The Monaco Yacht Show has become far more than a showcase of the world’s most impressive yachts. After more than three decades of evolution, it has developed into one of the industry’s most important meeting points for owners, shipyards, designers, brokers, charter specialists and luxury-service companies.
The 2026 edition arrives against a complicated economic and geopolitical backdrop. Inflation, interest-rate uncertainty, trade tensions and international conflicts continue to influence business decisions. Yet the superyacht market remains remarkably resilient.
The clearest message from the latest market data is that the industry is changing rather than contracting.
There are fewer yachts in construction or on order than at the post-pandemic peak, but the yachts being built are becoming significantly larger and more complex. At the same time, brokerage sales have accelerated, charter demand continues to expand and refit facilities are operating under increasing pressure.
For Monaco, that creates an intriguing combination: a market that is becoming more selective, more sophisticated and increasingly focused on larger assets.
116 Superyachts Set the Stage for Monaco 2026
The 2026 Monaco Yacht Show fleet comprises 116 superyachts, representing a combined length of 5,508 metres and a total gross tonnage of 78,756GT.
The average yacht measures 47.5 metres, with an average gross tonnage of 679GT, an average beam of 9.37 metres and an average draught of 2.77 metres.
The average age of the fleet is just 5.9 years, highlighting the concentration of relatively young and modern yachts at the show.
The fleet is valued at approximately €4.5 billion.
Of the 116 yachts:
- 104 are motor yachts
- 12 are sailing yachts
- 5 are multihulls
- 77 are semi-custom yachts
- 49 are new yachts
- 67 are used yachts
- 71 are for sale
The fleet also demonstrates the continuing importance of larger yachts. The show includes 27 yachts below 24 metres, 36 between 24 and 30 metres, 11 between 30 and 40 metres, 16 between 40 and 50 metres, 22 between 50 and 70 metres and four yachts above 70 metres.
The result is a Monaco fleet that reflects the direction of the wider market: fewer small projects, greater concentration at the upper end and increasingly sophisticated yachts.
From 32 Yachts to a Global Superyacht Showcase
The transformation of the Monaco Yacht Show over the past 35 years has been extraordinary.
The inaugural event in 1991 featured 32 yachts exceeding 20 metres, with the 105-metre Lady Moura among the major attractions.
By the beginning of the millennium, the event was already welcoming approximately 15,000 international visitors and 300 exhibitors.
The show continued moving towards larger yachts. In 2015, 21 yachts above 60 metres were displayed, with the 85.1-metre Solandge representing the largest yacht in that category.
In another milestone, the show eventually welcomed more than 125 yachts, while visitor numbers reached 31,565.
The 2020 global pandemic temporarily interrupted the physical event, pushing the industry towards private and digital presentations.
More recently, the 123.2-metre Golden Odyssey became the largest yacht ever displayed at Monaco Yacht Show.
The 2025 edition featured 113 yachts above 24 metres, despite the last-minute sale of Feadship’s 118.8-metre Breakthrough, which still appeared offshore.
The trajectory is clear: Monaco has evolved from a boutique exhibition into one of the world’s definitive superyacht platforms.
The Global Market: Fewer Projects, Bigger Yachts
The global order book reveals one of the most important structural changes taking place in the industry.
At the beginning of 2026, there were 1,093 superyachts over 24 metres under construction or on order worldwide.
That represents a decline from:
- 1,138 projects in 2025
- 1,203 projects in 2023, the post-pandemic peak
But the headline number can be misleading.
The average length of yachts under construction has increased from 38.5 metres in 2023 to 40.8 metres in 2026.
Average volume has also increased to 551GT, representing an 8.7% increase compared with the previous year.
In other words, fewer hulls are occupying more shipyard capacity.
The market is increasingly being driven by larger custom yachts, bigger semi-custom series and projects designed to maximise volume while remaining below important regulatory thresholds.
