Everything you need to know about the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge the event, the four racing classes, how to take part, the programme, the prizes and all the practical details.
Can’t find your answer below? Email energychallenge@ycm.org and the team will help.
An international event organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco where university teams, engineers and the yachting industry design, test and race boats powered by clean energy — electric, solar and hydrogen. Since 2014 it has been a real-life “open-air laboratory” for sustainable maritime technology.
The 14th edition runs from 29 June – 3 July 2027 at the Yacht Club de Monaco, on Port Hercule. .
Yes — free entrance. The quayside, the Village and the public viewing areas are open to everyone.
The Yacht Club de Monaco, as part of the “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting” initiative.
For 2026, 43 teams from 21 nations across four racing classes. All-time, the event has welcomed 400+ teams, 50+ universities and 35+ nationalities.
It is a testing ground, not a show: clean-energy prototypes are pushed to their limits in real maritime conditions, alongside conferences, Tech Talks and a Job Forum.
Energy Class, AI Class, SeaLab Class and the Open Sea Xperience.
Teams build the most efficient, sustainable propulsion on a standardised catamaran hull supplied by the YCM, powered only by green energy. Launched in 2018.
Autonomous, zero-emission vessels under 12 m equipped with high-precision sensors and onboard AI for fully autonomous navigation. Launched in 2025.
Prototypes under 12 m (not CE-certified) using zero-emission propulsion — electric, hydrogen or green methanol — with a focus on pioneering hydrogen. Sea trials run up to 16 nautical miles.
Battery- or hydrogen-electric boats already on, or about to enter, the market — tested in open-sea trials for range, reliability and safety.
Yes — teams can register in several classes.
University student teams from around the world, plus companies with market-ready boats for the Open Sea Xperience.
Through the official registration form. Registration details and deadlines are in the Official Documents hub.
For the Energy Class, a standardised catamaran hull so teams can focus on propulsion and cockpit design.
In the Official Documents resource hub — the Notice of Challenge and the Technical Rules for each class.
Yes — the Mentoring Programme pairs each team with an industry expert for 10 months, the alumni network and Q&A forum offer further guidance.
Qualifying laps, manoeuvrability trials, speed-record attempts, endurance races, sea trials and the parade — a full testing framework in real conditions.
Qualifying Laps, Endurance, Championship (head-to-head duels) and Slalom.
Figure-eight, Slalom, Sprint and Docking — increasingly complex autonomous challenges.
Manoeuvrability, Endurance and a 16-nautical-mile offshore Speed Race.
Yes — the YCM Speed Record, over two 500 m runs combined into one kilometre. The current record is 49.84 knots, set by the 850 Fantom by Frauscher in 2025.
From Jetée Lucciana and Promenade Jacques Boissy, two public viewing points — and live online.
Daily presentations where teams share their projects with the public and an international jury, broadcast live and archived online. Finalists present for the Innovation, Design and Eco-Conception prizes (10-minute talk + 5-minute Q&A).
Yes — the Advanced Yachting Technology Conference (9 July) and the 7th Alternative Fuels & Sustainable Yachting Conference (10 July).
A racing video-game simulator competition inspired by the real races — qualifying on 9 July, championship on 10 July.
A free public hospitality hub with food, entertainment, a TV set and the evening prize-giving podium.
A two-day, on-site recruitment and networking event in the Hospitality Unit, connecting students and young professionals with recruiters.
A 10-month programme, from October, pairing university teams with industry mentors.
By a combined score: 45% race performance, 45% Tech Talk & Communication prizes, and 10% e-Championship results.
Race Committee awards (1st–3rd in each class, speed record, performance distinctions), the Tech Talk prizes (Innovation, Design, Eco-Conception) and International Jury awards.
The Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco Sustainable Yachting Technology Award — for the best technological solution, with a €25,000 grant to move from innovation to implementation.
Through the Job Forum, the Mentoring Programme, or by becoming a partner.
A network of 1,825+ alumni from 30+ nationalities who volunteer, share their experience and stay connected to the event.
Yacht Club de Monaco, Quai Louis II, Port Hercule, 98000 Monaco.
Yes — it is a free public event with the Village, viewing areas and activities throughout the day.
For general enquiries, energychallenge@ycm.org. For press, presse@ycm.org.
Through the Media & Press area, with accreditation.
In the Official Documents resource hub, kept up to date throughout the season.
