World Ducati Week 2026: What to Expect at the 100th Anniversary Celebration in Misano

• Date and location: July 3 to 5, 2026, at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”
• Occasion: 100 years of Ducati, founded on July 4, 1926, in Borgo Panigale
• Highlights: Lenovo Race of Champions, Collezione 100, Superleggera V4 Centenario and a world premiere of a new model

World Ducati Week is Ducati’s largest brand gathering and returns for its 13th edition in 2026. Unlike previous years, this edition is dedicated to a milestone anniversary: the manufacturer from Borgo Panigale was founded on July 4, 1926, making the event a central part of the entire centenary year. Under the motto “Live the Legend – Celebrate 100 Years Together,” the program connects the brand’s history with its current racing presence in MotoGP, the Superbike World Championship, the MXGP Motocross World Championship and national motorsport, according to Ducati.

When and Where Does World Ducati Week 2026 Take Place?

World Ducati Week 2026 runs from Friday, July 3, to Sunday, July 5, 2026, at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” on the Adriatic coast. Beyond the racetrack, the event extends into the surrounding Riviera Romagnola, where the traditional parade concludes. Over three days, riders, fans and enthusiasts from around the world gather to celebrate the brand. The centerpiece is July 4, the exact founding date.

Who Is Racing in the Lenovo Race of Champions 2026?

The Lenovo Race of Champions brings together virtually Ducati’s entire factory lineup from MotoGP and WorldSBK on a single track. Free practice and qualifying take place on Saturday, July 4, with the race itself scheduled for Sunday, July 5, at 12 noon.

From MotoGP, the Ducati Lenovo Team riders Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia will compete, along with test rider Michele Pirro. They are joined by Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli from VR46 Racing Team, as well as Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer from Gresini Ducati. WorldSBK is represented by Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona from Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, plus Alvaro Bautista and Yari Montella from Barni Spark Racing Team, alongside Lorenzo Baldassarri, Alberto Surra, Tarran Mackenzie and Tommy Bridewell. National and international series are also present, including Josh Waters from the Australian Superbike Championship, Hafizh Syahrin from the Asian Superbike Championship and Lukas Tulovic from the IDM. Off-road racing is represented by Italian MX1 Prestige Champion Alessandro Lupino, MXGP factory rider Andrea Bonacorsi and four-time S1GP World Champion Marc-Reiner Schmidt.

Which Ducati Legends Are Coming to Misano?

For the centenary, Ducati is planning a dedicated lap of honour featuring champions from past and present. This Lap of Honour will be spread across Friday and Saturday, with different riders taking to the track in each session. According to the manufacturer, the participating riders collectively hold 48 world championship titles. Expected legends include Casey Stoner, Troy Bayliss, Carl Fogarty and Loris Capirossi, with autograph sessions scheduled throughout the weekend.

What New Model and Special Editions Will Ducati Show?

World Ducati Week 2026 will host the world premiere of a new Ducati model that the manufacturer has not yet specified further. Visitors will be able to see the machine up close and meet the engineers and technicians involved in its development. The rest of the model range will be displayed in the Ducati Worlds exhibition area, complemented by talks and discussions with engineers, designers and product specialists.

At the heart of the anniversary models is the Collezione 100, a series of ten 2026 models with unique liveries inspired by key moments in the company’s history. Each version is limited to 100 numbered units worldwide. Also making its first public appearance is the Superleggera V4 Centenario, limited to 500 numbered units. In addition, there is the Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolore, a special edition limited to 100 units whose commemorative livery is inspired by the Ducati 750 F1 from the 1980s. The Collezione 100 models were already shown at Mugello and will be displayed in Misano alongside two Desmosedici GP machines in specially designed liveries. Through an augmented reality application, visitors can also configure a full-size Multistrada V4 S using the Ducati Factory Made personalization program.

Parade, Beach Party and the Anniversary Show on Saturday

The traditional Ducatisti parade takes place on Friday afternoon, July 3. It begins with a lap of the Misano World Circuit and then proceeds through the streets of the Riviera Romagnola to the Samsara Beach Club in Riccione. There, the Ducati Beach Party takes over, featuring the traditional Rustida served by Ducati’s senior management, along with entertainment from Federico Russo and Francesco Mandelli and a DJ set by the beach club.

