Setting course for 2026
Organised with the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge showcases the sustainable propulsion technologies and innovative materials that are shaping the future of sailing. The challenge is based on the values of innovation and sustainability: participants are invited to explore solutions based on solar, hydrogen, electricity and other renewable energy sources, without sacrificing nautical performance.
For four days, Monaco will be hosting an international event bringing together more than 40 universities and professionals from all over the world. At sea, the teams take part in a programme of events including manoeuvrability tests, sea trials, speed records, endurance races and slaloms. On land, the event continues with a programme of tech talks, conferences, workshops and professional meetings, as well as Le Village, which is advertised as open access on the official website.
Four classes to imagine the yachting of tomorrow
The 2026 edition is structured around four complementary classes: Energy, IA, SeaLab and Open Sea. Each class explores a specific facet of sustainable maritime mobility, helping to make Monaco a unique testing ground for sustainable yachting.
Energy Class
A historic pillar of the event, this year's Energy Class brings together 26 teams around standardised hulls supplied by the Yacht Club de Monaco. This format enables different propulsion and energy management solutions to be compared under strictly identical conditions. The projects presented show a high level of maturity, with a strong focus on electric and hybrid technologies.
IA Class
Introduced in 2025, the IA Class confirmed its leading role in 2026 with 11 teams entered. This category highlights the integration of artificial intelligence into the design, navigation and energy management of boats. AI is seen as an on-board decision-making tool, designed to enhance performance, safety and energy efficiency.
SeaLab Class
Conceived as a space for advanced experimentation, the SeaLab Class brings together 6 teams working on projects devoted to new energy architectures and solutions that are not yet widely deployed in the maritime sector. Like floating laboratories, these prototypes open up concrete avenues for the energy systems of the future.
Open Sea Class
The Open Sea Class showcases CE-certified zero-emission prototypes up to 25 metres long that are already on the market or about to be. This category strengthens the link between research, experimentation and practical applications for industry.
An experience on land and at sea
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is as much an experience on the water as it is on land. The races and demonstrations are advertised as open to the public and take place in the YCM Marina and in Monaco Bay, with views from the quays and the breakwater. This accessible dimension helps to make the event a highlight of the Monegasque summer, spectacular, educational and forward-looking.
As well as the competition itself, the event is also about sharing and exchange. The Corporate Mentoring Programme enables experts to support university teams, while the Job Forum builds bridges between students and companies in the sector. This collective dynamic fully illustrates the challenge's ambition: to experiment, demonstrate and debate solutions that are transforming the maritime and yachting industries.