Sjøen for Alle 2026 (Sea for All) – the Oslo International Boat Show – has been cancelled.
Organisers of Norway’s oldest boat show, the Norwegian marine industry association Norboat, say the decision has been taken due to a pressured market.
In a statement, Norboat said there had been full docks, bright sun and a good atmosphere at Sea for All 2025, however this year’s event has been another casualty of the current difficult economic circumstances.
2026 would have been the 70th anniversary of the show, however despite preliminary studies showing that many players wanted the fair back, there have been too few registrations to be able to able to go ahead without making a deficit.
Arranging large, national boat shows is a financially demanding project.
Thomas Nicolai Bjønness
“Arranging large, national boat shows is a financially demanding project. As an organiser, you must make significant commitments well in advance of the event,” explained Thomas Nicolai Bjønness, senior advisor.
“A thorough review of the registration situation shows that, as of today, after the announced registration deadline, we do not have a sufficient number of confirmed exhibitors on the water to be able to hold the show without a large deficit.”
And he explained that Norboat had hoped to support the economically pressured industry by just breaking even and not making a profit, even this was not going to happen.
Sjøen for Alle was first held in Frognerkilen in 1956, moving in more recent times to an indoor venue at Sjølyst and in recent years taking place at the Norwegian Trade Fair (NOVA Spektrum) in Lillestrøm.
Maritime family festival
After a few years without a fair due to restrictions related to Covid-19, Norboat relaunched Sjøen for Alle as an outdoor, maritime family festival and boat fair at Kadettangen outside Sandvika in May 2025.
The event attracted close to 14,000 visitors with boats of all sizes on display together with combined with experiences and activities for both young and old.
“Sjøen for Alle 2025 was summed up as a great success,” said managing director Magnus Frøshaug Ryhjell.
Sound financial foundation
“We believe that boat shows still have their place in boaters’ calendars. At the same time, we need to ensure that the events have a sound financial foundation.
“The decision has been made on this basis, and it is not an easy decision to make.”
He continued: “We hope for better framework conditions for the boating industry in the future and at the same time welcome both exhibitors and the public to NORBOAT’s second national boat show, Boats in the Sea, at Aker Brygge, 27–30 August 2026.”
Sjøen for Alle was to have been held in May in Sandvika.