Of the 932 yachts below 500GT in the current order book, 156 are targeting 499GT.
This reflects a growing focus on maximising the experience and volume available within specific regulatory and operational limits.
The Rise of the 70-Metre Superyacht
The largest segment of the market continues to expand.
In 2006, only 18 yachts above 70 metres were under construction.
Twenty years later, the figure has reached 67.
The 2026 order book also contains 26 yachts exceeding 100 metres.
At the other end of the spectrum, the number of projects between 24 and 30 metres continues to decline.
This shift towards larger yachts is one of the defining characteristics of today’s market.
It is also visible in shipyard infrastructure, with builders investing in larger sheds, new properties and facilities capable of handling increasingly ambitious projects.
Italy Remains the World’s Leading Builder Nation
Italy continues to dominate global superyacht production.
The top three builder nations remain:
- Italy
- Turkey
- The Netherlands
Italy has 568 projects under construction or on order, representing 22,299 metres of yacht production and an average project length of 39.3 metres.
Turkey follows with 141 projects, 6,315 metres of total length and an average length of 44.8 metres.
The Netherlands has 66 projects, totalling 4,341 metres, with an impressive average length of 65.8 metres.
Other significant builder nations include Taiwan, Germany, the UK, the United States, the UAE, Poland, Brazil, China, Greece, France, Finland, Spain, Croatia, Malaysia, Norway, South Africa and Canada.
Germany stands out for its particularly high average project length of 100 metres, while Norway has one project averaging 195 metres.
Malaysia also deserves attention, entering the world’s top 20 builder nations for the first time with seven projects.
The Shipyards Behind the Order Book
The shipyard landscape is also evolving.
There are 190 active shipyards building superyachts in 2026, five more than the previous year.
Remarkably, 49 shipyards are currently building their largest vessels ever.
Among the major names shaping the global market, Azimut-Benetti remains the largest producer, with 99 Azimut projects above 24 metres and 64 Benetti superyachts.
Sanlorenzo occupies second position, with its production increasing by 5.32%. Its output includes approximately 4,398 metres of motor yachts, alongside 300 metres of sailing yachts at Nautor Swan.
Lürssen occupies third place in the official ranking, having moved ahead of Feadship and The Italian Sea Group.
The wider market also includes major custom projects, including a new 130-metre Oceanco superyacht exceeding 11,000GT.
Sailing Yachts Hold Their Ground
Despite the dominance of motor yachts, sailing remains an important part of the global new-build market.
There are 69 sailing superyachts on order, only two fewer than in 2025.
Including the 106-metre wind-assisted Project MG, the figure reaches 70 projects.
The largest sailing yacht currently under construction is the 130-metre Project Vela, being launched in 2026 by Brodotrogir in Croatia.
The continued presence of large sailing yachts demonstrates that the appetite for traditional wind-powered cruising remains strong, particularly at the high end of the market.
Brokerage: 2026 Is Becoming a Year of Deals
While the new-build market is undergoing a correction, the brokerage sector has delivered a much stronger performance.
During the first half of 2026, 281 yachts of 24 metres and above were sold.
That includes:
- 129 sales in Q1
- 152 sales in Q2
The result is already ahead of the same period in previous years:
- 2025 H1: 272 sales
- 2024 H1: 225 sales
The value of those transactions is even more striking.
Brokerage sales during the first half of 2026 reached approximately €4.05 billion.
That compares with:
- €3.61 billion in H1 2025
- €2.21 billion in H1 2024
The average asking value represented in the market was approximately €14.4 million, compared with €13.28 million in 2025 and €9.83 million in 2024.
Bigger Boats, Bigger Transactions
The brokerage market is increasingly favouring larger yachts.
Sales of yachts between 40 and 50 metres increased by 10%, while the 50-70 metre segment jumped by 52.9% compared with H1 2025.
By comparison, the 24-40 metre segment grew by only 3.8%, while sales of 30-40 metre yachts declined by approximately 6%.
