Anantara Concorso Roma Sets April 16 to 19, 2026

Published on Sep 4, 2025, 1:50 pm CDT

5 min read

Anantara Concorso Roma will make its inaugural bow in the Eternal City from April 16 to 19, 2026, with UBS as presenting partner and Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome as host hotel. Organizers confirm a bigger footprint that now includes Casina Valadier and Piazza Bucarest in Villa Borghese, plus a black tie dinner at Palazzo Brancaccio. The Rome car concours will spotlight Italian automotive icons across eras, with early confirmed entries such as a 1902 FIAT 12/16 hp, a 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 Zagato, and a 1963 Ferrari 275P. Day passes start from €95 (EUR), about $105.00 (USD).

Key Points

Why it matters: A new flagship Italian car show adds a marquee spring weekend to Rome's luxury calendar.
Travel impact: Larger showfields and central venues should draw more visitors near Termini and Villa Borghese.
What's next: Ticketing tiers and VVIP packages expand, with additional participating cars to be announced.
Partners: UBS presenting, with Richard Mille and Lockton supporting.
Access: Most travelers will use Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO) or Rome Ciampino G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA).

Snapshot

Centered on Piazza della Repubblica, the semi-circular Anantara Palazzo Naiadi frames fountains and neoclassical colonnades, setting a theatrical stage for the Rome car concours. The expanded 2026 plan stretches from the historic Casina Valadier to the circular Piazza Bucarest in Villa Borghese, creating a continuous, photogenic show route. Expect a Champagne reception, owner hospitality, and curated sightseeing woven into judging and parade moments. Most international arrivals will route via Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO), while select low-cost and private flights use Rome Ciampino G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA). Day passes begin at €95, with weekend and VVIP packages bundling lodging at the host hotel, dining, and premier access to stands and ceremonies.

Background

The event was initially slated for 2025, then postponed out of respect following the passing of Pope Francis in April 2025 and related state and religious events in Rome. Organizers subsequently fixed the 2026 dates and reconfirmed key partnerships with UBS, Richard Mille, and Lockton, positioning the concours as a spring anchor for high-end travel to Rome. The refreshed program leans into la dolce vita, pairing Italian automotive heritage with Roman hospitality and venues chosen for visual impact, logistics, and proximity to central transport. For broader brand context, see Anantara Hotels & Resorts. For context on recent Rome demand patterns after Jubilee-year shifts, see Rome Jubilee Rentals Fall Flat as Pilgrim Surge Stalls.

Latest Developments

Venues and program scale up across Villa Borghese

The 2026 edition enlarges its showfield beyond Casina Valadier to include Piazza Bucarest, a circular plaza at the edge of Villa Borghese that naturally funnels foot traffic and cameras. An elevated hospitality layer adds an Owners' Marquee for lunch, a rooftop welcome at the host hotel, and the Grand Palazzo dinner at Palazzo Brancaccio, a frescoed residence near Santa Maria Maggiore. The public-facing rhythm remains classic concours, with Friday's Giro d'Anantara touring drive departing from Piazza della Repubblica, Saturday judging on the lawns and plazas, and a Sunday finale with class awards and Best of Show.

Ticketing, access, and early headline cars

Advance tiers range from day passes to VVIP weekend packages that combine prime access with a stay at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi. Early confirmed entries showcase Italian design across decades, including a 1902 FIAT 12/16 hp, 1938 Lancia Astura 4 Serie Tipo 41 Cabriolet, 1951 Cisitalia 202 SC Gran Sport Cabriolet, 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 Zagato, and 1963 Ferrari 275P. The lineup underscores the event's focus on Italian marques, positioning the Anantara Concorso Roma as a new reference point among European spring shows and as a natural complement to luxury-travel itineraries centered on Rome's historic core.

Analysis

Rome in mid-April blends pleasant weather with active cultural programming, a sweet spot for a high-spend audience that values design, cuisine, and walkable spectacle. By anchoring the show at Piazza della Repubblica and extending into Villa Borghese, organizers reduce transfer friction and maximize scenic density, a critical factor for both guests and media. Proximity to Termini rail, Metro lines, and arterial roads should ease flows during parade moments, although temporary traffic controls are likely around the gardens and squares. Consider booking lodgings within a fifteen-minute walk to minimize reliance on taxis within limited-traffic zones.

From a luxury-travel perspective, the pairing of a Rome car concours with gala dining at Palazzo Brancaccio widens the event's appeal to design and culinary travelers. Expect incremental demand for premium suites, chef's-table reservations, and private shopping experiences through the weekend. Given Italy's strong 2025 tourism trajectory and ongoing brand-led openings, supply may tighten earlier than usual. Use flexible booking windows and refundable rates, and watch airline schedules into FCO and CIA as spring timetables finalize. For macro context, see Italy Travel Boom: What 2025's Record Numbers Mean for Visitors.

Final Thoughts

Anantara Concorso Roma arrives with a central-city canvas, a refined hospitality program, and a roster built around Italian automotive icons. The result is a spring weekend that marries parade energy, concours discipline, and Roman settings built for photography and fine dining. Travelers who value curated access should prioritize VVIP packages and walkable hotels near the showfields, while day visitors can still tap into the spectacle across Villa Borghese. With Rome's profile rising among luxury seekers, April is poised to become a fixture for the Anantara Concorso Roma.