A 100-boat field for the 2026 event
The Honda Marine Cup Benelux will return to Jachthaven Naarden on the Gooimeer in the Netherlands on 19 September with a sold-out entry of 100 boats. British Marine’s event release says the field will be the largest in the competition’s history, bringing together tournament anglers, Honda-powered boats and the wider regional boating community.
The event has grown markedly since 24 boats took part in the inaugural edition in 2019, reaching 96 boats in 2024 before weather forced the cancellation of the 2025 competition. The 2026 return therefore represents both a recovery from that interruption and a new participation record for the Benelux event.
Fishing competition with a broader boating role
Catch-and-release fishing remains the centrepiece, but the organisers describe the Cup as more than a tournament. On-water and shore-side activities are intended to create a relaxed family atmosphere, while Honda representatives and ambassadors will also use the event to discuss current outboard technology and practical boating topics.
That mix makes the event relevant to the wider leisure-boat market because sport fishing is one of the major use cases for small outboard-powered craft. Boats used for this type of event range from open fishing boats and RIBs to more specialised platforms, keeping engines, electronics, livewell systems and deck layouts central to the experience.
Part of Honda Marine’s European programme
Honda Marine Europe has also developed the concept outside the Netherlands, including a second Italian edition earlier in 2026. The company’s wider 2026 event schedule includes major European shows such as Cannes, Southampton and Grand Pavois La Rochelle, giving the brand multiple routes to reach owners beyond conventional dealer launches.
For Leisure Boat Guide, the Benelux Cup is useful as a community and market story rather than simply a competition result. A sold-out 100-boat field gives a tangible indication of participation around small powered craft, sport fishing and outboard ownership in a region with a strong inland and coastal boating culture.