From the quays Prince Albert I began in 1901 to the 35th edition in September 2026, the harbour and the show that fills it, year by year.
Before the show, there was the harbour. Work on the two quays that still form the main walls of Port Hercule began on 2 July 1901 under Prince Albert I, and was completed in 1926. In August 2002 a 352-metre semi-floating dike was towed in, and the marina in front of Quai Louis II was built between 2005 and 2011.
When did the Monaco Yacht Show begin?
In 1991. The show describes Port Hercule as "transformed into a showcase" every year since then. Who founded it is not settled: some sources name the French entrepreneur Maurice Cohen of Media Plus, others name Luc Pettavino, who ran the show for eighteen years. The rights passed to IIR in 1994, and Informa bought IIR in 2005.
Source: Wikipedia (2002, 2016); CNN (2019, 2022); Monaco Yacht Show (2021, 2023–2026). 2020 cancelled.
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Posters: Monaco Yacht Show. 1993 and 2025–26 are missing from our set; there was no show in 2020.
What changed over the years?
The 20th edition came in 2010, when Gaëlle Tallarida became managing director. In 2016 the show held 125 yachts and launched its Car Deck. In 2020 it was cancelled because of Covid, and the 30th edition followed in 2021 with a new format. In 2022 AHPO, at 115.1 metres, was called the largest superyacht ever exhibited there; in 2024 Kismet, at 122 metres, was the longest new yacht in the show.
Disclosure: The Art of Yachts works with Lürssen. AHPO and Kismet were built by Lürssen.
Questions
When was the first Monaco Yacht Show?
In 1991, in Port Hercule, according to the show itself.
Who owns the Monaco Yacht Show?
Informa, which bought the previous owner IIR in 2005; the 2026 show was organised by Informa Prestige.
Was the Monaco Yacht Show ever cancelled?
Yes, in 2020, because of Covid; the 30th edition was held in 2021.
Sources: Monaco Yacht Show, About the MYS · Monte-Carlo, Port Hercule · Ports of Monaco (SEPM), Port Hercule · Wikipedia, Monaco Yacht Show · Money Inc, The history of the Monaco Yacht Show (24 Sep 2021) · SuperyachtNews, Making the market: the Monaco Yacht Show (19 Sep 2024) · Megayacht News, Luc Pettavino and the Monaco Yacht Show (10 May 2010) · BOAT International, Monaco Yacht Show 2020 cancelled · Monaco Yacht Show, MYS 2021 (7 Oct 2021) · CNN, Monaco Yacht Show 2022 (1 Oct 2022) · MYS Market Report 2024, SuperYacht Times · Monaco Yacht Show, 2026 superyacht list (17 Jul 2026) · Monaco Yacht Show, Key figures of the 2023 MYS (27 Sep 2023) · Monaco Yacht Show, 2024 wrap-up (23 Oct 2024) · Monaco Yacht Show, 2025 wrap-up (1 Oct 2025)