Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza (Lake Como, Italy)

Villa d’Este Classic Car Show (Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este)

Definition and Historical Prestige
The Villa d'Este Classic Car Show, officially known as Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, was founded in 1929 on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. It stands as the world's most traditional and prestigious classic car concours d'elegance, sharing top billing with the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance as one of the two premier historic motoring events globally. Jointly organised by BMW Group Classic and the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este on Lake Como, BMW has been a steadfast sponsor and deeply involved in running the event since 2005. Its unique charm lies in staging the competition within the Renaissance-era gardens of Villa d'Este, seamlessly integrating vehicle displays with classic Italian landscape architecture and the natural beauty of Lake Como to create an immersive experience unmatched by other concours events.

2026 Event Overview
The 2026 edition took place from 15 to 17 May, gathering approximately 50 premier historic machines from across the globe to compete across eight classes. The event's most coveted accolade, the "Trofeo BMW Group – Best of Show", was adjudicated by a professional jury panel, with the 2026 honours going to a 1937 BMW 328 "Bügelfalte" racer—a rare Mille Miglia veteran, coinciding with the 90th anniversary of the BMW 328 in 2026. Meanwhile, the public-voted "Coppa d’Oro" was presented to a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, one of the final units produced by the factory.

2026 Competition Classes
The curation of the eight competition classes reflects Villa d’Este's distinctive thematic vision:

• Class A Automotive Tailors: The Era of Opulence, 1924-1934

• Class B Future Haute Couture: Dressed for Speed, 1935-1939

• Class C Long Live Villa d'Este: 1950s Luxury Style

• Class D "Tops Down, Prices Up": Selling the Sunshine

• Class E They Won Their Names: Enzo's Endurance Legends

• Class F Every Scratch Tells a Story: Ageing Gracefully Unrestored

• Class G From Carnaby Street to the Highway: The Swinging GT Drivers

• Class H Race of Speed: The Maturation of the Supercar

Among these, Class E was dedicated exclusively to Ferrari endurance racers, while Class F focused on preserved, unrestored "time capsule" vehicles, highlighting Villa d'Este's deep appreciation for original authenticity.

BMW Group's Dual Role
BMW’s presence at Villa d'Este extends well beyond conventional title sponsorship. During the 2026 staging, the BMW Group hosted two world premieres: the newly standalone BMW ALPINA brand made its public debut, underscoring its positioning as an exclusive luxury marque within the BMW Group portfolio; BMW Motorrad also unveiled the Vision K18 concept motorcycle, powered by an 1,800 cc inline six-cylinder engine. Concurrently, BMW Group Classic marked the 40th anniversary of the BMW M3 with a dedicated "Touring Car Legends" exhibition featuring the iconic E30 M3 alongside its period rivals, accompanied by a live panel discussion with former BMW works drivers Johnny Cecotto, Emanuele Pirro, and Roberto Ravaglia.

Public Days and Supporting Activities
The "Public Day – Il Festival" on Sunday (17 May) opened its gates to motoring enthusiasts, allowing visitors to view the vehicle parade within the Villa Erba parklands. On Saturday, the "Amici & Automobili – Wheels & Weisswürscht" gathering brought together around 120 cars from various European marque clubs at the Villa Erba grounds, highlighted by the "BMW M3 Meadow" display featuring every generation of the M3 in celebration of its four-decade milestone.

Auction Collaboration
Serving as the official auction partner, Broad Arrow Auctions hosted a dedicated sale during the event from 16 to 17 May, offering over 70 high-calibre collector cars. Key highlights included a 1929 Bugatti Type 43 Roadster, a 1926 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix, a 1990 Ferrari F40, and a 2011 BMW M3 GTS.

Visitor Information
The core concours competition is staged within the private grounds of Grand Hotel Villa d'Este, whilst the public day and ancillary events are hosted at the adjacent Villa Erba estate. Admission tickets are available via the official website, with media accreditation having opened in February 2026. Dates for the 2027 edition have yet to be officially announced, though the event is traditionally held over a weekend in mid-to-late May.