Saturday evening, July 4 – the actual founding date – is reserved for the central anniversary show. The evening will be hosted by Italian actor and voice artist Francesco Pannofino. According to Ducati, the show highlights the values, vision and heritage of the brand from Borgo Panigale.

What Riding Activities Does World Ducati Week 2026 Offer?

Holders of a three-day pass can ride at Misano themselves. On the racetrack, test rides on the Panigale V4 S and dedicated track sessions with participants’ own motorcycles are available. For adventure-touring fans, the DRE Adventure Academy offers mini-sessions with Multistrada and DesertX models, featuring riders including Antoine Meo and Charly Sinewan. Road test rides with various models on designated routes are also available.

Four-wheeled activities are part of the program as well: planned are test drives with the Lamborghini Urus SE, an Audi Sport exhibition area and a photo station with competition seats used by Audi racing drivers. This element of the program also references Ducati’s affiliation with the Audi Group.

Heritage Village, Competitions and Activities for the Whole Family

The brand’s history is showcased in the Heritage Village, which also hosts the Ducati Heritage Contest 2026. Eligible entries are road-legal Ducati motorcycles built up to the year 2000. The first selection takes place on Friday, July 3, the final round on Saturday and the awards ceremony on Sunday. Owners of historic machines built up to the year 2000 also receive reserved parking spots, turning part of the grounds into an open-air exhibition. The Heritage Village also houses the “The Hundred Episodes of the Centenary” exhibition, tracing 100 defining moments in the company’s history from racing victories to technical innovations. The Ducati Garage Contest features ten Ducati-based custom builds from around the world, with the top five receiving awards on Sunday morning.

Entertainment includes stunt performances by Emilio Zamora and freestyle motocross shows by Massimo Bianconcini, Corey Creed and Diego Manenti riding the new Desmo450 MX. Hosting and interviews are handled by radio presenters Ringo, Alteria and Ketty Passa, complemented by DJ sets and a concert by the Ducati Band. Younger visitors aged 6 to 14 can try electric motorcycles, mini-trial machines and e-bikes at the Ducati First Experience under the supervision of certified instructors from the Italian Motorcycling Federation. A session called Riders Meet Kids also allows children to meet Ducati riders. The Italian Air Force is represented with a virtual cockpit experience of the Frecce Tricolori via VR stations. The surrounding Emilia-Romagna region is also participating: Rimini will illuminate landmarks such as Castel Sismondo and the Arch of Augustus in red, Riccione hosts the parade finish and beach party, Misano Adriatico features street art and themed lighting, and Cattolica dedicates a photo exhibition to the historic Moto Temporada Romagnola. According to Ducati, the club network is also involved, comprising 375 official clubs with more than 52,000 members in 67 countries, presented in the DOC Village.

How Can Fans Get Involved Before the Event?

Even before the gathering, World Ducati Week 2026 can be followed digitally. Ducati has released the WDW 2026 Web App, which provides access to the full program, an interactive map of key locations and real-time updates. Users simply need to visit the relevant section on the Ducati website.

Within this app, the digital game FantaWDW returns. In its anniversary edition, it is dedicated to the Lenovo Race of Champions and the V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy. Participants assemble their own rider team and predict the results of both races. The winner is set to receive a “Rider MotoGP Premier” experience at the Misano Grand Prix 2026 from September 11 to 13, including paddock hospitality. The runner-up watches the race from the Ducati grandstand, and the third-place finisher receives a Ducati Legacy Kit with clothing and accessories from the anniversary collections. Additionally, Ducati and Lenovo ran a creative contest between May 21 and June 5, inviting the community to design the official Lenovo Race of Champions logo. The winning design will appear on the race motorcycle liveries and in further communications.

How to Get Tickets for World Ducati Week 2026

Tickets for World Ducati Week 2026 are available through the Ducati website and at Ducati dealers. Options include a Biker Pass for participants with their own motorcycle and a Visitor Pass for pillion passengers and visitors without a motorcycle, each available for a single day or for all three event days. Both pass types grant access to the public areas and participation in numerous activities. During the event period, visitors can also tour the Ducati Museum and factory in Borgo Panigale at reduced rates.

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