Vespa Announces 80th Anniversary Celebration in Rome 2026
Is there a scooter design more iconic than a unibody Vespa? That's not a question for the ages, friends — answer to that is no, no there isn't. Here's the rub: one of Italy's most storied two-wheeled manufacturers is on the cusp of its 80th birthday and everyone is invited. Hosted in Italy's capital city of Rome, Vespa will be throwing its 80th birthday bash on June 25th-28th, 2026.
We're a fan of scooters around here at Motorcycle.com and will always leap at the chance for for some seat time with an Italian wasp. There's quite a bit of time before Vespa celebrates its 80th birthday, so in the meantime, why don't you indulge in our most recent coverage of the Vespa GTS300.
Vespa will be announcing more information about its 80th anniversary celebration, which is said to include parties, activations and other activities this coming autumn.
Begin press release:
Vespa Announces 80th Anniversary Celebration in Rome 2026
VESPA GETS READY TO CELEBRATE ITS 80TH BIRTHDAY:
THE DATE AND LOCATION OF THE BIGGEST VESPA PARTY EVER HAVE JUST BEEN UNVEILED.
ROME, 25-28 JUNE 2026.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VESPA FANS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND, CELEBRATING A UNIVERSAL ICON OF STYLE, FREEDOM AND ZEST FOR LIFE.
Rome, 24 July 2025 - In 2026, Vespa will turn 80, and will celebrate this milestone in Rome on June 25th – 28th, in what is set to be the biggest party in the history of this legendary brand.
Tens of thousands of Vespa enthusiasts are expected to descend on the city from all over the world - perhaps only natural, given that Vespa was the first scooter brand to bring together young people from every country across the globe, united by their passion for Vespa and their shared values of beauty, elegance, zest for life and freedom.
Rome, the endlessly beautiful eternal city, has always been a symbol of Italy’s “Dolce Vita” in the collective imagination, and as such, has been selected as the perfect destination to celebrate the 80th anniversary of an icon that has never aged, successfully reinventing itself over time to remain contemporary.
But it won’t just be a party for the most ardent fans: Vespa has a special place in the collective memory too; in everyone's scrapbooks, and Rome 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible event that will go beyond a simple celebration of the passion for a truly unique vehicle.
Between the 25th and the 28th of June, Rome will play host to four days of partying and events, for Vespa fans and others.
The full program will be revealed next autumn.
Since 1946, Vespa has given the world an extra gear, spreading like wildfire and uniting entire generations of young people from distant, diverse cultures in a single passion. It has driven cultural, musical and youth trends, accompanying countries and continents in their growth and driving them forwards during periods of prosperity. Today, Vespa is a global brand which champions the values of technology, style and elegance.
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I think these are cool looking scooters, but so expensive in the US. I honestly don't know that I've ever seen a Vespa in the wild in the US.
I love Vespas, but the price is an issue. I look at the price of a 300, and I always wind up thinking about what full sized motorcycles I could buy with the money. I'm still tempted, though. I've reached an age when wrestling around a 500 + pound bike is a challenge.