From 15 to 17 May 2026, fifty-four cars from thirteen countries paraded between the gardens of Villa d'Este and the park of Villa Erba, and the winner was a 1937 BMW 328 described as “the only special roadster ever built in Munich”. How the concours that has enlivened Lake Como since 1929 works.
Every May, Lake Como fills with coachwork that no longer exists in showrooms. The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is a contest in which the cars do not race: they parade before a jury and an audience, and are judged on beauty, originality and state of preservation. For anyone coming to the lake to play golf, it is also a chance to see up close the villa where they are staying, or might stay.
What it is, and since when it has existed
The Hotel Villa d'Este in Cernobbio states that the Concorso has been held at the villa since 1929; Wikipedia gives 1 September 1929 as the inaugural date. Again according to Wikipedia, the concours has been organised by the BMW Group together with the hotel since 2009, and generally features around fifty cars, built between the 1920s and the 1970s, divided into classes. The 2020 edition was cancelled because of the pandemic. Its history, in short, is long but not linear.
Two trophies not to be confused
The concours awards prizes of different kinds:
- The Best of Show, or “BMW Group Trophy – Best of Show”, goes to the car judged best by the panel of experts.
- The Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este is awarded by public referendum.
- There are then the class prizes, and a Concorso d'Eleganza Design Award for design cars.
The 2026 edition: what happened
The 2026 edition took place from 15 to 17 May at two venues on the lake: the gardens of Villa d'Este and the park of Villa Erba. 54 cars from 13 countries competed, in eight classes, from the earliest automobiles to contemporary concepts.
- Best of Show: the 1937 BMW 328 “Bügelfalte”, owned by the Italian Stefano Martinoli, described by the press as “the only special roadster ever built at the Munich plant”.
- Coppa d'Oro: the 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster of Eric Blumencranz, an American. The prize is awarded by public vote.
- Other class winners: a 1933 Delage D8 in the class of opulence and a 2000 Volkswagen W12 Nardò among the supercars.
- BMW news: the group presented two world premieres, the Vision BMW Alpina (a coupé) and the concept motorcycle Vision K18.
For tickets, public opening days and accreditation, it is best to contact the concours organisers directly.
Where it sits in Villa d'Este's year
For the hotel, the concours is one of the high points: Villa d'Este places it in May, the month when the season is already under way and the garden, one of the Grandi Giardini Italiani, is at its best. The villa dates from 1568, built as the summer residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, and has been a hotel since 1873. It has 151 rooms in a ten-hectare park; the floating pool on the lake opened in 1966.
Golf, on the same lake
Those who come for the concours can combine it with a round. The Montorfano club, the Circolo Golf Villa d'Este, is about 14 kilometres from Cernobbio: 18 holes, par 69, designed by Peter Gannon in 1926, at about 400 metres above sea level, with twelve Italian Opens played. In 2026 it celebrates its centenary. The course is open from March to December, every day except Tuesday. The hotel bought the club back in 2024.
For a second course on the lake, there is the Menaggio e Cadenabbia Golf Club, founded on 10 January 1907, the second oldest in Italy: 18 holes, par 70, above Lake Como.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este held?+
Every year in May. The 2026 edition took place from 15 to 17 May, between Villa d'Este and Villa Erba in Cernobbio.
Since when has the concours existed?+
The Hotel Villa d'Este gives 1929 as the starting year; Wikipedia reports 1 September 1929 as the inaugural date.
Who organises it?+
The BMW Group together with the Hotel Villa d'Este, since 2009 according to Wikipedia.
Who won in 2026?+
The Best of Show went to the 1937 BMW 328 “Bügelfalte” of Stefano Martinoli. The Coppa d'Oro, awarded by the public, went to the 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster of Eric Blumencranz.
How many cars take part?+
Generally around fifty, from different eras. In 2026 there were 54, from 13 countries, in eight classes.
Can I play golf if I come for the concours?+
Yes. The Circolo Golf Villa d'Este in Montorfano, about 14 kilometres away, is open from March to December except Tuesday; tee times are booked through the hotel's Guest Relations or the club office.
