FLIBS 2026: Key Facts at a Glance
| Event | Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) 2026 |
| Edition | 67th annual edition |
| Dates | Wednesday, October 28 - Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
| Location | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA |
| Duration | 5 days |
| Annual Visitors | Approximately 100,000 |
| Boats on Display | Approximately 1,300+ vessels |
| Estimated Value | Approximately $4 billion in yachts and marine products |
| Show Type | Public luxury boat and yacht show; largest in-water boat show in the world |
| Tickets | Available online only at flibs.com; from $48 (1-day general admission) |
| Parking | Complimentary water taxis, shuttles, and riverboats between all show venues |
| Admission note | Children under 6 enter free with a paying adult |
What Is the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, known universally as FLIBS, is the largest in-water boat show in the world. It has been running annually since 1959 and in 2026 returns for its 67th edition. The show takes place across six interconnected waterfront venues in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and draws approximately 100,000 visitors over five days each October and November.
FLIBS is not just a trade event. It is open to the public, and it serves as the defining annual gathering for everyone who works in or is curious about the yachting world: builders, brokers, buyers, charter clients, marine technology companies, accessory brands, and yachting enthusiasts at every level of experience. The show displays around 1,300 vessels and an estimated $4 billion worth of boats and marine products each year.
For anyone considering buying a yacht, chartering for the first time, or simply wanting to step aboard some of the most impressive boats in the world, there is no better single event to attend. Fort Lauderdale, where AK Yachts is based, is the center of the US yachting industry year-round, and FLIBS is when that industry is on full display.
FLIBS 2026 Dates and Opening Hours
The 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs from Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. Wednesday is a preview day with limited hours and a separate ticket requirement. Thursday through Sunday are full general admission days.
| Day | Hours | Ticket Valid |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 28 (Prime Preview Day) | 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Wednesday Preview or Windward VIP only |
| Thursday, October 29 | 10:00 am - 7:00 pm | All ticket types |
| Friday, October 30 | 10:00 am - 7:00 pm | All ticket types |
| Saturday, October 31 | 10:00 am - 7:00 pm | All ticket types |
| Sunday, November 1 | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | All ticket types |
FLIBS 2026 Tickets and Pricing
Tickets for the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show are sold exclusively online. There are no box office sales at the venue. Purchase in advance at flibs.com to secure entry, particularly for the Wednesday preview day and for the Windward VIP Experience, which has limited capacity.
| Ticket Type | Price | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Preview Ticket (Adult) | $73 | Any one day, Wednesday through Sunday |
| Adult 2-Day Preview + General Admission | $105 | Any two days, Wednesday through Sunday |
| Adult 2-Day General Admission | $80 | Any two days, Thursday through Sunday |
| Adult 1-Day General Admission | $48 | One day, Thursday through Sunday |
| Child 1-Day General Admission (ages 6-12) | $19 | One day, Wednesday through Sunday |
| Children under 6 | Free | Free entry with a paying adult, all days |
| Windward VIP Experience | $459 | One day (any); Windward VIP Club at Superyacht Village + newly relocated VIP Cabana Club at Bahia Mar, premium open bar, gourmet food, 1-hour early access via SYV entrance, complimentary self-parking (first come, first served) |
Children under 6 enter free with a paying adult. The child ticket (ages 6 to 12) is valid any day including Wednesday, which is not the case for all adult general admission tickets.
Show Layout: Six Venues, One Waterfront
FLIBS spans six waterfront locations across Fort Lauderdale. Complimentary water taxis, shuttles, and riverboats connect all venues throughout the day, and the full route takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes to cover. Most visitors focus on two or three venues per day and return the next day for the rest. Planning which venues you most want to see first helps you avoid spending peak midday hours waiting for water taxis.
| Venue | Focus | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Bahia Mar Yachting Center | Central hub | Largest venue; in-water yacht displays, marine electronics, engines, boating technology, and the Windward VIP Cabana Club (new location for 2026) |
| Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South | Superyachts and luxury lifestyle | Largest and most prestigious vessels; luxury lifestyle exhibitors; Windward VIP Club; 1-hour early access for VIP ticket holders |
| Pier Sixty-Six North | Large yachts 100 ft+ | Motor yachts and superyachts designed for extended cruising, entertaining, and luxury charter |
| Hall of Fame Marina | Brokerage yachts | Pre-owned and brokerage vessels; opportunity to explore ownership and charter options with brokers on site |
| Las Olas Marina | Smaller luxury yachts and new for 2026: floating pickleball | Vessels suited to private cruising and day boating; crew-only floating pickleball tournament in 2026 |
| Broward County Convention Center | Marine equipment and AquaZone | Marine technology, watersports gear, diving equipment, PWC, and the AquaZone 40,000-gallon freshwater demonstration pool |
Consider Attending FLIBS With a Buyer’s Broker
For a serious buyer with specific ownership goals, attending FLIBS with an experienced buyer’s broker can make the show considerably more productive. Rather than walking crowded docks and deciding what to see as you go, I can review your requirements in advance, identify the yachts at the show that are genuinely worth your time, arrange appointments for you, and plan an efficient route through the venues. This is particularly valuable during crowded hours. I recommend serious buyers to attend during the weekday show hours (Wednesday through Friday).
Working through your own broker can also reduce the need to register separately with multiple listing brokers or sales representatives, helping preserve your privacy and limiting unwanted follow-up after the show. Once aboard, you can spend your time evaluating the yachts against your actual requirements without feeling pressured to make quick decisions. And the search does not have to stop at the show gates. The weekend can also be used to inspect comparable yachts for sale elsewhere in the Fort Lauderdale area that are not entered in FLIBS.
There is no additional cost to engage a buyer’s broker. Indeed, savvy buyers insist on such to protect their interests and provide guidance.
Exhibiting a yacht at a major show is expensive, and those costs can sometimes influence how a vessel is positioned in the market. The objective is not simply to see as many boats as possible, but to use the show efficiently to identify the strongest candidates for your purchase.
What to Expect at FLIBS 2026
In-Water Yacht Displays
The core of FLIBS is the in-water yacht display, where approximately 1,300 boats of every type are berthed across the six venues. Motor yachts, sailing yachts, sport fishing boats, catamarans, center consoles, and superyachts from 100 to over 200 feet are all represented. Unlike a trade-only show, many of these vessels are open to the public for boarding and walkthrough, which makes FLIBS one of the rare opportunities to step aboard yachts you would otherwise never see inside.
FLIBS is also consistently used by builders to debut new models. If a major production yard or custom builder is launching a new line, they frequently choose FLIBS for the US premiere. This makes the show particularly worthwhile for buyers who want to see the latest available inventory before it hits the broader market. If you are considering motor yachts for sale or are looking at the current brokerage market, visiting the Hall of Fame Marina and walking the brokerage docks gives you a useful real-world price and condition reference.
Marine Technology and Equipment
The Broward County Convention Center consolidates the non-yacht side of the show: marine electronics, navigation systems, outboard engines, diving and snorkeling gear, watersports equipment, fishing tackle, safety equipment, and personal watercraft. This section is particularly useful for current boat owners looking to upgrade systems or evaluate new products, and for first-timers who want to understand the range of equipment that goes into outfitting a vessel.
AquaZone
Run by Nautical Ventures, the AquaZone is a 40,000-gallon freshwater pool inside the Convention Center where the latest water toys and personal watercraft are demonstrated live. For families and for anyone curious about the tender and toy packages that come with larger charter or liveaboard vessels, the AquaZone is one of the more immediately engaging parts of the show.
Floating Pickleball Court (New for 2026)
A new feature for the 2026 edition is a floating pickleball court at Las Olas Marina, including a tournament run exclusively for marine crew during the show period. This is primarily a crew-facing attraction rather than a general public one, but the court itself may be visible from the docks.
Windward VIP Experience
For visitors who want a more comfortable and less crowded experience, the Windward VIP Experience at $459 per person includes access to two VIP areas: the Windward VIP Club at Superyacht Village and the newly relocated Windward VIP Cabana Club at Bahia Mar. Both offer premium open bar, gourmet food, and lounge access with views over the yacht displays. The one-hour early admission through the Superyacht Village entrance, before general admission opens, is the most practical benefit for serious yacht viewers.
Brokers, Charter Specialists, and Industry Networking
FLIBS brings the global yachting industry into a single location for five days. For buyers, this means unparalleled access to brokers, builder representatives, charter specialists, and marine finance professionals without appointments or travel across multiple cities. If you are actively in the market to buy, the show is an efficient place to have conversations you would otherwise have across weeks of separate meetings.
