25,000 Vespas roll through Rome in biggest-ever rally for iconic scooter’s 80th birthday

ROME: Rome was buzzing with more than just traffic as around 25,000 Vespas filled the city’s historic streets in the largest rally ever organised for the iconic Italian scooter, marking the start of celebrations for Vespa’s 80th anniversary.

Riders from 67 countries descended on the Italian capital for VESPA ROMA 2026: 80 Years of an Icon, transforming the city into a moving museum of two-wheeled history. The four-day celebration, which began earlier this week and continues until tomorrow, has drawn thousands of visitors to the Vespa Village at the Foro Italico.

The highlight of the celebrations came on Friday morning when a spectacular parade wound its way through some of Rome’s most famous landmarks. The procession was flagged off by Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri and led by the presidents of Vespa Clubs representing all 67 participating nations.

Starting from the Terme di Caracalla, the convoy travelled past the Colosseum before making its way through Piazza Venezia, circling the Altare della Patria and continuing along the historic Fori Imperiali. Crowds lined the route, cheering, applauding and capturing the moment as scooters spanning eight decades rolled past.

The parade showcased the complete evolution of the Vespa, with every major model produced since its debut in 1946 making an appearance. Among the biggest attractions were rare examples of the original Vespa 98, the first production model launched in 1946, alongside vintage “low-light” scooters from the 1950s and classic VBB models from the 1960s.

Popular classics including the ET3, GTR, Rally and the enduring Vespa PX also received enthusiastic applause from spectators. Modern favourites such as the Primavera and GTS featured prominently as well, many ridden by enthusiasts who travelled thousands of kilometres across Europe and beyond to take part in the milestone event.

The celebrations extend beyond the parade at the Vespa Village in the Foro Italico, where visitors can explore exhibitions of rare historic scooters from the Piaggio Museum, view the latest Vespa models, shop for exclusive merchandise and enjoy live entertainment from Radio Deejay.

First introduced in 1946, Vespa has grown from a post-war mobility solution into one of Italy’s most recognisable global symbols of style, design and engineering. Eight decades later, the record-breaking gathering in Rome reflects the enduring appeal of the scooter and the passionate international community that continues to keep its legacy alive.