If you are going to be in Rome between June 25 and 28, don’t miss the Vespa Roma 2026 – 80 Years Of An Icon event. The Foro Italico Complex becomes Vespa Village and its Stadio dei Marmi transforms into Vespa Stadium, for the long weekend of festivities along the River Tiber.

“The Vespa has always had a special relationship with Italy and the Eternal City, and has been celebrated by cinema and the arts, which have helped to make it an icon of Made in Italy and the Italian lifestyle,” explained Piaggio Group Executive Chairman Matteo Colaninno. “So, my heartfelt thanks go to the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, who has agreed to host this great four-day event in the capital, with tens of thousands of Vespa enthusiasts arriving from around the world.”

“The Vespa’s 80th anniversary will be a wonderful public festival for Rome,” said Mayor Gualtieri. “We are celebrating an Italian icon that is known and loved all over the world, a scooter that has kept its appeal intact from one generation to the next. The Vespa represents an important part of our history, our culture, and Italy’s ability to innovate without losing its identity. Rome has helped to turn it into a legend through the movies and culture, and is proud to host this remarkable celebration. We are delighted to welcome thousands of Vespisti from around the world to our city to share this important anniversary together, in an atmosphere of passion and friendship.”

“This is the greatest celebration in the history of the Vespa, and this is why we have chosen Rome, the capital of Italy,” Colaninno said. “The Vespa was created in 1946 with the Italian Republic. In 80 years, it has witnessed changing times, lifestyles, and generations. Its journey is indissolubly linked with the history of Italy: the difficulties and hopes of the postwar period, the recovery of the 1950s and 1960s, the economic boom and mobility, through to the latest decades, which have seen the Vespa phenomenon spread across the whole world. Today, we are on the cusp of 20 million scooters bringing life and color to the streets of towns and cities across every continent.”

The celebration of Vespa’s 80th anniversary begins on Thursday, June 25, with the presentation of a commemorative coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato at the behest of the Italian Ministry of Economy & Finance. There will also be an “80 Years of Vespa” photography exhibition curated by noted photographer Giacomo Bretzes. Later in the day, there will be live music and DJ Molella adding to the festivities.

Friday activities start at 10 a.m. in the Vespa Village and are led by the Vespa Clubs. The European Vespa Rally Championship will be held, challenging riders’ navigation and timing skills. The Gymkhana World Championship, which is all about rewarding technical riding skills. WAD takes over the DJing duties, with Radio Deejay handling the organization.

On Saturday, the Vespa Parade traverses the streets of Rome. Later, there will be a Treasure Hunt at Vespa Village. Awards ceremonies for the Vespa World Club Sport and Touring activities. Of course, there are more games and music.

A Vespa Concours d’Elegance closes out the weekend on Sunday. More games will be played and awards handed out.