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Day: 28 September 2026

Rokethon’s third edition brings animal welfare and adoption to the heart of Monaco

by: Kayla Sauceda
28/09/2026

Animal lovers and their four-legged friends came together in Fontvieille on Sunday 27th September as Rokethon returned for its third edition, transforming the Bit Top into a celebration for animals, responsible pet ownership, and adoption.

Organised by the Rokethon organisation, the annual event brought together families, pet owners, animal welfare organisations, and dogs of all shapes and sizes for a day centred around a shared commitment to improving the lives of animals.

Throughout the day, visitors were able to discover animals looking for homes and meet the associations protecting them, alongside a full range of activities from agility and entertainment to art and photography.

A four-legged participant at the third edition of Rokethon in Fontvieille. Photo credits: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life

At the heart of the event was Rokethon’s symbolic walk around the Bit Top, designed to bring everyone together behind the cause of animal welfare.

For Rokethon President Sylvia Sermenghi, however, the event is intended to be more than simply a gathering for animal lovers.

“It’s like a big celebration of animals. That is how I want it to feel,” Sermenghi told Monaco Life. “I don’t want something really commercial, because that means we will be making money on the back of the animals. I don’t want that. I want to help animals.”

That mindset extends to the association’s approach to animal welfare more broadly. Sermenghi believes improving the lives of animals requires not only financial support, but a better understanding of their needs and behaviours.

“Helping animals is not only about providing financial support; it also requires love, compassion and knowledge,” she said.

The challenges surrounding animal welfare have become increasingly important as shelters face growing demand and the cost of caring for a pet continues to rise. Sermenghi acknowledged the financial realities facing owners.

Rather than judging those who struggle, she said greater awareness is needed around what responsible ownership entails and the commitment involved in welcoming an animal into a home.

Participants come together for Rokethon’s symbolic walk around the Chapiteau de Fontvieille. Photo credits: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life

EDUCATION AT THE HEART OF ROKETHON’S FUTURE

Looking beyond the annual event, Sermenghi hopes Rokethon can play a greater role in shaping attitudes towards animals in Monaco, beginning with younger generations.

Among the association’s ambitions is greater animal welfare education in schools, teaching children not only how to treat animals, but also to recognise and speak up when they witness mistreatment. Sermenghi believes that animals should be understood as an integral part of the environment that children are taught to protect.

She also hopes to work more closely with the Monegasque government on animal welfare initiatives, with an ambition to make Monaco an example in the way animals are treated.

“I want to change some little things for the animals,” she said. “And make an example of Monaco for the animals.”

With its third edition now complete, Rokethon continues to develop from an annual gathering into a wider effort to encourage adoption, responsible ownership, and a greater understanding of animal welfare across the Principality.

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Photo credit: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life

Nearly 200 pedigree cats will take over Monaco’s Fontvieille Marquee

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/09/2026

Monaco’s International Cat Show will return to the Fontvieille Marquee on 3rd and 4th October, bringing together nearly 200 pedigree cats representing 27 breeds.

Around 90 breeders from across Europe are expected to participate in the ninth edition of the Exposition Féline Internationale de Monaco, which will be open to the public from 10am to 6pm on both days.

The event is organised by Monaco-based association De Gati de Munegu under the High Patronage of Princess Caroline of Hanover.

Visitors will be able to see breeds including Maine Coons, Persians, Bengals, Ragdolls and Sphynx cats, with 10 international judges assessing the competitors according to LOOF and TICA standards.

The programme will place an emphasis on responsible ownership and animal welfare. Organisers have introduced a strict ban on kitten sales during the show and will work with animal-protection groups to promote responsible adoption.

The show has also been recognised with a new Monaco postage stamp designed by Florence Gendre. Released on 5th September, the €2.25 stamp features a Persian cat and commemorates the 2026 edition of the event.

Admission costs €10 for visitors aged over 13 and €5 for children aged between six and 13. Entry is free for children under six.

The ninth Monaco International Cat Show will take place at the Fontvieille Marquee on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October, from 10am to 6pm.

Monaco Life is written by qualified journalists, writing original content. Sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. 

Photo of Princess Caroline at the Monaco International Cat Show, source: Association Monégasque ” De Gati De Mùnegu “

Monaco United continue perfect start with third consecutive victory

by: Kayla Sauceda
28/09/2026

Monaco United secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Saint-Didier-Pernoise this weekend as the team continues its hunt for promotion at the end of this season. With this victory, the team maintained its perfect record, moving to the top of the Regional Championship.

Both teams stepped onto the pitch with only victories so far this season, looking to maintain their perfect records and establish themselves at the top of the table. The match quickly developed into an intense and hard-fought contest.

Despite creating several opportunities in the opening stages, Monaco United was unable to successfully convert them into goals. The game gradually developed into a balanced contest, with every ball fiercely contested.

