The Barcelona Boat Show prepares for an edition with the spirit of the America's Cup

The Barcelona Boat Show prepares for an edition with the spirit of the America's Cup

The 61st edition of the International Barcelona Boat Show is about to set sail and promises to immerse sailing enthusiasts in the experience of hosting one of the world's most prominent sporting events, second only to the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. This event will not only bring together a wide range of boats and nautical enthusiasts at Port Vell during October but will also bring the America's Cup closer to the city through exhibitions, talks, and experiences.

From October 11th to 15th, the Marina Port Vell, Fusta, and España docks in the Catalan capital will once again become the epicenter of the nautical world, offering the leading showcase in Spain and Europe. Beyond presenting the latest models and innovations in boats, the show will provide an authentic atmosphere of the America's Cup through exhibitions, conferences, and experiences designed to bring this prestigious competition closer to fans, families, and sea lovers.

Among the highlighted attractions, there will be an opportunity to visit the "America's Cup Experience," an immersive exhibition space that will open its doors in early August. Here, visitors will be able to experience the sensations of sailing aboard an AC75 monohull sailboat, similar to those that will compete in the waters off the Barcelona coast during the America's Cup, thanks to a virtual reality simulator.

Furthermore, the location of the nautical team bases for the 37th America's Cup has led to a new layout for the Barcelona Boat Show's offerings. For example, the base of the Ineos Britannia team has been established in a significant part of the España dock. This means that motor yachts will dock at the Marina Port Vell and España docks, while the Fusta dock will host sailboats, catamarans, and a variety of nautical accessories.

The event's president, Luis Conde, emphasized the importance of the America's Cup being part of this edition, as it adds exceptional value to the show by allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the spirit of a globally significant event for sailing and the city of Barcelona.

A Sustainable Focus in Nautical

On the other hand, the Barcelona Boat Show will focus on sustainability, innovation, and electrification as drivers of the transition towards the "blue economy" in the world of nautical activities. Organized by Fira de Barcelona in collaboration with the National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN), the event will feature the participation of more than 220 exhibitors and showcase around 700 boats, of which 160 will be afloat.

In addition to presenting the latest developments in the nautical world, the Barcelona Boat Show will offer a variety of activities to promote the practice of sports and recreational navigation, as well as to attract new audiences. Josep Antoni Llopart, the event's director, highlighted that this edition will bring nautical activities closer to all enthusiasts and promote business in a sector of great relevance for high-quality tourism in Spain.

Jordi Carrasco, General Director of ANEN, emphasized that society seeks to enjoy the sea, and companies in the sector have options and experience to satisfy all user profiles. The Barcelona Boat Show will provide an extraordinary opportunity to get closer to the sea and experience the prelude to the major event in the world of nautical sports, which is the America's Cup.

In summary, this annual event is consolidating itself as a key platform for boosting sales in a sector that has experienced a 7.3% increase in registrations in the first six months of the year. The rental boat market's performance is particularly noteworthy, representing nearly 40% of the total during that period.