Giro d’Italia to end in Rome next year, for the eighth time, in what the capital hopes will become an annual tradition.
The final stage of the 109th edition of the Giro d’Italia, the cycling world’s second-biggest annual stage race after the Tour de France, will be held in Rome on 31 May 2026.
The prestigious sporting event, which will cover 3,459 kilometres, starts in Bulgaria on 8 May and will conclude three weeks later in Italy’s capital.
The grand finale of the 2026 route incorporates the historic centre as well as the coast at Ostia, taking in numerous Roman landmarks along the way and ending against the backdrop of the Colosseum.
Last year the final stage of the prestigious race featured a symbolic cycle through the Vatican, for the first time, in a tribute to Pope Francis.
The return of the Giro d’Italia to Rome in 2026 comes amid renewed calls by the city administration for the Italian capital to host the final stage of the race every year.
Rome tourism councillor Alessandro Onorato, speaking at a presentation on Monday, said the grand finale of the Giro d’Italia “must become a tradition for the capital”, claiming the city has proven itself to be “reliable and efficient”.
Hailing it as “a popular celebration that engages the entire city, from the historic centre to Ostia”, Onorato said the sporting event “conveys a positive image of Rome and provides significant visibility abroad with millions of viewers worldwide”.
The grand finale of the #GirodItalia as it passes the Circus Maximus in Rome pic.twitter.com/Ujp5ahbpdl
— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) May 26, 2024
It will be the eighth time that the famed cycling event culminates in Rome, after previous Roman editions in 1911, 1950, 2009, 2018, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
In 2018 organisers cut short the race due to the poor condition of Rome’s streets at the time, leading to much criticism directed at then mayor Virginia Raggi.
The Giro d’Italia has been held annually since its first edition in 1909, except during the two world wars.
The 2025 edition of the men’s race was won by British champion Simon Yates while the Giro d’Italia Women was won by Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini for the second year in a row.
For full details of the 2026 event see the official Giro d’Italia website.
Photo credit: Raffaele Conti 88 / Shutterstock.com.