The two teams headed into halftime still deadlocked at 0-0 as Monaco United sought to build on its momentum and increase its dominance in the second half. As the hour mark approached, Monaco United coach Marco Simone made an atypical decision. With a free kick to be delivered towards the opposition penalty area, he requested goalkeeper Pauline Moitrel to come forward.

MOITREL PROVES DECISIVE AT BOTH ENDS

Moitrel stepped forward and delivered a perfectly executed free kick, giving Monaco United the first goal of the game. Simone explained his decision, saying he “asked Pauline to take it because I know the quality of her strike and I believed she could create something from that situation. That goal was a reward for the confidence, courage, and hard work of the entire group.”

Following the goal, Monaco United once again created several chances but remained unable to find the second goal that would have given them some breathing room. Their opponents remained competitive, continuing to battle through to the final whistle.

Moitrel, back between the posts, made another decisive play as the clock was winding down. A long-range effort appeared to be heading towards the top corner, but Moitrel successfully tipped the ball away to preserve the lead she had given her team.

Following the final whistle, Monaco United’s 1-0 victory left them as the only team to have recorded three victories from three matches this season. Simone highlighted the importance of remaining focused following this success, saying, “It is a very strong start to the season, and the players deserve this first place. But what satisfies me most is their mindset: they win, they remain united, and they are learning to respond to different situations.”

A PERFECT WEEKEND FOR MONACO UNITED

The weekend proved significant for Monaco United as four of the club’s teams competed in league matches, with all four coming out victorious. The reserve side recorded an 11-0 victory over Fréjus, while the U15 and U18 teams also won their respective fixtures.

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Photo credit: Flare Vision

New Red Sea Yacht Show to take Monaco brand to Saudi Arabia

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/09/2026

The organisers behind the Monaco Yacht Show are expanding into Saudi Arabia with the launch of a new Red Sea event aimed at capturing superyachts as they leave the Mediterranean for the winter season.

The inaugural Red Sea Yacht Show will take place at Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina from 14th to 17th October 2027. Powered by the Monaco Yacht Show brand, it will be organised by Saudi events company Tahaluf in partnership with Sela.

Tahaluf is a joint venture involving Informa, the international events group that operates the Monaco Yacht Show, alongside the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones and the Events Investment Fund. The agreement represents a significant international extension of one of Monaco’s best-known luxury brands.

The announcement was made during the Monaco Yacht Show as Saudi Arabia presented a series of projects intended to establish its Red Sea coastline as a winter destination for the global yachting industry.

Scheduled shortly after the Mediterranean season, the Jeddah show is intended to coincide with the period when yachts traditionally reposition towards warmer waters. Saudi authorities are promoting the country’s access through the Suez Canal, winter climate and more than 1,800 kilometres of Red Sea coastline as an alternative cruising ground.

“The Saudi Red Sea is emerging as the natural winter extension of the Mediterranean yachting season,” said Hazim AlHazmi, President of the Europe and Americas Business Unit at the Saudi Tourism Authority. “With direct access via the Suez Canal, warm winter waters and more than 1,800 kilometres of coastline, Saudi offers yacht owners and captains the opportunity to continue cruising into the winter.”

New marinas and services support Saudi expansion

The show forms part of a broader effort to develop the infrastructure needed to attract visiting superyachts.

Red Sea Global used the Monaco event to launch Yachting Network, which will initially connect AMAALA Yacht Club and Shura Island Marina through a single berthing agreement from winter 2026.

Together, the two marinas will offer 278 berths: 119 at AMAALA and 159 at Shura Island. Both will be capable of accommodating yachts measuring up to 120 metres, while additional marinas and anchorages are expected to join the network in 2027.

The Saudi Red Sea Authority also announced RASA, a digital platform intended to bring licensing and permit procedures for coastal tourism into a single system. It is designed for yacht owners, operators, charter companies and investors navigating Saudi regulatory requirements.

Meanwhile, Sela and ICON Saudi signed a memorandum of understanding to examine the development of a specialist luxury-yacht maintenance facility in Jeddah. If delivered, the project would bring more substantial repair and technical services closer to yachts operating in the region.

AlHazmi said the announcements showed the Saudi Red Sea was moving “from an emerging yachting destination into an increasingly connected and operational cruising ecosystem”.

See also: 

Red Sea rising: AMAALA positions itself as the new Caribbean for luxury yachts

Monaco Life is written by qualified journalists, writing original content. Sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. 

Photo: The Saudi Red Sea Pavilion showcasing Saudi’s growing yachting offering at Monaco Yacht Show 2026, source: Saudi Tourism Authority (STA)

RIBCO and Brooks Brothers unite in style at the Monaco Yacht Show

by: Kayla Sauceda
28/09/2026

RIBCO and Brooks Brothers came together during the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show to showcase the worlds of luxury yachting and timeless American style at an elegant cocktail reception hosted at the Yacht Club de Monaco.

Held at the Brooks Brothers boutique within the Yacht Club de Monaco, over 300 guests joined for a celebration of RIBCO’s presence at the Monaco Yacht Show as the shipyard presented its latest model, the Venom 45 SC.

