There is a time each year when the world of historic motoring seems to pause, gathering beneath a single roof. Collectors in search of the perfect example, restorers, international dealers, car manufacturers, clubs and passionate enthusiasts all come together, transforming a trade show into a genuine meeting place for automotive culture. From 22 to 25 October, BolognaFiere will once again take on this role by hosting the 2026 edition of Auto e Moto d’Epoca, an event that has steadily established itself as Europe’s leading exhibition dedicated to the automotive heritage.

Its growth trajectory is now unmistakable. With more than 235,000 square metres of exhibition space spread across 14 halls, over 5,000 vehicles on display and visitors arriving from around forty countries, the Bologna show continues to strengthen its increasingly international profile. It is not simply a matter of numbers, but rather its ability to bring together the market, history and culture of the automobile in one place, offering an experience that extends far beyond buying and selling.

The 2026 edition promises to reaffirm this philosophy with the introduction of one of its most compelling new attractions in recent years. Named Icons of Speed, the exhibition celebrates one of motorsport‘s most fascinating chapters: endurance racing. Visitors will embark on a journey through more than half a century of competition that transformed circuits such as Le Mans, Daytona, the Nürburgring and Monza into true laboratories of technical innovation, where every engineering solution was born from the need to combine speed, reliability and endurance.

Telling this remarkable story will be some of the most iconic racing cars ever built. From the Porsche 956 Rothmans to the Sauber C9, winner of the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans, alongside the Bentley EXP Speed 8, the Lancia LC2, the Maserati MC12 Corsa and the extraordinarily rare Bugatti EB110 Le Mans, produced as a unique one-off. Cars that continue to captivate enthusiasts today, not only for their extraordinary value but, above all, for the role they have played in the history of automotive engineering.

While endurance racing will take centre stage, rallying will certainly not be overlooked. Thanks to a collaboration with Rallylegend, visitors will also be able to admire a selection of legendary Group B rally cars, symbols of an unforgettable era defined by extreme power, permissive regulations and drivers who became true motorsport legends. It is a tribute to one of the most spectacular periods the sport has ever witnessed.

Naturally, the heart of the exhibition will remain its vast international marketplace. Bologna has now become one of Europe’s leading hubs for the trade in classic cars and motorcycles, and the 2026 edition further reinforces this position with the arrival of prestigious new exhibitors such as Galleria Aaldering, alongside the return of well-established names including Metropole and OldtimerFarm. This growth has also been supported by partnerships developed in recent years with some of Europe’s most important classic vehicle events, including InterClassics Brussels, demonstrating an increasingly tangible internationalisation strategy.

Alongside the marketplace, the relationship with manufacturers and the historical legacy of the automotive industry will continue to play a central role. Alfa Romeo has already confirmed its participation, while the Motor Valley Pavilion, the ASI Village and the institutional exhibition by ACI will all return, helping to create a journey that celebrates not only the vehicles themselves, but also the technical and cultural heritage they represent.

Special attention will once again be devoted to motorcycles. Following last year’s success, Honda Classic will return, while Prestige Bikes will make its debut as a new exhibition area dedicated to motorcycles from carefully selected private collections, chosen for their historical and collector significance. Also confirmed is the Italian Motorcycle Championship – Custom Bike Show, which will bring some of Italy’s finest custom motorcycles, all based on pre-2006 machines, to Bologna.

Among the most eagerly anticipated events is the European Corvette Day – Italy. On Sunday, 25 October, the exhibition will host one of Europe’s largest gatherings dedicated to America’s iconic sports car, featuring every generation from the original C1 through to the current C8. For the first time, the official National Corvette Museum of Kentucky will also be present with its own exhibition stand. As always, visitors will also find the traditional spare parts market, automobilia, scale models, and Time on Show, the event dedicated to vintage and collectible watches.

More than just a trade show, Auto e Moto d’Epoca continues to be the place where the automobile’s past meets its future. It is an event capable of celebrating the value of collecting without ever losing sight of the culture, engineering excellence and passion that have always defined the worlds of both four and two wheels. It is probably for this very reason that, in just a few years, Bologna has succeeded in establishing itself as Europe’s undisputed capital of the classic vehicle world.

Words by Marco Rallo / Photos by Auto & Moto d’Epoca