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A colourful two-wheel wave has flooded the streets of the historic centre of Rome. Around 25,000 Vespa riders from 67 different countries gathered in the Eternal City to celebrate 80 years of the world’s most famous and best-loved scooter.
The event “Vespa Roma 2026 – 80 years of an icon,” running from 25 to 28 June, is drawing thousands of visitors and onlookers, turning the capital into the global hub of Italian motor culture.
The most spectacular moment of the celebrations took place on Saturday morning with the grand city parade. Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, officially set the procession in motion, proudly led by the presidents of the Vespa Clubs from the sixty-seven nations represented.
Setting off from the historic Baths of Caracalla, the long snaking column headed towards the Colosseum, circled the Altare della Patria in Piazza Venezia and then rode along the Imperial Forums, to the applause and camera flashes of thousands of delighted residents and tourists.
Vespa: eighty years of evolution and style
The real stars of the parade were the more than 160 models that have marked the history of the brand from 1946 to today. Fans were able to admire extremely rare examples from the first series, such as the historic Vespa 98, alongside the legendary “faro basso” models of the 1950s and the quintessential VBBs of the 1960s.
Also on show were the much-loved ET3s, GTRs, the Rally models and the timeless PX, right up to the modern Primavera and GTS, ridden by long-distance travellers who covered thousands of kilometres to make sure they did not miss the event.
Among those taking part were riders who shipped their Vespa from the United States to Germany and then rode it from Austria to Rome, and others like Elizabeth Husman, who came from Chile and explains: “For those like us who love the Vespa and for anyone who lives in a world of motorbikes, an event on this scale captures everyone’s passion. It is a rally where you can meet all kinds of people, brought together by a type of scooter that seems to have a soul of its own: the Vespa.” A philosophy of life echoed by Italian rider Andrea Musco: “For me the Vespa is many things; for me it is a lifestyle, a sense of carefree freedom, enjoying the moment, taking in the landscape: it is a way of living. It means experiencing everything around us at a slow pace, with the utmost freedom and peace of mind.”
Entertainment and live music for Vespa enthusiasts
The big party is not confined to the streets but continues to pulse at the “Vespa Village”, set up at the Stadio dei Marmi in the Foro Italico. The area will remain open to everyone with free admission until Sunday, offering a packed programme of entertainment, live music and dedicated exhibition spaces. Visitors can immerse themselves in a major photo exhibition and admire the collection of historic and rare models from the Piaggio Museum, alongside the brand’s current range.
The international rally did not only celebrate the longevity of an industrial success story, but it also reaffirmed Vespa’s ability to bring together different generations, cultures and lifestyles ever since its debut in the post-war period. For four days, the spirit of a timeless legend proved to be more alive than ever, transcending geographical borders and language barriers in the name of pure passion.