boot Dusseldorf 2026: Our editor’s highlights from the world’s largest indoor marine trade fair

The Powerboat & RIB team and its exclusive film partner, Tide Creative Group, were present in full force at this year’s boot Dusseldorf, reporting, and filming in earnest over the course of the nine-day boat show. And what a show it was! With some 1,810 journalists and content creators present from 49 countries reporting on what is the world’s largest water sports trade fair, which this year, saw just shy of 1,500 manufacturers and dealers exhibiting from 68 different countries from around the globe.

What impressed all of us was the degree of enthusiasm for the pastime generally. This was really encouraging to witness. Each morning, well before doors were due to open, hundreds of people could be seen queuing at the gates in order to get their first glimpse of the thousands of exhibits and many debuts and world launches from every sector of the boating industry. There truly was an exceptionally positive vibe throughout the entire event no matter which of the giant halls one entered.

With over 200,000 visitors from more than 110 countries visiting the show this year, visitor figures were even up on last year’s highly successful Düsseldorf boot. Amongst them, the percentage of international visitors too was particularly outstanding. In fact, around a quarter travelled from other European countries outside Germany to attend. But though people came from all around the world to savour the experience unique to this annual boating and water-sports extravaganza, surprisingly few people from the UK chose to attend – despite the fact, from Heathrow at least, journey time represents a one-hour flight and a 15-minute taxi ride directly into the show.

According to the show organiser, almost 95% of those attending this year’s show, gave the feedback that they loved what they experienced and felt their objectives were more than met. I for one can believe that to be so.

The range of motorboats in all classes and sizes, as well as engines and accessories, once again proved to be in high demand, with numerous boat premieres, technical innovations, and new products demonstrating the strength of the European industry. In addition to interest in new boats, water sports pastimes such as paddling and surfing, as well as holidays on and around the water, proved particularly popular.

The diving halls once again drew big crowds, with the program on stage and the action in the diving tower proving absolute highlights. The huge range of equipment, accessories, and high-tech gear in these halls was outstanding. For many water-sports fans, their pastime 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, saw the international marine conservation award, ‘Ocean Tribute’, being presented to the ‘One Ocean Planet Foundation’ from Spain.

If you’re wishing to explore the market with the view to buying, then Düsseldorf boot is a great event to attend, from the standpoint of having the opportunity of being able to compare a whole host of boats within the same class or sector of the market. This is invaluable in making the necessary comparisons. And particularly if you attend over the first three to four days of the show, you’re highly likely to be able to meet the actual creators and designers of these craft too.

Importantly, on our travels around the show, we found the staff working on the stands to be courteous and helpful. I noticed how in nearly all cases, they were keen to engage with visitors and give their time accordingly. Two other things of note to mention too: the food outlets serve a selection of well-priced freshly prepared, healthy food, including hot dishes – something quite rare at many events these days. And for the journalists in attendance, the press facilities and associated hospitality are the best of any to be found at any international maritime event in my view. I would like to say a personal thank you to the organisers that the media are made to feel valued and are cared for with such appreciation.

So, well done Düsseldorf boot 2026. You did it again! A wonderful event and an outstanding catalyst to drive the pastime of boating in general.

If you haven’t yet attended this show, then I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s just what’s needed to blow away the winter cobwebs and welcome aboard the spring with all that the new season holds.

The next boot Düsseldorf next boot will open its doors from 23 to 31 January 2027.