The world's largest boat show in Düsseldorf has ended
There was an excellent atmosphere in the Düsseldorf exhibition halls when boot 2026 closed its doors on Sunday after nine days: “After the difficult past few years with sluggish sales, our exhibitors are back on track. They report very good discussions and business deals at their stands. boot 2026 has once again presented itself as the international beacon and driving force of the industry,” says Marius Berlemann, COO Messe Düsseldorf.
The increased internationality on the visitor side and the high proportion of trade visitors distinguish it as the leader for the entire maritime industry. Berlemann adds: “boot 2026 thus bids farewell as a powerful catalyst, international industry meeting place and emotional highlight. The business deals are made here in Düsseldorf!”
With over 200,000 visitors from more than 110 countries, boot recorded a slight increase in visitor numbers this year. The percentage of international visitors who made their way to Düsseldorf is particularly outstanding. Around a quarter travelled from other European countries and overseas. boot 2026 also achieved an outstanding score in terms of visitor satisfaction, with almost 95 per cent enthusiastic about what the exhibitors had to offer and stating that they had achieved their objectives while visiting. Interest in the sailing boat offerings at the trade fair also rose significantly, with 25 class associations among others.
Director Petros Michelidakis: “We were excellently positioned in the sailing boat and yacht sector this year. Almost all the global players were on board with their boat premieres. In addition, we were able to attract innovative new manufacturers, with many boats being presented for the first time here in Düsseldorf.”
The range of motorboats in all classes and sizes, as well as engines and accessories, was also in high demand. Numerous boat premieres, technical innovations and new products demonstrated the strength of the industry. In addition to interest in new boats, water sports such as paddling and surfing, as well as all information and presentations related to holidays on and around the water, were particularly popular.
Michelidakis: "This year's holiday and charter presentation in the Destinations & Boatlife Hall was very well received by visitors. The diverse holiday regions simply whet the appetite for the most beautiful weeks of the year. Many of our visitors were also inspired by our wide range of houseboats and motorboat and sailing boat charters and made bookings on the spot at the trade fair."
Once again, the diving halls drew large crowds this year, with their huge range of equipment, accessories and high-tech gear, as well as the Dive Centre and the presentation of the ‘Dive Award’, which now has a wide reach and international winners. The program on stage and the action in the diving tower were absolute highlights.
For many water sports fans, their sport is also closely linked to marine and nature conservation. Accordingly, the trade fair's ‘love your ocean’ campaign in cooperation with the German Ocean Foundation, the information stands of the associations and institutions, and the international marine conservation award ‘ocean tribute’, which was presented for the eighth time this year, are in high demand – this year's winner is the ‘One Ocean Planet Foundation’ from Spain.
The boot sustainability forum, blue innovation dock (bid), in Hall 10, in cooperation with the European Boating Industry (EBI) in Brussels, is paving the way for the future of a sustainable, innovative and competitive maritime economy. At boot 2026, it was a well-attended forum for exchange between international politics, industry and research.
Petros Michelidakis: "We water sports enthusiasts love water and want to protect it. That's why marine conservation projects are particularly well received here. The unmistakable boot spirit also makes the trade fair much more than a product show – it is an experience space, a dialogue platform and a community meeting place all at once. Throughout the entire duration of the trade fair, there was an electrifying mood and a special atmosphere in the exhibition halls: open, inspiring and filled with genuine enthusiasm for the element of water – perfectly in keeping with the trade fair motto We love water.” The ‘boot for school’ program was also fully booked, in which schoolchildren were taught about the sea and water in the ‘Maritime Classroom’ – in cooperation with the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum - and were also able to try their hand at paddling, sailing, surfing and diving.
boot 2026 was the focus of international media attention. 1,810 journalists and content creators from 49 countries reported on the world's largest water sports trade fair in their media and TV channels.
A total of almost 1,500 manufacturers, dealers and destinations from 68 nations presented themselves. The next boot will open its doors from 23 to 31 January 2027.
Photo: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann
