Boats, the sea and water sports: for enthusiasts in these areas, there is a particularly big date in the calendar every year, namely the “Boot” Düsseldorf trade fair. This boat show is not only important for German yachting enthusiasts, as it is the largest event of its kind in the world. The Boot Düsseldorf trade fair therefore not only covers a broad spectrum of areas of interest, but also presents all the latest innovations from numerous countries. Whether experienced sailors, water-ski enthusiasts, families or lovers of luxury yachts – there was plenty to discover at this year’s Boot Düsseldorf trade fair.
The origins of the Düsseldorf boat show
As already mentioned, the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair is the world’s largest trade fair for water sports, sailing, yachts, motorboats and much more. It started out a little smaller in the 1960s.
This boat show was held for the first time in 1969 and brought together 116 exhibitors from eight countries. Even at its debut, the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair was well attended, as the halls were home to around 34,000 visitors over the course of the entire event.
Over time, the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair has become increasingly relevant and larger, with the current peak visitor number of 354,000 people in 2002 and the most exhibitors in 2020, with around 1900.
The Boot Düsseldorf trade fair has not only expanded in terms of space, but also in the variety of products, services and events presented. As a result, it is now regarded as the most important event for water sports, yacht building and yacht management and attracts experts and fans alike.
The Boot Düsseldorf trade fair in figures
There was a lot to announce for Boot 2024 in Düsseldorf. The key information can be easily summarised in figures:
More than 1500 exhibitors from 65 different countries were expected. They were able to present their products and services in 16 exhibition halls, with a total area of 220,000 square metres at their disposal.
As a visitor, you could view almost 1100 boats and yachts on display and buy your yacht or look for the ideal yacht boutique. Some models could only be viewed at certain shows or by appointment with the exhibitors.
Our tip for the next Boot Düsseldorf trade fair: Don’t wait long to book these dates, as they were booked up quickly again this year!
Die Vertreter und Marken auf der Messe Boot Düsseldorf
It is not possible to list all the representatives of the various sectors and areas at the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair here. However, you can check the exhibitor register for a particular year to see which exhibitor was where. For example, you could find us from Merk&Merk in Hall 6, Stand 21.
Other well-known exhibitors included, for example
- Wassersport Europa GmbH
- Sea Safe
- Sunseeker International Ltd.
- Maasgouw Marine Service Johan Adriaans
- Malibu Boats
- and many other representatives
However, the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair is also a platform for smaller, specialised manufacturers. This January, there was plenty to explore, from unique craftsmanship to innovative designs. The variety of products on display ranged from ultra-modern sailing yachts, if you wanted to buy your sailing yacht, to sporty motorboats and equipment for diving, surfing and other water sports.
The highlights and innovations at the Boot 2024 trade fair in Düsseldorf
The newcomers among the boats and yachts are particularly popular, and this year’s Boot Düsseldorf trade fair was no exception. These three stars in particular were in the line-up for 2024:
- The Sunseeker 95Y
- The Princess Y85
- The Absolute 52 Fly
The Sunseeker 95Y is a new masterpiece of yacht building. She is particularly known for her spacious interior and advanced technology.
If you visited the Merk&Merk stand at the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair, you could marvel at the Princess Y85 by making an appointment. This boat impresses with its modern and stylish exterior and its combination of luxury and comfort.
The Absolute 52 Fly, the third remarkable innovation, impresses with its spacious layout and airy deck.
The general programme for the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair
The entire programme, including events, spanned the 16 halls of the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair, so a hall plan was once again indispensable. Nevertheless, here we provide you with an overview of the rough organisation of the various areas. This is also similar from year to year.
In Halls 1, 3 and 4 you could find a wide selection of boats of all kinds, from small sailing boats to impressive motorboats. However, if you like it particularly large and imposing, Hall 5 was your location to marvel at superboats. For these, there was also the corresponding show in the neighbouring hall. For those who prefer luxury and exclusivity, we were joined by other exhibitors of luxury yachts in Hall 6.
For divers, all the equipment and accessories were located in Halls 11 and 12. Some of them were also able to dive in the taster pool or diving tower in Hall 13. Halls 13 and 14 were otherwise intended for the presentation of the most popular water sports destinations: those dreaming of distant water sports regions could find out about countries from Egypt and Croatia to Indonesia and enjoy presentations and insights into some of their most beautiful areas.
Finally, sailing enthusiasts found what they were looking for in Halls 15 and 16, where a variety of sailing boats and yachts, as well as accessories and services for sailors were on display.
In addition to these scattered exhibitors, there was much more to do: For families with young children, the trade fair offered special areas such as boot4school and Kid’s World, where children could be introduced to water sports in a playful way and have fun. For adults and anyone who loves cameras, the Water Pixel World offered just the right thing to capture their diving trips or boating holidays in the best possible way, whether through photography or videography.
There were also award ceremonies at the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair, such as the Yacht & Powerboat 2024 and the Dive Award. However, those who preferred to go back in time could immerse themselves in traditional boatbuilding and admire historic boats and sailing yachts in the Classic Forum.
Practical know-how for your visit to the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair
If you didn’t make it to the Boot Düsseldorf trade fair this year, you can still look forward to many exciting exhibitions next year. However, especially if you are preparing for your first Boot trade fair in Düsseldorf, there are a few points that you should bear in mind or be aware of so that you can always have fun.
- Admission prices and tickets: Depending on how long you want to stay, you can pay for a day ticket or admission for two days. Prices vary: this year, for example, you could expect to pay €21 without a discount for online tickets, while the same ticket cost €29 on site. Members of boot.club, caravan.club and ADAC, on the other hand, only paid €19 and there were some groups that received discounts. So make sure you enquire in good time.
- Travelling and parking: Messe Boot Düsseldorf is well connected to the transport network, but bear in mind the crowds. Use public transport to avoid stress.
- Accommodation: Book your accommodation early, as hotels near the trade fair can be booked out quickly during the event.
- Trade fair planning: The Boot Düsseldorf trade fair is huge, so it is advisable to make a plan in advance. Determine which halls and exhibitors are of most interest to you and plan your route accordingly.