2026 Giro d’Italia
May 8, 2026 – May 31, 2026 CEST
The 2026 Giro d’Italia is one of cycling’s three prestigious “Grand Tours.” Famously known for its grueling climbs, passionate fans (the tifosi), and the iconic Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey) worn by the overall leader, this edition promises to be a historic journey across Bulgaria and Italy.
📅 When and Where is the 2026 Giro d’Italia?
- Dates: Friday, May 8th – Sunday, May 31st, 2026.
- The Grande Partenza: For the first time, the race begins in Bulgaria for the first three stages.
- The Finish: The 2026 Giro d’Italia concludes with a spectacular grand finale in Rome.
📊 2026 Giro d’Italia Race Program and Statistics
The 2026 route is a test of extreme endurance, heavily favoring pure climbers due to the minimal time-trialling kilometers and massive vertical gain.
- Total Distance: 3,459 km
- Total Climbing: 49,150 m
- Individual Time Trials (ITT): 1 (40.2 km)
- Flat Stages: 8 (Sprinter favorites)
- Medium-Mountain Stages: 7 (Attackers and breakaways)
- High-Mountain Stages: 5 (Including 7 summit finishes and multiple 2,000m+ peaks)
🗺️ Official 2026 Giro d’Italia Route Schedule
| Stage | Date | Start / Finish | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fri 08/05 | Nessebar / Несебър – Burgas / Бургас | 156 km | Flat |
| 2 | Sat 09/05 | Burgas / Бургас – Veliko Tarnovo / Велико Търново | 220 km | Hilly |
| 3 | Sun 10/05 | Plovdiv / Пловдив – Sofia / София | 174 km | Flat |
| — | Mon 11/05 | Rest Day / Transfer to Italy | — | — |
| 4 | Tue 12/05 | Catanzaro – Cosenza | 144 km | Hilly |
| 5 | Wed 13/05 | Praia a Mare – Potenza | 204 km | Medium Mountain |
| 6 | Thu 14/05 | Paestum – Napoli | 161 km | Flat |
| 7 | Fri 15/05 | Formia – Blockhaus | 246 km | Mountain (Summit Finish) |
| 8 | Sat 16/05 | Chieti – Fermo | 159 km | Hilly |
| 9 | Sun 17/05 | Cervia – Corno alle Scale | 184 km | Mountain (Summit Finish) |
| — | Mon 18/05 | Rest Day | — | — |
| 10 | Tue 19/05 | Viareggio – Massa (TUDOR ITT) | 40.2 km | Time Trial |
| 11 | Wed 20/05 | Porcari (Paper District) – Chiavari | 178 km | Hilly |
| 12 | Thu 21/05 | Imperia – Novi Ligure | 177 km | Flat |
| 13 | Fri 22/05 | Alessandria – Verbania | 186 km | Flat |
| 14 | Sat 23/05 | Aosta – Pila | 133 km | Mountain (Summit Finish) |
| 15 | Sun 24/05 | Voghera – Milano | 136 km | Flat |
| — | Mon 25/05 | Rest Day | — | — |
| 16 | Tue 26/05 | Bellinzona – Carì | 113 km | Mountain (Summit Finish) |
| 17 | Wed 27/05 | Cassano d’Adda – Andalo | 200 km | Medium Mountain |
| 18 | Thu 28/05 | Fai della Paganella – Pieve di Soligo | 167 km | Hilly |
| 19 | Fri 29/05 | Feltre – Alleghe (Piani di Pezzè) | 151 km | Mountain (Summit Finish) |
| 20 | Sat 30/05 | Gemona del Friuli – Piancavallo | 199 km | Mountain (Summit Finish) |
| 21 | Sun 31/05 | Roma – Roma | 131 km | Flat / Finale |
🎟️ Tickets for the 2026 Giro d’Italia
One of the best things about the 2026 Giro d’Italia is that watching from the roadside is completely free of charge. However, there are premium options for fans seeking a specialized experience:
- Roadside Viewing: No tickets required. Simply find a spot on the route (especially on mountain passes) early in the day.
- Grandstand Seating: Tickets are often available for purchase for the finish line bleachers in major cities like Rome and Milan.
- Giro Club Hospitality: Premium “Start” and “Finish” hospitality tickets provide catering, large-screen viewing, and exclusive access to the podium area.
- Official Tour Operators: Many fans book all-inclusive packages that include hotel, transport, and “Pass” access to restricted zones.
✈️ Travelling to the 2026 Giro d’Italia
Italy is well-connected by air and rail. Your primary entry points will depend on the stages you target:
- By Air: * Milan (MXP/LIN): Best for the Alps and the middle stages.
- Venice (VCE): Perfect for the Dolomites and Friuli (Stages 18–20).
- Rome (FCO): Ideal for the Grand Finale (Stage 21).
- By Train: Use Trenitalia (Frecciarossa) and Italo high-speed networks to move between major finish cities of the 2026 Giro d’Italia.
🏨 Where to Stay for the 2026 Giro d’Italia
- City Centers: Look for “Giro Villages” in finish cities where the 18 WorldTour teams often stay.
- Mountain Stages: Seek out Agriturismi (farm stays) or B&Bs in the valleys near climbs like Blockhaus or Piancavallo.
- Cyclist-Friendly: Many hotels in Northern Italy are specialized “Bike Hotels” with secure workshops and storage.
🚲 2026 Giro d’Italia Fan Experience
- The Carovana: Arrive at the finish at least 2 hours early to enjoy the publicity caravan—a festive parade of sponsors handing out free souvenirs.
- The Pink Spirit: Wear pink to join the tifosi in celebrating the 109th Corsa Rosa.
- Top Viewing Spots: * Stage 7 (Blockhaus): A legendary climb that will attract massive crowds.
- Stage 10 (Tuscan ITT): Great for seeing riders individually at high speeds.
- Stage 20 (Piancavallo): The final mountain showdown of the 2026 Giro d’Italia.
🔗 Helpful Links for the 2026 Giro d’Italia
- Official Giro d’Italia Website
- UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale)
- Italia.it (Official Italian Tourism)
- Bulgaria Travel Portal
Last Updated on December 19, 2025 by Sports Tourist