Visitors have a few days left to secure early bird tickets for the Southampton International Boat Show, before rates increase next month.
The 57th edition of the UK’s largest boating showcase returns to Mayflower Park from 18-27 September 2026. British Marine expects over 90,000 visitors across the ten-day event.
Early Bird Deadline Approaches
Early bird tickets start at £13 for general admission, representing savings compared to standard prices of £33 peak and £29 off-peak. Groups of ten or more receive an additional 10 per cent discount.
Ticket Deadline: Early bird prices expire 31 January 2026. Book tickets
Super early bird options have already sold out. The pricing structure follows a tiered system, with costs increasing gradually until reaching gate prices in September.
Confirmed Exhibitors and Fleet
The show marina will accommodate over 250 boats across multiple zones. Fairline has confirmed attendance and plans to bring a fleet of luxury motor yachts to Southampton.
Suzuki Marine and Yamaha have secured exhibition space. Mark Beeley, Head of Marine and ATV at Suzuki GB PLC, confirmed the show remains their key platform for engaging with customers and dealers.
The Southampton International Boat Show remains the key platform for Suzuki Marine to engage with customers, dealers and boat builder partners. We’re pleased to be part of the 2026 show and look forward to showcasing our latest marine technology.
The Wolf Rock Boat Company will return to showcase brands to trade and retail customers. The company called Southampton a unique opportunity for product demonstrations.
Show Layout and Zones
The 2026 layout retains the zoned structure introduced in previous editions. The show spans 50,000 square metres of docks at Mayflower Park.
Confirmed zones include the Show Marina with 250-plus boats, the Shipyard featuring live music and street food, and the New Wave Hall for retail brands. The Powerhub returns for marine technology demonstrations.
Boats in Marina
Brands Exhibiting
Expected Visitors
Days of Events
The Watersports Zone will offer taster sessions in paddleboarding, dinghy sailing, kayaking, canoeing and diving. The On-The-Water Stage hosts stunt shows and demonstrations throughout the event.
2025 Edition Results
The 2025 show welcomed 91,200 visitors across ten days. Post-show surveys indicated 77 per cent of attendees were boat owners, while 83 per cent were returning visitors.
The visitor demographic skewed heavily towards A/B categories at 78 per cent. British Marine reported 83 per cent of respondents intended to make purchases at the show.
Activities and Entertainment
The Shipyard will host daily live music alongside food vendors. The Boating Academy Stage features talks and interviews covering topics from powerboat racing to wooden boat construction.
Free boat try-outs allow visitors to experience vessels on the Solent. The schedule includes expert sessions on cruising, maintenance and navigation.
The Quayside Club offers VIP access with waterfront views, premium bar service and complimentary refreshments.
Industry Significance
Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, described the show as vital for bringing the marine industry together. The organisation focuses on supporting business growth and engagement across the sector.
As we look ahead to 2026, our focus is on delivering an event that supports business growth, innovation and engagement across the industry, while continuing to offer a compelling experience for visitors.
Exhibitor bookings for 2026 remain open. British Marine advises companies to register interest promptly to secure preferred exhibition spaces.
Visitor Information
The show operates from 10:00 to 18:00 daily between 18-27 September 2026. Tickets purchased in advance provide access to all zones, stages and the marina.
Carers assisting guests with disabilities receive complimentary admission. Group bookings of ten or more qualify for 10 per cent discounts on early bird rates.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
