BMW Group Revs Up For Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2026

BMW Group Classic is steering the legendary Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este back to the shores of Lake Como from 15 to 17 May 2026, promising a weekend steeped in automotive grandeur, motorsport heritage and lakeside glamour. Organised in partnership with the luxury hotel Villa d’Este, the event will bring together around 50 of the most spectacular automobiles ever built, each competing for the coveted trophies awarded by a top-class jury. Eight meticulously curated competition classes span decades of motoring history, from the opulent coachbuilt creations of the 1920s and 1930s through to the golden age of the supercar, with a dedicated category celebrating unrestored survivors that wear every scratch and patina mark with pride.

The centrepiece of this year’s celebrations is a spectacular tribute marking 40 years of the BMW M3. A special exhibition titled “Touring Car Legends” will occupy the grounds of Villa Erba, showcasing legendary E30 M3 racing machines alongside the rival touring cars they battled on circuits across the globe. Three former BMW works drivers, Johnny Cecotto, Emanuele Pirro and Roberto Ravaglia, will be on hand to share stories from their competition careers and take part in a dedicated fan talk session. The M3 anniversary extends beyond the exhibition, with an entire lakeside meadow at Villa Erba given over to examples spanning every generation of the iconic sports saloon.

The weekend also marks a significant moment for BMW ALPINA, which will make its first public appearance at Lake Como following the launch of its new brand identity in early 2026. As a manufacturer of automobiles crafted for enthusiasts who value the extraordinary, the Concorso d’Eleganza provides a fitting stage for ALPINA to introduce itself directly to the public under its refreshed identity within the BMW Group. BMW Motorrad will add further spectacle with the unveiling of a striking new vision vehicle that pushes the boundaries of performance and design.

Saturday’s programme features the traditional Concorso d’Eleganza parade along the Villa d’Este terrace, where entrants compete for the main prize, the Trofeo BMW Group Best of Show, as well as individual class victories, the Coppa d’Oro audience award presented by Villa d’Este, and the Trofeo del Presidente. Star tenor and BMW Group Classic brand ambassador Jonas Kaufmann returns to present the Trofeo Il Canto del Motore, awarded by the jury for the finest engine note of the weekend. The overall winner receives a unique A. Lange and Sohne 1815 Chronograph in 18-carat white gold, a fitting companion from a watchmaker that has partnered with the Concorso for 15 years. Broad Arrow Auctions returns as the official auction partner, offering more than 70 of the world’s most desirable collector cars for sale across the weekend.

Sunday opens the gates to the wider public with the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Public Day, Il Festival, bringing the elegance and spectacle of the main event to a broader audience at Villa Erba. The popular Amici and Automobili, Wheels and Weisswurscht gathering also returns on Saturday, welcoming car enthusiasts, clubs and communities from around the world to display approximately 120 vehicles spanning all marques, eras and styles. It is a weekend that celebrates the motorcar in all its forms, from priceless pre-war rarities to the M3 that changed touring car racing forever, and BMW Group Classic sits proudly at the wheel.