“This year is our 52nd edition and we’re excited by the changes which will make it unlike any previous Southampton show,” says Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine. “Our outdoor setting, with Europe’s largest temporary marina capable of hosting over 300 craft, and a new show layout which connects the water’s edge with the historic Southampton City walls and Westquay Shopping Centre has enabled us to really push the boundaries this year with a myriad of incredibly exciting features for all ages.”
One of Europe’s largest on-water events, the show offers something for everyone with hundreds of exhibitor stands and over 500 craft on display. This year sees an entirely new show layout with clearly defined zoned areas taking visitors on a journey through the different types of watersports activities. Onshore there’s a myriad of thrilling and breath-taking displays at the On The Water stage, including awe-inspiring fly boarders and jet-ski freestylers performances to wow the crowds.
On land, the new Festival Green area is host to family entertainment, with music playing throughout the day and into the early evening. With plenty of tasty and high-quality premium street food offerings, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the fun.
Visitors can get onto the water too, choosing from Rockley Watersports Get-A-Float experiences offering SUP, kayaking, and dinghy sailing, through to Try-A-Boat sessions on RIBS, powerboats, sailing yachts, and motor cruisers. The historic 1919 square-rigged Tall Ship Morgenster will sail daily from the show with visitors on board, and the passenger cruiser Island Scene will make regular passenger sailings throughout the Show.
Running over 10 days, advance tickets for the event can now be purchased online at www.southamptonboatshow.com. Tickets cost just £14 per day for key workers, NHS and emergency staff, armed forces, students, and those with other concessions, with Monday-Thursday adult tickets at £21 and tickets for both Fridays and the weekends costing £25.50 per day.
For a truly unforgettable VIP experience, the Captain’s Club offers a range of limited numbers of Gold, Silver, and Bronze packages for the most discerning visitor. These premium experiences include private entry to the show, with access to an exclusive hospitality lounge where visitors are greeted with a welcoming glass of Prosecco.
Throughout the day, Captain’s Club ticket holders will also have access to a private pay bar and, depending on the package chosen, further exclusive treats include a fine dining experience, a thirty-minute RIB ride, or a one-hour powerboat experience on a Fairline Phantom 48. Captain’s Club packages start at just £89 per person.
The show is open from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, with the Festival Green area remaining open to enjoy outdoor refreshments, food and entertainment until 9.30 pm each evening. Tickets are available now to purchase online at www.southamptonboatshow.com
The Southampton Boat Show runs from 10-19 September. The show is open from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, with the Festival Green area remaining open to enjoy outdoor refreshments, food and entertainment until 9.30 pm each evening. Tickets are available now to purchase online at www.southamptonboatshow.com
What is new at this year’s Southampton Boat Show?
The show has a new, bigger layout this year, taking over more of the city with new zones for every kind of watersport. Working in partnership with Southampton City Council, British Marine has agreed to the use of additional land stretching inland towards the Westquay shopping centre.
There will be a new entrance to the show here, the idea being to capture visitors who are in the town, possibly those who are younger and those who are new to boating. As they enter the show, they will be greeted by a series of watersports zones that cater to specific interests to give a “tailored” show experience.
The first zone will be for paddleboards, kite surfers, kayaks, and windsurfers, accompanied by a stage, street food, music, and a lively vibe, showcasing the watersports lifestyle and simplicity of getting afloat.
For the first time at the show, there will be a dedicated Dinghy Zone, for all dinghy sailors from high-performance racing to club members and dinghy cruisers.
This will flow into a Classic Boat & Day Boat Zone, celebrating vintage and modern wooden boats.
The show will then move into Mayflower Park and the marina that prior visitors will know, however, Mayflower Park itself will be bigger than before. There will be more on-the-water experiences and the natural arena between the pontoons and shore will be utilized further to create a safe and constantly active water park. There will be opportunities to demonstrate, compete and entertain, all with live commentary.
Throughout the show, there will be other new features, including stages, live music, entertainment, and guest speakers, all aiming to showcase the boating lifestyle and create a buzzing show atmosphere.
The Southampton Boat Show runs from 10-19 September. The show is open from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, with the Festival Green area remaining open to enjoy outdoor refreshments, food and entertainment until 9.30 pm each evening. Tickets are available now to purchase online at www.southamptonboatshow.com
