Lake Como Fires Up As Villa d’Este 2026 Opens Entries Today

From 15 to 17 May 2026, BMW Group Classic will stage the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este alongside the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este, turning Lake Como into a rolling gallery of coachbuilt craftsmanship. Around 50 standout automobiles will line up for the event’s top honours, with the jury selecting an overall Best of Show from a field built to stop you in your tracks.

The early class themes hint at a grid packed with variety: flamboyant 1950s design, roof-down glamour, endurance-bred legends, and patinated survivors that wear every stone chip like a badge. The swinging GT era and the moment the supercar truly found its stride are also on the menu, promising everything from elegant grand tourers to wedge-shaped performance icons.

Entries are still being accepted, and the concours will again pair heritage with forward-thinking design through its concept car gathering. BMW has additional reasons to make noise in 2026, spotlighting major anniversaries including the BMW 328’s 90th year, plus milestones for the M3, 6 Series and 02 Series, with celebrations centred around Villa Erba.

Villa Erba also hosts the public-facing side of the weekend, with the Public Day programme returning on Sunday for a full car parade and a family-friendly schedule. “Amici & Automobili – Wheels & Weisswürscht” is back as well, bringing club metal from across Europe for a relaxed meet-up where the soundtrack is idling engines and the smell is unmistakably Bavarian.

Sponsors including A. Lange & Söhne, Broad Arrow Auctions and Vranken Pommery are set to feature again, with Broad Arrow returning to run collector-car auctions across the weekend. Media accreditation is now open via the event website’s media portal, with further programme details due to be announced in spring.