Boating Event · Monaco
On July 17 and 18, 2026, Monaco will host the E1 Series, the first world championship for 100 % electric racing boats. RaceBirds soaring on their foils off the coast of Port Hercule, teams owned by Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Rafael Nadal, and a brand-new Team Monaco racing on home turf. We’ll tell you all about the event and how to experience it from the water with a Black Tenders boat transfer.
The E1 Series, the World Championship for Electric Boats
Launched under the auspices of the UIM (International Motorboat Union), the’E1 Series is the very first world championship for 100% electric powerboats. It was conceived by Alejandro Agag, founder of Formula E, and Rodi Basso, and its history is closely tied to Monaco: the series was unveiled at the Yacht Club de Monaco in 2020, in the presence of Prince Albert II.
The RaceBird, a boat that flies
The star of the league is the RaceBird : a 7.5-meter electric monohull equipped with carbon-fiber foils. At speeds of 17 knots or higher, the hull lifts out of the water and the boat glides above the surface, reducing drag and noise. Its 150 kW electric motor and 35 kWh battery allow it to reach nearly 50 knots, or about 93 km/h. All teams race in identical boats: it is a one-design series, where the difference lies in the piloting.
Stables owned by celebrities
The E1 has attracted team owners with impressive credentials: Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Rafael Nadal each have their own team. For the 2026 season, there’s a major new development: a Team Monaco will make his debut and run in front of his home crowd for the first time.
E1 Monaco 2026: Dates, Venue, and Schedule
The Monaco leg holds July 17 and 18, 2026, on the waters of Port Hercule. It is one of the most eagerly anticipated European events of a season that spans four continents.
A season across four continents
The 2026 calendar The 2026 calendar features eight races: Jeddah in January, Lake Como in April, Dubrovnik in June, followed by Monaco in mid-July, before Angola (Luanda), Lagos, Miami, and a finale in the Bahamas in November. Monaco holds a special place: a legendary circuit, a bay made for a spectacular finish, and Team Monaco racing on home turf.
Ticket Office
Tickets for the E1 Monaco are available on the official ticket office for the event. To enjoy the race in the best possible conditions, there’s just one question left: how do you get to Monaco on race day?
See the E1 Monaco from the sea: the best vantage point
A boat race is best viewed from the water. The waters of Port Hercule and the harbor offer an unbeatable view of the RaceBirds speeding by, whereas on land, seating is limited.
On land, everything is saturated
Just like during the Grand Prix or major summer events, Monaco fills up quickly: roads are jam-packed, parking lots are full, and access is restricted. Arriving by sea makes all the difference: the journey depends solely on sea conditions, not on traffic on land. For more details on these logistics, see our article on the the best way to travel between Nice and Monaco.
Transfer to Monaco by boat with Black Tenders
Instead of just enduring the drive, Black Tenders takes you to Monaco by sea. The concept is simple: a private boat transfer, departing from Nice, Cannes, Antibes, or Villefranche, with a professional skipper and a schedule of your choosing.
How it works
- À la carte departure : Nice, Villefranche, Beaulieu, Cap-Ferrat, Cannes, Antibes, and on to Monaco.
- No license, no logistics : No documents or boating experience required; everything is handled by a professional skipper.
- For the event : Same-day round trip, or VIP transportation for your guests, with the option of returning in the evening.
Black Tenders operates a fleet of RIBs (12 passengers) and a sailing catamaran year-round, based in Nice, Cannes, and Mandelieu. To extend the crossing with a full-fledged sea excursion, the Boat rental with skipper and Experiments available upon request round out the transfer service. For an on-demand door-to-door ride, it’s Taxiboat.fr, Black Tenders' boat courier service.
The E1 Series in Monaco is more than just a race: it’s proof that the Riviera is the natural setting for a new generation of quiet, electric boating. On July 17 and 18, 2026, Port Hercule will come alive as the RaceBirds speed by.
And the best way to get there is still the most obvious one on the French Riviera: by sea. A private boat transfer drops you off in Monaco at the time of your choosing, with no traffic or parking hassles, and offers a view that no one else has from the docks.
The easiest way to book your transfer to E1 Monaco is via WhatsApp.
