TICKETS AND ACCESS

How to get tickets for the Cannes Yachting Festival

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Securing a ticket for the Cannes Yachting Festival is simple once you know how the system works, yet it catches out a surprising number of first-time visitors every September. There is no box office at the gates, prices vary sharply between a standard day pass and a VIP package, and some passes are only valid on certain days. This guide explains where to buy, which ticket suits your plans and how to time your purchase so that the only thing left to think about is which pontoon to explore first.

Online only, and why that matters

The most important rule is also the easiest to forget: tickets for the Cannes Yachting Festival are sold exclusively through the official online ticket office. Nothing is sold at the entrances to the Vieux Port or Port Canto, so turning up on the day with a credit card in hand simply will not work. The organisers issue e-tickets that you can print or keep on your phone, and payment is accepted by Visa or Mastercard only.

Two further details deserve attention before you pay. E-tickets are neither exchangeable nor refundable, so check your dates carefully, particularly if you are building the trip around flights or a hotel with a minimum stay. You can, however, leave the show and come back in on the same day, provided you keep hold of your ticket. That flexibility is useful if you want to step out for a long lunch in town or return to your hotel between two appointments.

Finally, buy through the official festival website rather than a third-party reseller. Official tickets are the only ones guaranteed to scan at the gate.

Visitor checking an e-ticket on her smartphone on a sunny seafront

Choosing the right ticket

The festival offers a ladder of passes, from a simple day ticket to all-inclusive VIP packages. Prices for the next edition are published when ticketing opens, several months before the show, but the 2026 rates give a reliable idea of what to expect. Children under 11 enter free, and the family pass covers two adults and two teenagers aged 11 to 18 for a single day, which is often cheaper than four separate tickets. If you are unsure, start with the length of your stay: one focused day suits most enthusiasts, while buyers comparing several shipyards usually need two.

  • One-day ticket, 40 euros in 2026, valid at both harbours
  • Two-day ticket, 65 euros, ideal if you want to see both sites without rushing
  • Family pass, 120 euros per day for two adults and two teenagers
  • Comfort ticket, 125 euros, adding VIP entrances and the VIP sea shuttle
  • Sea Access VIP, 220 euros per day, with VIP pontoon access at the Vieux Port and entry to the VIP Club
  • Silver, Gold and Platinum VIP, from around 250 euros depending on duration and services
  • Professional ticket, 60 euros for four trade days

Professional access versus public days

When a trade ticket makes sense

If you work in the marine industry, the professional ticket is one of the best-value passes on offer. In 2026 it cost 60 euros and covered the first four days of the show, from Tuesday to Friday, including access to the Business Centres. These weekdays are traditionally quieter on the pontoons, which leaves more time for proper conversations with builders, brokers and suppliers. Bear in mind that the professional pass does not cover the weekend, so anyone planning to stay on for Saturday or Sunday will need a standard public ticket as well.

What the weekend feels like

The final two days draw the largest crowds, with families, local enthusiasts and day-trippers from across the Riviera joining the buyers. The atmosphere is lively and the harbours look spectacular, but queues to board popular models grow longer and brokers have less time to spare. If your aim is to compare yachts seriously, aim for a weekday. If you simply want to soak up the spectacle, a Saturday works perfectly, especially when combined with a late lunch in the old town and an evening on the Croisette.

VIP packages, what the upgrade really buys

VIP tickets are not just about a lounge and a glass of champagne. The real value lies in time saved, smoother movement between the two harbours and a calm place to sit down between viewings. For buyers with a packed schedule, or anyone visiting in the busiest hours, that comfort can matter more than any welcome drink.

Couple walking along a marina pontoon lined with moored boats

Comfort

The entry-level upgrade combines dedicated VIP entrances with the VIP sea shuttle. On a busy day, skipping the main queue and the standard shuttle line can easily give you back an hour, which is precious when appointments are spread across both sites.

Bottle of champagne on the deck of a yacht overlooking the sea

Sea Access VIP

Designed for guests arriving by boat or staying on a charter yacht, this pass opens the VIP pontoon at the Vieux Port and the VIP Club, a calm base with views over the harbour.

Private helicopter waiting on a landing area

Silver, Gold and Platinum

The higher tiers add concierge support, courtesy cars and clubs at both ports. Platinum goes furthest, with a guided boat tour, yacht visits by appointment, lunch and a helicopter transfer from the airport.

Timing your purchase

Luxury motor yachts moored stern-to in a Mediterranean marina

Watch the release calendar

Ticketing usually opens several months before the show, and early buyers are rewarded. In 2026, the organisers ran buy one, get one free offers on one-day tickets on 8 June, 8 July and 8 August. Signing up to the official newsletter is the easiest way to catch similar promotions for the 50th edition, scheduled from 7 to 12 September 2027. VIP packages and family passes are also limited, so they are worth securing as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.

Match your ticket to your schedule

The show opens from 10am to 7pm from Tuesday to Thursday and on Saturday, stays open until 10pm on Friday and closes at 6pm on Sunday. A one-day ticket used on Friday therefore gives you three extra hours. Once your dates are fixed, it is worth sketching a rough order of visits, and our guide to planning your yacht viewings efficiently shows how to group appointments so that a single day goes further.

Before you click buy

A few practical checks will save frustration later. Make sure the name and email address on the order are correct, as your e-tickets arrive by email and are tied to the order. Download them to your phone before you leave home, since mobile signal around the harbours can slow down when tens of thousands of visitors are online at the same time. Keep a screenshot or a printed copy as a backup.

Think about luggage too. Suitcases, travel bags and backpacks larger than A3 size, roughly 40 by 30 centimetres, are not allowed inside, so anyone heading straight from the airport should drop bags at the hotel first. Our guide to getting to Cannes from Nice airport compares the transfer options if you are landing on the morning of your visit. Finally, if you plan to attend with a broker or a shipyard, ask whether they can provide an invitation: exhibitors sometimes offer passes to serious clients, which may change the ticket you actually need.

Couple walking along a palm-lined waterfront in the sun

Frequently asked questions