Rare and Historic: Excitement in the Eternal City as Anantara Concorso Roma Sees World’s Finest Italian Cars Return Home
• Over 70 of the world’s rarest historic Italian cars were brought together in Rome to celebrate ‘La Dolce Vita delle Automobili’.
• Visitors were treated to a sensational curated display of coachbuilt cars from the 1920s to the present day, in 16 classes—while enjoying the best of Roman hospitality at historic locations across Rome.
• The Concorso was hosted by Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel, organised by Anantara Hotels & Resorts, and presented by UBS.
jpg
Anantara Concorso Roma 2026 – Class I: Pre-War Zagato winner, the 1932 Maserati V4 Sport Zagato, pictured during the award ceremony.
The inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma, presented by UBS, took place over the weekend, bringing together over 70 historic Italian cars in the heart of Rome for a weekend of competition and celebration. In the spirit of ‘La Dolce Vita della Automobili’, owners, guests, and visitors enjoyed a stunning combination of Roman hospitality and the nation’s finest cars, all set against the historic backdrop of the Eternal City.
On Sunday, the 1932 Maserati V4 Sport Zagato was crowned Best of Show. Known as the “Sedici Cilindri”, this Maserati features a 4-litre 16-cylinder engine and in September 1929 the car set the world speed record over 10 kilometres. The car returned to Rome this weekend for Anantara Concorso Roma for the first time in 90 years.
The first concorso d’eleganza in Rome in 60 years, Anantara Concorso Roma turned Rome into a curated open-air experience. The showfield glistened with immaculate examples of historic cars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and many more. Judging took place on Saturday and the awards presentation was hosted on Sunday afternoon.
The event intertwined the highly-competitive Concorso with Italian food, luxury lifestyle experiences, and exploring the marvellous sights of Rome. Guests stayed at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel while the showfield was held at Casina Valadier and Piazza Bucharest in Villa Borghese, overlooking the city.
Over the weekend, many locals and tourists took advantage of this unique opportunity, securing day passes to see some of the world’s rarest and most interesting Italian cars. Anantara Concorso Roma has become an instant success and world-class automotive event, thanks to the leadership of Jeremy Jackson-Sytner, oversight of Chief Judge Adolfo Orsi, and the dedicated hospitality and expertise of the team at Anantara Hotels & Resorts.
jpg
jpg
jpg
Partners and Supporters for 2026
Anantara Concorso Roma was organised by Anantara Hotels & Resorts and presented by UBS. It was hosted by Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel and supported by event partners Richard Mille and Lockton Wattana. It also received support from partners: Maserati, Schedoni Modena, RM Sotheby's, American Express, Gulfstream, Sanlorenzo, Globeair, Tenute Lunelli, Whispering Angel, Veuve Clicquot, Lavazza, Acqua di Parma, Technogym, Renauld, CARS, Octane, Cover Car, Ripense, Antica Manifattura Cappelli, La Dolce Vita, FICOFI, Automobile Club D'Italia, ASI, Comune di Roma, and ACLI.
William E. Heinecke, Founder & Chairman of Minor International, parent company of Anantara and long-time classic car collector and enthusiast, commented: “This weekend’s inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma has exceeded what I ever could have imagined for our launch event. We were able to curate a quite remarkable collection of historic Italian cars, we had the support of incredible partners and the event had the perfect backdrop of the Eternal City combined with blue skies every day - it was truly exceptional.”
Benjamin Cavalli, Head of Strategic Clients & Global Connectivity, UBS Global Wealth Management and Co‑Head EMEA OneUBS, commented: “UBS is proud to sponsor the inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma, an event that captures the essence of La Dolce Vita delle Automobili at its very finest. In close partnership with the exceptional team at Anantara Hotels & Resorts and alongside a select group of distinguished partners, we helped bring to life an unforgettable celebration dedicated to automotive heritage and craftsmanship. The event marked a remarkable weekend in Rome, recognising not only the enduring artistry and legacy of Italian automobiles, but also the value of collaboration in creating an experience truly unlike any other.”
Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Sport, Tourism, Fashion, and Major Events of Rome Capital, commented: “This event is not just about luxury; it is a celebration of the Italian lifestyle admired around the world, and a concrete example of how major international events can create real, lasting benefits for our communities. Through initiatives like this, Rome is strengthening its global image as an open, dynamic city that embraces development, investment, and social responsibility.”
The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara unveils refreshed rooms and suites, blending safari-Victorian charm with modern luxury near Victoria Falls.
As the annual observance draws global attention to the cultural and natural treasures that shape human identity and collective memory, Anantara spotlights the individuals whose life’s work is to pr...
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas becomes the first Anantara in Asia to join The Leading Hotels of the World, elevating luxury hospitality in Thailand.
Anantara Concorso Roma has announced the car line up, judges and event partners at a press conference in Rome, ahead of the inaugural event on 16-19 April 2026.
Request a Hotel Visit
Are you a journalist or influencer and want to visit one of our hotels? Simply fill in the form below and we’ll reach out to you promptly.