For those considering chartering rather than buying, the show offers the chance to speak directly with charter brokers about availability, typical charter rates, and vessel options for Florida, Bahamas, and Caribbean itineraries. If you are an owner considering a charter program for your vessel, the show is also a productive place to meet management companies and brokers who operate in that space.
Attending FLIBS 2026? Make the Most of It With an Experienced Fort Lauderdale Broker.
Whether you are coming to FLIBS to buy, sell, research the market, or simply see what is available, a conversation with Andy Kniffin CPYB before or during show week helps you focus your time on the right vessels and the right conversations. AK Yachts is based in Fort Lauderdale, and FLIBS is our backyard.
Plan Your FLIBS Yacht Search →Practical Tips for First-Time FLIBS Visitors
Buy Tickets Before You Go
Tickets are only available online and certain categories sell out, particularly the Wednesday Preview and the Windward VIP Experience. Purchase directly at flibs.com well in advance of the show. Do not rely on buying at the door because there is no door sale.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
FLIBS involves a lot of walking, boarding and exiting boats via gangways and swim platforms, and standing on docks for extended periods. Boat shoes or non-slip flat shoes are practical. Heels and dress shoes make the dock access difficult and can damage vessel teak and gelcoat.
Plan Your Venue Order
Six venues in one day is ambitious. Most experienced show visitors pick two or three venues as their priority, arrive when the doors open, and take the water taxi to a second venue in the early afternoon. The Superyacht Village typically has the longest lines for boarding popular yachts by mid-morning on weekdays and almost all day on Saturday. Going there first, before other venues, improves access.
Bring Business Cards if You Are Attending Professionally
Whether you are a buyer in active search, a seller assessing the market, or an industry professional, FLIBS runs on conversations. Having cards on hand accelerates follow-up from meetings on the docks. If you are meeting with a broker or builder representative, confirm the meeting point in advance because the show is large and finding specific berths can take time.
Use the Complimentary Water Taxis
Driving between venues during the show is not practical. Fort Lauderdale's waterfront traffic during FLIBS is significant, and parking at individual venues is limited. The water taxis and shuttles provided by the show are the most efficient way to move between locations. Pick up a printed show map from the entrance or use the FLIBS mobile resources to locate water taxi stops at each venue.
For Buyers: This Is a Market Research Opportunity
If you are actively looking to buy a yacht, FLIBS is one of the best single market research tools available. You can step aboard multiple vessels in the same size and price category in a single day, compare layouts, fit and finish, and onboard systems, and have frank conversations with brokers about current pricing and availability. Come with a list of vessels you want to see and questions you want answered. If you are not yet working with a buyer's broker, FLIBS is also a natural place to meet brokers and identify who you want to work with.
FLIBS is not always the best place to close a deal. Prices at a boat show reflect show-day premium positioning. The more productive use is to view, compare, and research during the show, then engage your broker on specific vessels afterward when the pressure of the show environment is gone.
Fort Lauderdale During FLIBS
Fort Lauderdale during FLIBS week is one of the most concentrated yachting environments in the world. Hotels book up months in advance, marina berth reservations are tight, waterfront restaurants run waiting lists, and the city's ordinarily calm Intracoastal waterway fills with vessels arriving for the show. If you are traveling to attend, booking accommodation well in advance, typically by July or August at the latest for a late October show, is not excessive.
For boat owners visiting Fort Lauderdale aboard their vessel, dockage in South Florida during show week requires advance reservations at most marinas. Some marinas in the broader Fort Lauderdale area fill show-week slips six to eight months ahead. If you plan to arrive by boat, contact your preferred marina directly and early.
Outside the show itself, Fort Lauderdale during late October offers some of the best weather of the year for the region. The peak summer heat has passed, hurricane season is winding down, and the water and air temperatures are comfortable. Many visitors combine FLIBS attendance with a few days on the water before or after the show, and the proximity to the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, and Miami makes this straightforward to arrange.
Using FLIBS If You Are Actively Buying or Selling
For Buyers
If you are in the market for a yacht, FLIBS concentrates more inventory, more brokers, and more market information into five days than you could access in months of individual showings. Use it to narrow your shortlist, not necessarily to make an offer. The vessels displayed at FLIBS represent a fraction of available inventory, and the brokerage docks at the Hall of Fame Marina give you access to pre-owned vessels that may be priced and available for negotiation during or immediately after the show.
Come to the show with clear parameters: size range, use case, budget, and any specific features that matter to you. If you are not sure where to start, our guide on what to consider when buying a used yacht covers the framework before you set foot on any dock.
