With just a few days to go until the official start, the 2026 Mille Miglia is preparing to renew its timeless allure. The forty-fourth re-enactment of the “most beautiful race in the world” was presented on Friday, May 29, in the Salone Vanvitelliano of Palazzo Loggia in Brescia, the symbolic city of the Freccia Rossa and the start and finish point of the event.
The 2026 edition will take on a particularly significant significance: it will be the last major event before the historic centenary in 2027. For the occasion, the 1000 Miglia will once again feature the famous “figure eight” route, inspired by the layout of the first editions of the speed race, ideally embracing Italy through places, territories, and scenarios that tell the story of the country’s history and identity.
The convoy will depart from Brescia on Tuesday, June 9th and will cover a nearly 2,000-kilometer route over five days. After departing from Viale Venezia, the crews will cross Lombardy and Veneto to Padua, before continuing on the second leg to Ferrara, Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Montecatini Terme, passing through the Abetone Pass.
The third day will take the cars to the heart of Tuscany, passing through Lucca, Pietrasanta, Pisa, Pontedera, Siena, and the picturesque Val d’Orcia, before arriving in Rome. From there, the route will begin its ascent northward: on Friday, June 12th, the convoy will pass through Terni, Foligno, Assisi, Gualdo Tadino, Gubbio, the Furlo Gorge, and San Marino, with a stage finish in Rimini. On Saturday, June 13th, after passing through Cervia, Ferrara, and Mantua, the race will return to Brescia for the traditional final finish.
From a sporting perspective, the 2026 1000 Miglia promises to be particularly challenging. Crews from 33 countries will be called upon to tackle 144 time trials and 8 average speed trials, in a constant balance of precision, concentration, and management skills along the entire route.
As per tradition, the event will also be a veritable traveling museum. Among the cars on the starting grid will be numerous pre-war Alfa Romeo sports cars, Ferrari racing cars, Jaguar C-Types, Maserati A6 GCSs, and as many as 79 “Participant” cars, namely vehicles that took part in the Mille Miglia speed race between 1927 and 1957. A unique technical, historical, and cultural heritage, capable of transforming each stage into a celebration of international motorsport.
Brescia will be anticipating the start with a packed program of events. Technical and sporting checks will begin on Sunday, June 7th at the Brixia Forum, while Piazza Vittoria will host the 1000 Miglia Village, with events, meetings, and institutional events. Monday, June 8th will be dedicated to Holy Mass in the Cathedral, the stamping of the cars, and the 1000 Miglia Talk, before the official start scheduled for Tuesday, June 9th at 11:30 a.m.
The 1000 Miglia thus confirms itself as much more than a competition: it is a collective ritual, a bridge between memory and future, a celebration of Italian excellence that unites sport, culture, territory, and passion. With its eye already on its centenary, the Freccia Rossa is ready to write a new chapter in its legend.