Held in association with Acquera Club, The Italian Sea Group and Maddox, the 20th edition of the World Superyacht Awards was held on 2-3 May 2025 in Venice. The annual event brings together superyacht owners, shipyards and designers to celebrate the world’s most impressive launches over the past year.
The event was made possible thanks to the support of its valued event partners – Oliveri, KRM Yacht, Ocean Alexander, Camper & Nicholsons, Carla Guilhem, Sabrina Monte-Carlo, Jaffa & Co, The Glenrothes, Sirena Yachts, Cantiere delle Marche, Tufan and Brothers and Falcon Tenders – alongside the contributions of its supporting partners, including the City of Venice, Fema Marine, Crew À La Mode, SES Yachts and Nexgen Cloud.
Watch the highlights
The Welcome Cocktail
The festivities began on Friday evening with a Welcome Cocktail in one of Venice’s most storied landmarks, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. Beneath Tintoretto’s restored Crucifixion, unveiled to guests after two years of restoration, attendees raised glasses of The Glenrothes cocktails and champagne in celebration of this year’s nominees. A Venetian folk band greeted guests, while upstairs, a string quartet set the tone for the weekend ahead.
The Judges’ Programme
On Saturday morning, the World Superyacht Awards judges were transported to the island of Mazzorbo to visit the walled vineyard of Venissa, a hidden gem in the Venetian Lagoon. After a guided tour among the dorona vines, judges tasted the estate’s iconic Venissa Bianco and Venusa Bianco wines and enjoyed a lunch overlooking the vineyard.
The Cultural Programme
For guests, Saturday’s Cultural Programme offered the chance to explore Venice from the water. A private boat tour along the Giudecca Canal, complete with onboard aperitivo, led to the storied island of Murano - home of the legendary Vetrier Venier glass factory. There, guests witnessed traditional glass-blowing demonstrations and toured the factory before sitting down to lunch.
The Gala Dinner
On Saturday evening, guests arrived to find a Venetian harpist in a masked costume playing as stilt walkers and jesters mingled among the crowd. Held under a canopy of stars, the Gala Dinner was curated by luxury caterers Alajmo. Even more immersive entertainment unfolded between courses, designed by the award-winning theatre company Immersive Octopus. Acrobats soared overhead, baroque dancers glided through the tables and a ball walker added a surrealist twist. Known for experiences like Peaky Blinders: The Rise, the company recently launched a new yacht-specific catalogue with Charter Itinerary for those looking to elevate onboard experiences.
During the evening, BOAT International hosted a silent auction in partnership with Superstars. With over 30 prizes on offer, the auction raised funds for the YOTS Foundation, a charity committed to creating access for young people to discover and work within the world of yachting.
The awards ceremony itself honoured the year’s most extraordinary superyacht launches, with 122-metre Kismet claiming the prestigious Motor Yacht of the Year and 35.5-metre Kiboko 4 taking home Sailing Yacht of the Year. Later, The Glenrothes' bar opened, and a live band took the stage for the after-party as guests danced into the early hours.
Read More/The winners of the World Superyacht Awards 2025Nominations for the World Superyacht Awards 2026 are now open. If you have any questions, please contact the events team.
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