, positive customer response and valuable opportunities to showcase their businesses to an engaged audience.
Oliver Southwell, Chief Executive Officer of Fairline, said: “Southampton has exceeded our expectations this year, with retail sales completing at the show ahead of our internal forecasts. Footfall and customer engagement were consistently strong every day, which reflects both the investment Fairline has made in the show and our new position on the pontoons – one we look forward to keeping for years to come.”
Luke Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of Rooster Sailing, commented: “The Southampton Boat Show remains an important fixture in Rooster’s calendar, providing a valuable platform to engage with both existing and new customers, showcase our core range and deliver strong retail trading. We have had another positive show and look forward to returning next year.”
Annie Reed, Chief Commercial Officer of Princess Yachts, added: “We have already achieved sales as a direct result of the Show, with a number of promising conversations continuing. It has been a strong event for us, enabling us to engage directly with customers here in the UK and we came away encouraged by the quality of interest and the opportunities ahead.”
With the 2026 show complete, attention is turning to 2027 and the show’s 58th edition.
Mayflower Park has been confirmed as the home of the show for at least the next three years, while Fairline, Princess and Sunseeker have also committed to exhibiting next year, with further brands expected to be announced as plans for 2027 develop.
Scott Millar, Chief Executive Officer of Sunseeker International, looked ahead to 2027: “I’m delighted to confirm Sunseeker’s attendance at SIBS 2027. As a British brand that was born on the south coast more than five decades ago, supporting our home market matters enormously to us. But it’s not about simply turning up because it’s expected, it’s about backing an industry that continues to innovate, evolve and inspire.”
Southampton International Boat Show will return from 18th to 25th September 2027, moving to a new eight-day format – intended to ease the practical and financial demands of taking part, while supporting a stronger and more varied exhibitor line-up.
British Marine will continue working in partnership with exhibitors and businesses across the marine sector in the coming months to shape the 2027 show, with a focus on bringing more brands, boats and products together at Southampton and curating engaging content and experiences that give visitors even more reasons to attend.
Earle Stanner continued: “We’re always looking at how Southampton International Boat Show can evolve. We don’t want to keep doing things the same way simply because that is how they’ve always been done.
“The 2027 format has been developed closely with our Exhibitor Advisory Group, reflecting what businesses need from the show. Moving to eight days is part of that evolution, helping us create a format that delivers greater value for exhibitors and opens the door to more brands.
“With Mayflower Park secured for the next three years, and Fairline, Princess and Sunseeker committed to exhibit next year, we have an excellent foundation to build on.”
Further details of Southampton International Boat Show 2027 will be announced over the coming months. For more information, visit www.southamptonboatshow.com.
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