For Sellers
FLIBS generates buyer activity before, during, and after the show. Serious buyers who come to Fort Lauderdale for the show often extend their search to brokerage listings in the area. Having your vessel properly prepared and presented before the show and listed through an active broker who will be at the show puts it in front of the largest concentrated buyer audience of the year.
If you are considering selling in the next six to twelve months, FLIBS season is one of the most productive periods in the South Florida market. Buyer traffic is high, qualified prospects are on the water, and brokers are actively engaged with their client lists. For a full view of how to approach the sale, our guide on how to sell your yacht walks through the process in detail.
Conclusion
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is not like other consumer events. It is five days on the water surrounded by the best yachts in the world, with direct access to the people who build, sell, charter, and maintain them. Whether you are a first-time visitor who has never set foot on a yacht over 40 feet, or an experienced owner who attends every year, FLIBS consistently offers something useful.
The 2026 edition, October 28 through November 1, runs at a scale that justifies planning your visit carefully: know which venues you want to hit, buy tickets in advance, arrive early on your chosen days, and use the show for what it is genuinely good at, which is research, comparison, and conversation, rather than trying to close a transaction in five days of dock traffic.
If you are attending this year and want to use the time effectively as a buyer or seller in the South Florida market, contact Andy Kniffin CPYB at AK Yachts to arrange a meeting during show week. Fort Lauderdale is our home market, and FLIBS is the best single week to see all of it at once.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2026
When is the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2026?
FLIBS 2026 runs from Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. Wednesday is a preview day with limited hours (12:00 pm to 7:00 pm) and requires a preview or VIP ticket. Thursday through Sunday are full general admission days, running 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Thursday through Saturday and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday.
How much are Fort Lauderdale boat show tickets in 2026?
Ticket prices for FLIBS 2026 range from $48 for a one-day general admission (Thursday through Sunday) to $459 for the Windward VIP Experience. The Wednesday preview day ticket is $73. A two-day general admission ticket is $80. Children under 6 enter free with a paying adult. Tickets are sold exclusively online at flibs.com and are not available at the gate.
What are the FLIBS 2026 opening hours?
Wednesday, October 28 (preview day): 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Sunday, November 1: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Where is the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show held?
FLIBS spans six waterfront venues in Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Bahia Mar Yachting Center (the central hub), Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South, Pier Sixty-Six North, Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, and the Broward County Convention Center. Complimentary water taxis and shuttles connect all venues throughout the show.
How many boats are at the Fort Lauderdale boat show?
Approximately 1,300 vessels are displayed annually across the six venues, with an estimated combined value of around $4 billion in yachts and marine products. The fleet includes everything from center consoles and sportfishers to sailing yachts, large motor yachts, and superyachts over 200 feet.
Is the Fort Lauderdale boat show worth attending?
Yes, for almost anyone with an interest in boating or yachting at any level. FLIBS is the largest in-water boat show in the world and offers a combination of vessel access, industry expertise, marine technology, and live demonstrations that no other single event matches. It is open to the public, not just trade buyers, which makes it accessible to first-time visitors and experienced owners alike.
Is FLIBS 2026 good for buyers looking to purchase a yacht?
FLIBS is an excellent research and market orientation tool for buyers. The brokerage docks at Hall of Fame Marina give access to pre-owned inventory, and builder and broker representatives are available throughout the show. It is most useful for comparing vessels, building relationships with brokers, and getting a real-world sense of the market rather than for finalizing a purchase during the show itself. After FLIBS, buyer activity in the Fort Lauderdale market typically increases as conversations started at the show move forward.
Do I need to book accommodation in advance for FLIBS?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale hotels during FLIBS week book out months in advance. If you are traveling to attend, confirm accommodation by July or August at the latest. For boat owners arriving by water, marina reservations in Fort Lauderdale during show week should be made well in advance, as popular marinas fill their show-week availability many months ahead.
What is the Windward VIP Experience at FLIBS?
The Windward VIP Experience is a premium ticket at $459 per person per day. It includes access to two VIP lounges (the Windward VIP Club at Superyacht Village and the newly relocated Windward VIP Cabana Club at Bahia Mar), premium open bar, gourmet food, one hour of early access to the show through the Superyacht Village entrance before general admission opens, and complimentary self-parking at Superyacht Village on a first-come, first-served basis.
