In its most symbolic year, the Centenary, Ducati celebrates its roots at World Ducati Week 2026 with a dedicated area: the Heritage Village, a space devoted to showcasing the historical and cultural heritage of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer.
It will be one of the main attractions of the world’s largest Ducati gathering, taking place from July 3 to 5 at the Misano World Circuit.
The centerpiece of the Heritage Village will be the Ducati Heritage Contest 2026, the official competition dedicated to Ducati road bikes built up to the year 2000, inviting collectors and enthusiasts to share the stories preserved in their bikes. Created to celebrate the historical significance, originality, and technical authenticity of the models that have shaped the evolution of the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer, the contest will provide an exceptional stage on which to showcase their enduring appeal and highlight what makes each one unique.
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The competition will take place in several stages throughout the weekend. On Friday 3 July, the motorcycles entered will be evaluated by a technical jury made up of representatives from motorcycle associations, Ducati experts and a legendary Ducati rider. The panel will select ten finalists based on criteria including authenticity and originality, state of preservation, quality of restoration, aesthetic quality and design and historical and documentary value.
Starting on Saturday 4 July, the selected motorcycles will be displayed within the Heritage Village and will also be judged by event participants, who will be invited to vote for their favourites and contribute to determining the final rankings.
The winners will be announced on Sunday 5 July on the WDW main stage. Memorabilia Ducati prizes will be awarded to the first-, second-, and third-place winners, while the Technical Jury will also present a special award to the motorcycle distinguished by its exceptional historical significance: a historic and signed Ducati Corse fairing. All ten finalists will also receive a Borgo Panigale Experience, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the place where Ducati motorcycles are born.
Alongside the motorcycles competing in the contest, the Heritage Village will also welcome other historic Ducati brought to Misano by enthusiasts. Owners of Ducati models built up to the year 2000 will have access to a dedicated and controlled parking area which, throughout WDW, will become an extraordinary open-air exhibition. A unique display, featuring motorcycles that have spanned different eras of Ducati’s history and that continue to live on today thanks to the passion and dedication of their owners.
Completing this journey through Ducati’s heritage is the exhibition “100 Years, 100 Stories, One Legend”, which retraces a century of Ducati history through one hundred milestones that have shaped the company’s evolution. From victories that left their mark on world motorcycle racing, to technological innovations that redefined performance and the models that helped build Ducati’s distinctive design identity, the exhibition will offer a unique perspective on the brand through its most significant moments.
The Heritage Village is a place where past and present come together, bringing to life the stories, people, and motorcycles that have helped build the Ducati legend. It offers visitors the opportunity to relive memorable moments, share their passion, and rediscover some of the milestones that have made the history of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer unique. The Village will be open to the public throughout all three days of World Ducati Week, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The story of Ducati’s Centenary would not be complete without the people who helped write some of its most important chapters. Ducati legends – as Casey Stoner, Loris Capirossi, Troy Bayliss o Carl Fogarty – will play a starring role, both on and off the track. Starting with the traditional Lap of Honour, one of the most emotional and eagerly anticipated moments of World Ducati Week, when Ducati champions of the past will once again parade around the circuit in front of thousands of enthusiasts. Inside the Heritage Village, they will also take part in meetings, interviews and discussion sessions, giving visitors the opportunity to relive some of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer’s greatest sporting achievements.
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For more Ducati news, check out our dedicated page Ducati UK News
or head to the official Ducati UK website ducati.com/gb/en/home
About Ducati
Ducati is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1926 in Bologna, known for high-performance motorcycles with distinctive designs and powerful engines, particularly the 90° V-twin, which it brands as the “L-twin”. The company has a strong racing heritage, competing and winning in MotoGP and WorldSBK championships. Ducati was acquired by Audi in 2012 and is part of the Volkswagen Group.
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Original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk and published by Frank Duggan. Frank is the Founder and Editor of Modern Classic Motorcycle News, an independent motorcycle publication covering modern classic motorcycles, roadsters, scramblers, cruisers, electric motorcycles and the wider motorcycle industry.