Sales of yachts above 70 metres also declined modestly, with two fewer transactions than during the corresponding period of 2025.
The figures suggest a market where larger assets are attracting particularly strong attention, although supply levels remain an important factor.
The Biggest Brokerage Deals of 2026
The most valuable transaction recorded during the first half of the year was the sale of the 100.7-metre Feadship Moonrise.
The yacht had been asking approximately €325 million at the time of the sale.
The second nine-figure transaction involved the 89-metre Amels Mirage, formerly Here Comes the Sun, reportedly sold for approximately €165 million.
Other major transactions included:
- 66.3-metre Feadship Hampshire — asking €85 million
- 61-metre Jubilee — formerly Just J’s — asking €73.5 million
These transactions reinforce Monaco’s importance as a marketplace where some of the world’s largest private yachts change hands.
Charter Market Continues to Expand
The charter market is following another important trend.
Between 2023 and 2025, charter bookings increased by 10.28%, reaching 13,812 charters for yachts over 20 metres.
The average charter booking lasted 8.2 days, while the average yacht booked measured approximately 34.3 metres.
The charter fleet itself has expanded by 9.33% since 2023, following several years in which demand exceeded available supply.
That additional supply is likely to increase competition and place greater pressure on pricing.
Well-managed fleets with strong marketing, competitive pricing and differentiated experiences are therefore expected to have an advantage.
Adventure, Wellness and Sustainability Drive Charter Demand
The modern charter client is looking for more than traditional luxury cruising.
Growing demand is being reported for:
- Adventure
- Wellness
- Sustainability
- Remote destinations
- Larger yachts
- More personalised experiences
Traditional cruising routes remain dominant, particularly the Mediterranean-Caribbean circuit.
During summer, the French Riviera and Monaco, Corsica and Sardinia remain among the leading destinations.
Italy’s northern mainland and Provence are also important summer markets.
During winter, the Dominican Republic, Leeward Islands, Bahamas, Windward Islands and British Virgin Islands remain highly popular.
But a new generation of destinations is emerging.
The Next Generation of Yacht Destinations
Emerging summer destinations include:
- Canada’s west coast
- Ireland
- Galápagos Islands
- Colombia
- Bali
- Southeast Asia
- Denmark
- The Netherlands
- Australia’s west coast and Kimberley region
- New Zealand
Emerging winter destinations include:
- Denmark
- Mexico’s east coast
- Colombia
- Mexico’s west coast
- Brazil
- Uruguay
- Cyprus
- Red Sea
- Malta
- Ecuador
The Red Sea and Saudi Arabia are particularly significant developments as new markets continue opening to international charter activity.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia have both taken steps towards liberalising their charter markets, although geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have affected visitor numbers.
Greece is another important example. Its introduction of an e-CharterPermission scheme has helped facilitate charter activity by foreign-flagged yachts above 35 metres, provided they meet the applicable requirements.
Refit: The Hidden Engine of the Superyacht Economy
Every superyacht eventually returns to a shipyard.
Whether for warranty work, routine maintenance, classification, technical upgrades, refurbishment, conversion or a complete transformation, refit is an essential part of the yacht lifecycle.
In 2025, approximately 39.8% of superyachts above 30 metres underwent some form of work.
That represents approximately 2,604 yachts.
The number of individual shipyard visits was even higher: 3,623 visits, reflecting the fact that some yachts entered shipyards multiple times during the year.
The work was carried out across 112 shipyards.
Where Are Superyachts Going for Refit?
The United States and Mediterranean remain the dominant refit regions.
The five leading markets accounted for 87.6% of shipyard visits involving yachts above 30 metres:
- Florida — 29.9%
- Western Mediterranean, west of Monaco — 28.5%
- Western Mediterranean, east of Monaco — 20.3%
- Italy/other regional activity as reflected in the market distribution
- France and Greece forming additional major Mediterranean centres
Florida recorded 1,084 visits, with an average yacht length of 41.6 metres.
