#FIRSTLOOK: THE 2026 TORONTO BOAT SHOW RUNS COMING SOON

The countdown is on! Preparations are underway for North America’s largest indoor boat show as the industry’s top marine innovators, boat dealers, retailers, and experts get ready to gather under one roof at Toronto’s Enercare Centre next week, January 17 – 25, 2026.

There’s plenty to get excited for with more than 1,000 boats on display, hundreds of new products and marine accessories to shop, 200+ seminars, free boating activities and entertainment, and all-new features.

2026 Toronto Boat Show Highlights:
NEW! Sign-Up for Indoor Pickleball on The Lake (Jan. 17-21)! Serving up fun, the Toronto Boat Show is the only place to play pickleball on a full-sized floating court on the world’s largest indoor Lake. Smash, dink, or rally with provided equipment or bring your own paddles for some friendly competition. Visitors can sign up to play from Jan. 17 to 21. Come experience what all the hype is about and why pickleball is North America’s fastest growing sport.

TIBS B-Roll & Sneak Peek of Pickleball on the Water
2026 Paddling Film Festival Premiere – The Paddling Film Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a lineup of international, award-winning films exploring the universal connection to nature through paddling. The Festival kicks off its 2026 World Tour with The Complete Paddler hosting a viewing event exclusively at the Toronto Boat Show on Thursday, January 22 (6pm – 10pm in Salon 107), where winning films of each category will be screened. Come for an evening of great films, door prizes, and chance to win a Boreal Designs Baltic 120 Ultralight Kayak!

Trailer from the 2025 Paddling Film Festival. The 2026 World Tour kicks off exclusively at the Toronto International Boat Show on Thurs. Jan. 22 with free screenings of award-winning films.

The 7th Annual Indoor Wakeboard Canadian Championships (Closing Weekend): This sanctioned, world-class competition sees the top professional and amateur wakeboarders across Canada compete for cash prizes. Meet pro-riders and watch them perform spectacular grinds, tricks, and flips in The Lake. Men’s and Women’s Qualifying Rounds take place on Fri. Jan. 23 with Finals and Awards ceremonies on Sat. Jan. 24.

More Must-Sees & Must Try on The Lake (Daily): One of the marquee features of the of the Toronto Boat Show is transforming the ice rink inside Coca-Cola Coliseum into a massive indoor lake for visitors to enjoy FREE boating activities and see all that is cool and trending on the water.

Glow-in-the-Dark Boating & Sunset Golden Hour Boating – Go boating on clear kayaks, canoes and pedalboats while surrounded by the serene glow of LED lights in The Lake (daily).

Watch Stand Up Paddleboard Races (Jan. 17) & Remote Control Sailing Regatta Competitions (Jan. 20-22).
Antique Boat Rides for Charity: Buy a raffle to enjoy a ride in a restored antique cedar strip Richardson 14’ boat, powered by a Tohatsu ALARIS™ 6.0kW electric outboard motor. Proceeds go to support Kids & Classics Boatshops Museum (daily, except for Sundays).

Waterskiing & Wakeboarding Shows (Closing Weekend) – Take in some adrenaline-packed action on The Lake with the family-favourite Waterskiing Show (Jan. 22-25) complete with costumes, lights and music; as well as a spectacular Showcase of Wakeboard Champions on Sun. Jan. 25 capping off the final day of the Toronto Boat Show on a high-flying note.

Discover Camping & Boating – A dedicated destination for outdoor-loving adventurers to learn more about the increasingly popular lifestyle of Camping & Boating. Find resources and chat with experts on everything from where to find camping grounds to pitching a tent and portaging.

Free Seminars & Guest Speakers – The Toronto Boat Show offers the most comprehensive lineup of education and free seminars for boaters of all interests and skill levels. There are more than 200 hourly seminars across four locations featuring industry experts, avid boaters and inspiring stories from sailors such as:

71-year-old Texan Robert Youens is the fastest boater to complete the Great Loop, while raising money for paediatric cancer along the way. Boating his way through the 9,700 km journey in world-record time is an astonishing accomplishment on its own – not to mention he did it at the age of 71 after defeating cancer, and on a tiny 19-ft aluminum fishing boat, fittingly named the ‘Ageless Wanderer.’ His inspiring journey through the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf Coast, Mississipi River and Great Lakes, captured on social media, gained him followers and fans who offered to pay for his fuel, food (and even clean underwear for him), made signs for him along the route – even penning songs about him. Youens will share his story on the seminar stage, Jan. 17 & 18.

Read more about Robert Youens:
“The 71-Year Old Texan Who Broke a Big Record on a Tiny Boat”
LIVE Virtual Event with Canadian Skipper Melodie Schaffer from the Globe 40 Race: It was so nice, she’s doing it twice! Having already accomplished being the first Canadian female to race around the world and placing 3rd in the Globe Race in 2022/23, Melodie Schaffer is back at sea as the only Canadian competitor in this year’s in the Globe 40 Race. Join an exclusive LIVE virtual event with Melodie Schaffer and her Canadian co-skipper, Colin Campbell from her Class 40 boat, “Whiskey Jack,” as they share updates on their progress and adventures while currently on Leg 4 of the race through Sydney, Australia to Valparaiso. (Sat. Jan 24. as part of Sailor’s Day at the Toronto Boat Show).

Boating Resource Centre: Boating authorities and recreational organizations such as Parks Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, OPP Marine, Transport Canada and others, will be onsite to provide unbiased information on best boating practices and preparations to get out on the water safely to enjoy boating activities.

Great Canadian Fish Tank: Get an up-close view of how fish react to different lures and techniques through a 40-foot long aquarium filled with 5,000 gallons of water and stocked with native Ontario marine life. Daily seminars by professional anglers demonstrate how different fish react to different types of bait, step-by-step casting methods, and effective tips on how to catch “the big one.”

Georgian College Skills Competition & Marine Technical Training Centre: Canada’s core recreational boating industry employs approximately 45,000 Canadians, but there’s a growing labour shortage and need for more skilled marine engineers and technicians. The Marine Technical Training Centre at the Toronto Boat Show is an educational hub to learn about the many opportunities and pathways to a career in the marine industry; and invites visitors to “Try the Trade” with activities to learn about engine components. Current students enrolled in the marine training courses at Georgian College will take part in the annual Skills Competition on January 17 & 18 to showcase their technical knowledge by completing a series of hands-on challenges and tests.

For more programming highlights, show information and schedules, go to www.TorontoBoatShow.com. @TorontoBoatShow