Italy’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este returns to the picturesque shores of Lake Como from May 23-25, 2025, for one of the world’s most prestigious automotive pageants.
Hosted at the iconic Villa d’Este hotel by the BMW Group, the Concorso continues a tradition that began almost 100 years ago – and for 20 years in its current format.
As ever, the weekend will see 50 of the world’s rarest and most prolific collector cars compete for silverware across various categories, ultimately vying for the ultimate Trofeo BMW Group trophy for the Best of Show winner.
The 2025 concours categories are diverse, ranging from the ostentatious luxury of the interwar period in Glorious Excess: The Evolution of the ‘Money no Object’ Motor Car to the streamlined silhouettes occupying the Sculpture in Motion: The Decade of the Automotive Arms Race class.
Other classes pay tribute to post-war European sports cars, unrestored classics, Group C era competition machines and more. Meanwhile, concept cars from various manufacturers will be honoured with their own class, highlighting both design heritage and innovation.
Heritage and innovation will be honoured with a variety of anniversary celebrations, special exhibitions and unveilings. Event host BMW will mark 50 years of its iconic 3 Series saloon with a display featuring every generation while also celebrating 70 years of the BMW 507, 503 and Isetta. BMW-owned luxury marque Rolls-Royce will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Phantom.
BMW’s motor sport heritage will be spotlighted with the appearance of a BMW M3 GTR race car, its bold Sandro Chia livery marking 50 years of the marque’s Art Car initiative.
For the first time, all surviving BMW 328 variants that competed in the 1940 Mille Miglia – including the winning Touring Coupé and the ‘Trouser Crease’ Roadster – will be reunited for display, neatly bringing together the racing legacies of Italy and BMW. Furthermore, BMW will unveil three new models at the event: a two-seater roadster, a concept motorcycle and a new BMW M car.
The concours proceedings unfold on Saturday, May 24, beginning with the annual parade on the Villa d’Este terrace before the jury panel and invited guests. Prizes include the Trofeo del Presidente, presented by Helmut Käs, head of BMW Group Classic, and the Coppa d’Oro, awarded to the car that receives the most votes from the public.
Meanwhile, tenor and BMW ambassador Jonas Kaufmann will return to present the Trofeo Il Canto del Motore prize for the best-sounding engine. The Best of Show winner will also receive a luxury timepiece specially created by German watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne for the occasion.
On Sunday, May 25, motoring festivities will take place at the nearby Villa Erba for the public ‘Il Festival’ celebration of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Like the main event, Il Festival will showcase some of the world’s most breathtaking collector cars in a stunning lakeside setting – including the machines that competed in the Concorso just 24 hours earlier.
Complementing the concours entries are displays from major automotive brands, as well as satellite events that broaden the weekend’s appeal. Chief among these is FuoriConcorso, held in the gardens of Villa Grumello and Villa Sucota on May 24-25. Now a fixture on the Lake Como calendar, it has built a loyal following with curated displays that spotlight automotive design, innovation and history through rare, bespoke and prototype machines – many of which are seldom seen in public.
Amici & Automobili – Wheels & Weisswürscht invites car clubs, enthusiasts and collectors to display a wide variety of automobiles and promises to be another Il Festival highlight. Over 150 vehicles are expected to attend, ranging from Italian classics to contemporary supercars.
Broad Arrow will be hosting its inaugural sale at the Concorso, offering a selection of desirable collector cars on Saturday May 24 and Sunday May 25. Highlights include iconic BMWs, including a 1958 507 Series II and a 1981 M1, as well as an all-marques sale featuring collector cars from a range of prestigious manufacturers. For our full auction preview, click here.
Outgoing Villa d’Este auction house RM Sotheby’s will host a sale in nearby Milan, just ahead of the Concorso. More details here.
For more on the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, click here.
