Qatar Boat Show is preparing for its third edition, with Old Doha Port set to host the event from 4 to 7 November 2026.
The show has quickly become a serious fixture for the Gulf’s marine calendar, combining yacht displays, industry networking and a broader waterfront experience shaped around Doha’s hospitality scene.
For builders, brokers, owners and visitors, it arrives at a moment when Qatar is pushing further into maritime tourism and positioning Old Doha Port as a regional meeting point for the luxury marine world.
At a glance
- Qatar Boat Show 2026 returns to Old Doha Port from 4 to 7 November for its third edition.
- Confirmed exhibitors include Sunreef Yachts, Gulf Craft, Elite Yachts representing Azimut, Milaha, Romeo Marine, Fulk Yachts, Jenan Marine and Revamp Marine Equipment Doha.
- The event follows a strong 2025 edition that drew more than 27,000 visitors from 105 countries and displayed 65 boats and watercraft valued at QR880 million.
Old Doha Port takes centre stage again
Old Doha Port gives the show a setting with more character than a standard exhibition venue.
Once tied closely to Qatar’s pearl-diving and fishing history, the port has been reimagined as a waterfront destination with marinas, dining, hospitality and public spaces designed around the water.
That context matters for a boat show that wants to be more than a row of vessels on pontoons.
The 2026 edition will bring together the practical business of yacht buying, marine services and brand partnerships with a visitor experience that extends into restaurants, cafés, entertainment and evening programming.
The event is held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, reinforcing its role within Qatar’s wider maritime and tourism ambitions.
A stronger exhibitor line-up for the third edition
Several major names have already confirmed participation, giving the 2026 show a clear international profile ahead of further announcements.
Sunreef Yachts brings strong recognition in the luxury catamaran space, while Gulf Craft remains one of the region’s best-known yacht builders.
Elite Yachts will represent Azimut, adding one of the most familiar European names in contemporary motor yachts to the marina line-up.
Milaha, Romeo Marine, Fulk Yachts, Jenan Marine and Revamp Marine Equipment Doha are also among the confirmed exhibitors, creating a mix that spans builders, marine brands and equipment specialists.
That breadth is important because the event is aimed not only at owners and prospective buyers, but also at investors, operators and industry professionals looking at the Gulf as a serious marine market.
The 2025 edition showed clear commercial traction, with 95.6 percent of trade visitors saying exhibitors were relevant to their business.
Exhibitor participation also rose by 25 percent compared with the first edition, while 79 percent of exhibitors expected to close sales within 45 days of the event.
From yacht decks to Doha hospitality
The show’s 2026 theme, “Crafting Wonderful”, reflects the organisers’ attempt to position the event at the intersection of marine luxury, culture and leisure.
Visitors will be able to step aboard vessels, explore the marina and engage with brands, but the wider programme is also expected to include live performances, fireworks, drone shows and hospitality experiences around the port.
That approach is well suited to Doha, where major events are increasingly built around a complete guest journey rather than a single exhibition hall.
For travelling visitors, planning has already opened through the event website, including accommodation offers from partner hotels.
Qatar Airways has also joined as Official Travel Partner, giving international guests another route into the show experience as November approaches.
The Gulf’s marine season begins in Doha
Qatar Boat Show 2026 is scheduled to open the Gulf’s boat show season, a useful position for brands looking to meet clients before the region’s busiest winter months.
The 2025 edition welcomed more than 27,000 visitors from 105 countries and showcased 65 boats and watercraft with a combined value of QR880 million.
Those figures give the third edition a strong base, especially as more exhibitors, partners and experiences are expected to be announced in the run-up to November.
For yacht owners and buyers, the appeal is straightforward.
The event offers access to international builders and regional marine expertise in a destination that’s easy to connect with from the GCC and increasingly visible on the global luxury travel map.
For casual visitors, the draw is less technical but just as compelling, with Old Doha Port turning the show into a waterfront occasion rather than a closed industry event.
If the third edition delivers on its early momentum, Qatar Boat Show 2026 should further sharpen Doha’s role as one of the region’s most interesting maritime destinations.
