Coppa Milano-Sanremo celebrates 120 years of Italy’s oldest motor race

Only a few weeks remain before the return of the XVII Historical Re-enactment of the Coppa Milano-Sanremo, scheduled from March 26 to 29, 2026, an edition that marks a special milestone as the event celebrates the 120th anniversary of the oldest motor race in Italy. The event continues to stand as one of the most prestigious gatherings in the historic motoring calendar, combining sporting competition with the celebration of the territories it crosses and a lifestyle-oriented travelling experience that has always been part of the DNA of the Coppa Milano-Sanremo.
The race traces its origins back to April 4, 1906, when fourteen adventurous gentlemen drivers gathered in Via Marina in Milan, in front of the headquarters of the Automobile Club Milano, to start the first edition of the event. The original route measured around 310 kilometres, connecting Milan with Acqui Terme before continuing towards Sanremo along the winding roads that Milanese travellers used to take when heading to the Ligurian Riviera for their holidays. More than a century later, Automobile Club Milano still plays a central role in the organization of the event, officially supporting the race and guaranteeing operational backing. Through its sporting authority ACI Sport, the Coppa Milano-Sanremo also retains its competitive value within the Italian Championship of Major Events, confirming its status among the most important historic motoring competitions.
“The Coppa Milano-Sanremo represents an important chapter in the history of Italian motorsport because it is the oldest car race in our country,” said Pietro Meda, President of Automobile Club Milano. “Top regularity drivers will take part in the event, driving cars that represent important moments in automotive history and competing on a very demanding route. The 2026 edition will once again be exciting, driven by the sporting spirit and the tradition that have always characterized this legendary race.”
Over the years the route has naturally expanded beyond the original course and now exceeds 700 kilometres of competition, while still maintaining the spirit of the historic Milan-Sanremo route with a symbolic return to Acqui Terme, one of the key locations of the first edition. The event will begin with the traditional tests at the Temple of Speed in Monza, before concluding the opening day with the Opening Gala Dinner in Milan. On Friday, March 27, crews will start from the Snai San Siro Hippodrome, an iconic location in Milanese sporting tradition, before heading through the landscapes of Piedmont with a stop in Tortona, where lunch will be served at the historic Castello di Piovera in the heart of the Monferrato region. The rally will then continue through Rapallo to Genoa, where the second day will end at the Circolo Artistico Tunnel, one of the renowned Rolli Palaces and a prestigious Genoese club that will exceptionally open its doors to the participants of the Coppa Milano-Sanremo.
On Saturday, March 28, competitors will tackle special tests within the city of Genoa before heading towards the Western Ligurian Riviera, with a stop at Marina di Loano for lunch at the Badaia restaurant located within the marina’s Yacht Club. From there the rally will continue towards Acqui Terme through a series of regularity and time trials before reaching Sanremo, where the sporting competition will conclude. The day will end with the awards ceremony and the Gala Dinner at the iconic rooftop of the Sanremo Casino. On Sunday, March 29, competitors will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the City of Flowers or take part in an exclusive non-competitive Tribute event at the historic Ospedaletti circuit, which will bring the event to a close. As tradition dictates, the event will also host the historic “Coppa delle Dame”, a prize introduced in the early twentieth century to celebrate the growing participation of female crews in the Coppa Milano-Sanremo.