Konstantinos Tsouvelekakis, Laila Schlereth, Honorary Consul of Austria to Monaco, Sophia Tsouvelekakis, and Vanessa Raffaelli, SBM Events Promotion Manager, alongside a RIBCO model at the Brooks Brothers boutique.

The collaboration brought together two brands with unique but complementary identities. Renowned Greek shipyard RIBCO has built its reputation on high-performance RIB vessels designed with exceptional quality, meticulous attention to detail, and luxurious decks. Meanwhile, Brooks Brothers celebrates over two centuries of American fashion and style.

“We are delighted that the Monaco Yacht Show 2026 has proven to be another successful event for RIBCO,” said Makis Marinis, CEO and shareholder of RIBCO Monaco. “The occasion offered an ideal platform to showcase our latest model, the Venom 45 SC, and to connect with industry enthusiasts and valued clients.”

A MONACO MEETING OF TWO WORLDS

The Yacht Club de Monaco offered an exceptional setting for the collaboration, aligning RIBCO’s nautical expertise with Brooks Brothers’ longstanding commitment to craftsmanship and traditional style.

Konstantinos Tsouvelekakis, Iro Kambanis, Konstantinos Kanellopoulos, and Louise Grether, Director of Sotheby’s Monaco and President of Monaco Art Week, during the RIBCO and Brooks Brothers cocktail reception at the Yacht Club de Monaco.

“It is a pleasure to introduce RIBCO’s latest models to the patrons and loyal clients of Brooks Brothers here at the Yacht Club de Monaco,” said Konstantinos Tsouvelekakis, shareholder of RIBCO Monaco and Brooks Brothers Monaco. “This refined setting in the Principality acts as a perfect backdrop, not only for yacht club members but for all of Monaco’s residents and Monaco Yacht Show visitors alike.”

As part of one of Monaco’s most anticipated annual events, the evening offered both brands an opportunity to connect with an international audience and celebrate their shared focus on quality, craftsmanship, and design.

See more in the gallery below. Photos provided.

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Photos provided

Prince Albert II tours Benetti’s new hybrid superyacht as M/Y Dagger joins SEA Index

by: Virginia D’Umas
28/09/2026

A new 67-metre hybrid superyacht made its Monaco Yacht Show debut with Prince Albert II on board and a SEA Index certification to its name. The Prince toured Benetti’s Dagger on 24th September, highlighting a partnership with the Yacht Club de Monaco that aims to make the environmental performance of superyachts measurable.

The 67-metre Italian-built hybrid superyacht marked its debut at the show by officially joining the growing fleet of vessels certified by the SEA Index. 

The certification highlights the ongoing partnership between Benetti and the Yacht Club de Monaco in advancing sustainable and responsible yachting. It reflects the shipbuilder’s strategy to integrate practical solutions that reduce environmental impact without compromising performance or onboard comfort.

Expanding standards for sustainable yachting

Developed in 2020 by the Yacht Club de Monaco and Credit Suisse (an UBS Group brand), the SEA Index serves as an independent environmental standard for evaluating and comparing CO2 emissions across superyachts. Certified by Lloyd’s Register and built on verifiable data, the framework provides owners and industry professionals with a transparent benchmark to track and improve environmental performance.

More than 130 vessels over 24 metres currently hold the certification. The scope broadened at the start of the 2026 season to include boats starting from 10 metres, widening its reach across the global fleet while retaining a rigorous, independent methodology. Beyond carbon tracking, the initiative expanded in 2026 to incorporate an air-quality certification developed alongside AtmoSud, focusing on nitrogen oxides and fine particles. Future updates are set to introduce underwater radiated noise measurements to further evaluate maritime environmental impact.

Following the M/Y Kasper 7—Benetti’s first 67-metre yacht to secure the certification—the M/Y Dagger reinforces the shipyard’s commitment to low-emission navigation.

Benetti’s new 67-metre hybrid yacht Dagger. Photo credit: Benetti

Hybrid architecture and efficiency

Designed as hull FB288—the shipyard’s specific sequential project number used during construction—the M/Y Dagger pairs a conventional propulsion setup with electric technology and next-generation salt batteries. This modular system allows the yacht to adapt its energy profile to different navigation scenarios, optimising fuel consumption and power management whenever conditions permit.

The hybrid configuration also cuts down on noise and vibrations, raising standards for passenger comfort. 

Through this latest SEA Index certification, Benetti continues to align with the Yacht Club de Monaco’s broader ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ initiative, positioning environmental accountability as a core pillar of modern luxury shipbuilding.

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From left to right: Bernard d’Alessandri (General Secretary and General Manager of the Yacht Club de Monac0), Giovanna Vitelli (Chair of Azimut | Benetti Group, holding the SEA Index certification plaque awarded to the yacht) and Prince Albert II. Photo credit: Michaël Alesi – Palais Princier