Valencia Boat Show gears up to break records at its next edition

The Valencia Boat Show unveiled its 17th edition at Veles e Vents. Taking place from 28 October to 1 November at Marina Port Valencia, it promises record figures and a programme that reinforces its dual ambition: to establish itself as a leading commercial platform for the marine industry and become a major city event open to everyone.

The show will stage its largest edition to date, featuring 160 boats and 140 brands, with a 15% increase in exhibitor numbers compared with the previous edition. These figures reflect the growth of an event created and managed by the marine industry itself, which, seventeen editions on, has expanded both its commercial offering and its experiences for the general public.

The Valencia Boat Show will bring together a broad selection of sailing yachts, motorboats, catamarans, RIBs, sports boats and tenders, alongside companies specialising in marine equipment, technology, maintenance and services.

Absolute Yachts, Aquila, Arksen, Azimut, Bali Catamarans, Beneteau, De Antonio Yachts, Dufour, Excess, Fountaine Pajot, Hanse, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Nautor Swan, Nimbus Boats, Prestige, Princess, Rio Yachts, Rodman, Saxdor Yachts, Sealine, Sessa Marine, Sirena Yachts, Solaris Power, Sunreef Yachts and X-Yachts are among the brands showcasing their latest models. Alongside them, the show will feature sports boats, tenders and RIBs, engines, equipment, technology, maintenance and safety solutions, and professional services.

The Floating Area will host the boats displayed on the water, with sea trials available by arrangement with the brands, while the Dry Marina will complement the commercial offering with boats on land and companies providing accessories, equipment and services.

Under the slogan “The sea is here. The sea is Valencia”, the Valencia Boat Show is taking another step in its evolution as a Mediterranean festival, aiming to bring boating culture to the wider community and offer different ways to enjoy the sea, including for those who have never been afloat.

To achieve this, the show will feature two distinct areas with free admission. The Expo Zone will bring together clubs, schools, federations, tourist destinations and activities related to water sports, training and leisure boating. Alongside it, Dock & Roll, located in Plaza de la Sal, will introduce a programme of food, concerts, DJ sets, crafts and family activities.

The programme will include boat trips, activities organised by the Sailing Federation of the Valencian Community, a lateen sailing regatta, nautical training opportunities and free visits aboard the schooner Tirant Primer. On Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, two vessels from the armed forces and maritime rescue services are also scheduled to attend, giving visitors an insight into safety and rescue operations at sea: a 20-metre Salvamar rescue vessel operated by Salvamento Marítimo and the 30-metre Spanish Navy vessel Formentor.

Saudade Sailing Club will also organise sailing trips open to the public from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October, women’s sailing training sessions, technical talks and boating gatherings.

The main addition to the leisure programme will be Dock & Roll, a space open to everyone, featuring food trucks, a craft and design market, and music throughout the five days.

Alegal’s after-work events will open the programme on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday 30 October, DJs from Beso Beach Formentera will host a special session, followed by Strange Boy b2b Elena Megi.

On Saturday 31 October, coinciding with Halloween, there will be children’s pizza workshops, a DJ school, Catrina face painting and musical performances by Mila Lo Coco, DJ MK and Toxicosmos. On Sunday 1 November, Bamboleo will round off the music programme with an acoustic rumba concert.

The weekend will also feature concerts by Karavana and Anabel Lee on Saturday 31 October as part of Concerts de La Pèrgola.

The launch brought together Isabel Gil Forteza, Director of the Valencia Boat Show and President of the Union of Nautical Businesses (UEN); Jordi Carrasco, Director General of the Spanish Marine Trade Association (ANEN), the national industry association becoming directly involved in the event for the first time; Santiago Donat, Director of Marina Port Valencia; Gustavo Benavent, Director General of Valencia Mar; Tono Franco, Managing Director of the Visit València Foundation; and Luis Cervera Torres, Director General for Sport at the Generalitat Valenciana.

The presence of representatives from the industry, businesses, marinas and public institutions highlighted the collaborative nature of a project whose growth relies on everyone involved in developing the Valencian marine sector.

“We want the Valencia Boat Show to be a meeting point with the sea for everyone. Anyone looking for a boat will find one of the most comprehensive selections in our history; anyone interested in the industry will be able to discover everything behind it; and anyone who simply wants to enjoy the sea will also have plenty of reasons to come along,” explains Isabel Gil Forteza, Director of the Valencia Boat Show and President of the Union of Nautical Businesses (UEN), the event’s organiser.

Business remains one of the show’s main pillars. At the 2025 edition, 35% of surveyed exhibitors reported closing sales during the event, with transactions ranging from €10,000 to more than €300,000.

Behind the Valencia Boat Show’s growth lies a distinctive feature that is central to its identity: the event was born within the marine industry itself.

Established in 2008 and organised by the Union of Nautical Businesses (UEN), the show was created to meet companies’ commercial needs and contribute to the sector’s development in the Valencian Community. It is also a non-profit initiative, with resources reinvested in the event, its promotion and services for exhibitors and visitors.

Its development has been made possible by collaboration between the private sector and public institutions, with the Generalitat Valenciana providing a key part of the institutional support for an event that promotes water sports, business activity and the Valencian Community’s profile as a Mediterranean destination.

The show has Marina Port Valencia as its Premium Partner, with sponsorship from Valencia Mar, Visit Valencia, Helly Hansen and Valencia Port. It also receives institutional support from the Generalitat Valenciana, the Diputació de València, València Turisme and Valencia City Council, alongside collaboration from Veles e Vents, Grupo La Sucursal, the Sailing Federation of the Valencian Community, ANEN, Miobio and Alegal.

This collaboration takes on particular significance in an edition featuring ANEN’s direct involvement for the first time, strengthening Marina Port Valencia’s role as a leading boating venue and establishing Veles e Vents as the heart of the show, alongside Valencia Mar’s ongoing commitment since 2018.

With its 17th edition, the Valencia Boat Show aims to continue driving business in the marine sector while establishing itself as an event where everyone can discover and enjoy the Mediterranean.