The western Mediterranean west of Monaco recorded 1,034 visits, with an average yacht length of 49 metres.
The eastern western-Mediterranean category recorded 736 visits, with an average yacht length of 44.5 metres.
The Eastern Mediterranean is also becoming increasingly important, accounting for 13.7% of annual shipyard visits.
Northern Europe accounted for 2.3%, with 83 visits and an average yacht length of 66.5 metres.
The Pacific Rim represented 1.9%, with 68 visits and an average length of 39.6 metres.
The East Coast of America represented 2.1%, with 76 visits and an average length of 44.1 metres, while the West Coast accounted for 1.2%, with 44 visits and an average length of 39.3 metres.
Capacity Is Becoming the New Challenge
The greatest constraint facing the refit market may not be demand — it is space.
Established refit hubs are approaching capacity, creating opportunities for new facilities and emerging destinations.
At the same time, the industry remains exposed to supply-chain disruptions.
Refits can require thousands of replacement components at short notice, making them particularly vulnerable to delays and geopolitical disruption.
Shipyards and refit specialists are responding by strengthening relationships with equipment manufacturers, increasing inventories of critical parts and investing in digital inventory systems and predictive maintenance.
The result is likely to be a more technologically advanced and geographically diversified refit industry.
Wealth Continues to Support the Market
Behind the superyacht market is a broader story of global wealth.
Global personal wealth increased by approximately 10% during 2025, compared with growth of 4.6% in 2024 and 4.2% in 2023.
The number of billionaires increased by 13.1%, reaching more than 3,300 worldwide.
The population of individuals with wealth between $50 million and $100 million expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 7.3% between 2020 and 2025.
In mainland China, this wealth segment increased by more than 25%.
Economic growth itself is considerably slower.
Global economic growth is forecast at approximately 2.5% in 2026, increasing to 2.8% in 2027-28.
The United States is expected to grow by approximately 2.1%, while China’s economy is forecast to expand by 4.7%.
For the superyacht sector, however, accumulated wealth can be more important than annual GDP growth.
This helps explain why the industry continues to demonstrate resilience despite a difficult macroeconomic environment.
What the Numbers Really Tell Us
The 2026 market is not simply smaller or larger than previous years.
It is different.
The number of yachts under construction or on order has declined by approximately 3.95%, but the average yacht has grown to 40.8 metres, while average volume has reached 551GT.
The global order book has moved from 1,203 projects in 2023 to 1,138 in 2025 and 1,093 in 2026.
At the same time, the total global fleet has continued to expand.
There are now approximately 13,866 yachts measuring 24 metres and above worldwide, comprising approximately 11,905 motor yachts, 1,961 sailing yachts and 259 multihulls.
Together, these yachts represent approximately 466,271 metres of total length — equivalent to roughly 140 laps of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit.
Monaco 2026: A Market Entering Its Next Chapter
The numbers point towards a superyacht industry entering a more mature phase.
The extraordinary post-pandemic surge has moderated. New-build volumes are lower than their 2023 peak, but the yachts being commissioned are becoming larger and more sophisticated.
Brokerage is performing strongly.
Charter is expanding.
Refit demand is pushing established shipyards towards capacity.
New cruising destinations are emerging.
And the global fleet continues to grow.
For owners, this means a market offering increasingly sophisticated opportunities. For shipyards, it means adapting infrastructure to larger and more complex projects. For brokers, charter companies and service providers, it means competing for an increasingly discerning international clientele.
And for Monaco, it reinforces the role of the Monaco Yacht Show as one of the industry’s most important annual crossroads.
The message from the 2026 market is therefore remarkably clear:
The superyacht industry may be becoming more selective — but it is certainly not standing still.
The yachts are getting bigger.
The experiences are becoming more ambitious.
The market is becoming more global.
And the world’s attention will once again turn to Monaco.
