1000 Miglia 2026: Brescia-Rome-Brescia, the show returns to the streets

A re-enactment with an eye already set on the centenary in 2027. The format confirms the eight-man route, inspired by the first twelve speed editions: the ascent and descent will intersect in Ferrara, the geometric and symbolic heart of a design that crosses Italy's UNESCO landscapes, mountain passes, and cities of art.

On Tuesday, June 9th, the roar of history will once again fill Viale Venezia: from the start, the convoy will ascend Valle Trompia and Valle Gobbia to Lumezzane, its first lunch stop. The Passo del Cavallo pass will open the door to Valle Sabbia and Lake Garda, then on to Vicenza, concluding the stage in Padua. This is the tone of the first day, a preview of the journey to come: gentle mountains, industrious plains, squares that smell of stone and memory.

On Wednesday, June 10th, a diagonal line runs from east to west: from Padua to the Ferrara plain, then Modena for lunch, and Reggio Emilia, the link before Abetone, the gateway to the Apennines that leads to the Art Nouveau elegance of Montecatini Terme, the final destination. Italy flows by the roadside like a new film: different backdrops, the same emotion.

On Thursday, June 11, the route turns toward the sea and the hills. The caravan leaves Montecatini and descends into Versilia, passing through Pietrasanta, an "open-air museum" and a finalist for Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2027. Then, Siena opens Piazza del Campo for a lunch that is both ritual and photographic. The light of the Lazio lakes—Bolsena and Vico—accompany the entry into Rome, the turning point that each year finds new ways to excite.

The climb back up begins on Friday, June 12th . The race pays homage to Assisi, in honor of Saint Francis, whose death marks the eighth centenary in 2026, and continues to Gubbio for a rest. Ahead, the sculpted gorge of the Furlo Gorge and then the Adriatic Sea of ​​Rimini, the last night before the return journey. It's a stage of inspiration: stone, forest, sea, all in just a few hours of road.

On Saturday, June 13th, the 2026 Mille Miglia leaves the coast, passes through the Cervia and Comacchio salt pans, heads for Ferrara to intersect with the outward route, and reaches Mantua for a final lunch. Then comes the grand finale: Brescia, Viale Venezia, the red carpet closing out five days and approximately 140 time trials through UNESCO-listed sites. Registration opens on November 4th: the countdown has already begun.

An ecosystem that reflects the present revolves around the main event. The 1000 Miglia Green, dedicated to alternative fuels, and the Ferrari Tribute 1000 Miglia, a showcase of Maranello models from 1958 to the present, have been confirmed. Two Freccia Rossa-branded "previews" will return in the spring: the Coppa delle Alpi (March 12–15), which in 2026 chooses St. Moritz as the start and finish point in a circular format with around 90 circuits and will serve as the inaugural event of the Italian Grandi Eventi Championship, and the 1000 Miglia Experience Italy (April 9–12), a journey through Puglia from Bari to Polignano a Mare, Lecce, and Taranto, including Alberobello, Ostuni, Brindisi, Otranto, and Gallipoli. Registration for the Coppa opens on October 29: a calendar that brings together heritage and experiential tourism.

The Freccia Rossa continues its international expansion: today, it has six events abroad in Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and East Asia. The recognition as a Historic Brand of National Interest certifies that the 1000 Miglia is now synonymous with Italian excellence. "It is a heritage to be preserved and projected into the future," emphasizes Aldo Bonomi, president of the Automobile Club Brescia, recalling the work carried out towards the 1000 Miglia Foundation for even more shared governance. Beatrice Saottini, president of 1000 Miglia Srl, emphasizes the loyalty to the figure-eight route and punctuates the stops stage by stage; Fulvio D'Alvia, CEO of 1000 Miglia Srl, sets the objectives: protecting the heritage, expanding global awareness, launching cultural and sustainability projects, and engaging young people from primary to secondary schools.

There's also room for solidarity: Zebra Onlus remains the official charity. Following the state-of-the-art ultrasound machine donated to the Children's Hospital of Brescia, the new "ZEBRA – Family Space" project will create a welcoming environment—starting with a nursery for the siblings of young patients—capable of transforming care into a community experience.

Thus, the 2026 Mille Miglia prepares to rewrite its narrative: tradition and innovation, territories and people, classic cars and new technologies. The rest will be done by the road: a ribbon of asphalt that stitches Italy together and, kilometer after kilometer, reawakens memory.