Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Friday, 08 May 2026, 10:05 / Updated Friday, 08 May 2026 10:20
For the first time in history, Bulgaria will host the Grande Partenza (Grand Start) of the Tour of Italy (Giro d'Italia), one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Between May 8-10, the platoon will travel 3 stages through some of the most spectacular cities and landscapes of the neighboring country. It will be the 16th foreign start in the history of the race and the second in a row, after last year's race started in Albania. The 109th edition of the Tour of Italy will end on May 31, in Rome.
Bulgaria hosts the first 3 stages of the Tour of Italy
The opening stage runs along the shores of the Black Sea from Nessebar to Burgas, Bulgaria's fourth largest city.
The second stage will start from Burgas, this time on a long route that takes the platoon to Veliko Târnovo, a city on the banks of the Jantra River, a tributary of the Danube.
The third and final leg, on Bulgarian territory, will connect the country's two most populous cities, Plovdiv and Sofia, the country's capital.
“Cyclists will pedal from the ancient shores of the Black Sea to the medieval skyline of Veliko Tarnovo and the mountain passes above the cities of Plovdiv and Sofia, Bulgaria is about to write a new chapter in European cycling history”it is shown in the presentation on the official website of giroditalia.it.
The stages of the Tour of Italy that will take place in Bulgaria / photo: giroditalia.it
Financing of 15 million euros
The Bulgarian government has approved funding for the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the year 2026 in the amount of 15 million euros for the organization and running of the prestigious cycling race on the territory of Bulgaria, according to sportal.bg.
I think that Burgas and Bulgaria are ready for this grandiose event. This is a historic moment for us. A sports event of such magnitude takes place for the first time in our country.
– Dimitar Iliev, Interim Minister of Youth and Sports of Bulgaria
