Merano Grand Prix: Dates, Tickets, and How to Get There

Merano – On the lawn in Untermais, the southern district, thoroughbreds leap over hedges that are nearly two meters high. The 87th. Merano Grand Prix, known in Italian as the Gran Premio Merano, will take place on Saturday, the 26th, and Sunday, the 27th of September 2026 at the city’s horse racing track. The main race will be held on Sunday; gates open at 12:00 p.m. on both days, and admission ranges from 18 to 150 €.

The operators simply call their Gran Premio the quintessential steeplechase, the ultimate obstacle race in Italy. Since 1935, the race has covered 5,000 meters and 24 obstacles, taking place every year on the last Sunday in September in front of over 10,000 spectators. For you, that means: plan ahead, take the train, and pack a hat. You can find more events in the region in our overview of the Events in South Tyrol.

When will the 2026 Merano Grand Prix take place?

The race weekend traditionally takes place on the last weekend of September, which means September 26 and 27, 2026. Seven races will be held on each day, with racing taking place from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday features the 82nd Nations Cup, the second traditional race of the weekend, and the 9th Haflinger Grand Prix. Haflingers are the sturdy chestnut-colored horses with light manes that take their name from the village of Hafling, located above Merano. Sunday is dedicated to the 87th Gran Premio Merano Alto Adige, as it is officially known. It is one of seven races of the day and does not start until late afternoon.

How much is admission to the Merano Grand Prix?

On race weekend, you pay €22 for a seat with free seating. Residents of South Tyrol get in for €18. Front-row seats cost €26 to €38, and the VIP grandstand costs €150.

Merano Galoppo, the racetrack's operating company, sells tickets online through the Midaticket portal. The box office is located at the entrance on Gampenstraße, the road leading from Untermais toward Lana.

The racetrack: 5,000 meters, 24 obstacles, and a roof without supports

The Gran Premio is a steeplechase—a race over fixed obstacles in which the horse and jockey must not only jump quickly but, above all, safely. The course is 5,000 meters long, and the horses clear 24 obstacles.

The racecourse lists the heights of its major jumps itself. The highest is the Fence Grande at 190 centimeters, followed by the Doppio Travone and the Siepone Verticale, each at 180 centimeters. The Oxer Grande consists of two hedges, 110 and 150 centimeters high, placed one behind the other; the Riviera is low at 65 centimeters but 3.10 meters long.

The complex was built according to plans by Paolo Vietti-Violi, one of the most sought-after racetrack architects in Europe at the time. It was inaugurated on August 30, 1935. The site covers 40 hectares and belongs to the municipality of Merano. Take a look at the grandstands: The roofs of the main and secondary grandstands project far out, are slightly sloped, and have no visible supports. The complex is now a protected historic site.

Lottery, a break due to the war, a record-breaking winner: the history of the Gran Premio

The racetrack was built in 1935, and with it came the race—and the Lotteria di Merano, a lottery whose grand prize was tied to the outcome of the Gran Premio. The first Gran Premio was won by Roi de Trèfle, a horse from France. The race was canceled from 1943 to 1947. That is why the 2026 edition will be the 87th, not the 92nd.

The record-holder is L’Estran. The horse from the Scuderia Aichner stable won four times in a row, from 2019 to 2022, with Czech jockey Josef Bartoš in the saddle each time. Bartoš shares the jockey record of four wins with the Frenchman Christophe Pieux. Speed Emile, ridden by Baptiste Le Clerc, won the last two editions in 2024 and 2025.

Fashion, Champagne, and Ponies: What's Happening Off the Track

If you only look at the horses, you'll miss half the fun on Sunday. That's when Lady Fashion and Mister Fashion are chosen—the best-dressed female and male attendees. The organizer doesn't enforce a dress code, but many people still come wearing hats.

Both days will feature food and drink, a champagne bar, and live music, along with a preview of the Merano WineFestival, the city’s major wine fair. Children can ride ponies.

Good to know: The Gran Premio itself is a single race, and it doesn't start until late afternoon. If you’re at the gate at noon, you’re in for a long day. Come around 2 p.m., when the racing starts. That way, you can watch the first few races to get in the mood, find a spot along the track, and won’t be tired by the time the highlight rolls around.

How do you get to the Merano racetrack?

The racetrack is located at Gampenstraße 140 in Untermais. The easiest way to get there is by train: Regional trains between Bolzano and Merano stop at the Merano-Untermais station, which is at the beginning of Gampenstraße, a few hundred meters from the entrance. If you’re staying overnight in South Tyrol, your accommodation will usually provide you with the South Tyrol Guest Pass, a guest card that covers the cost of regional trains and buses throughout the province.

By car, take the A22 Brenner Highway to Bolzano South, then take the MeBo, the expressway between Merano and Bolzano. Coming from Bolzano, take the Untermais exit; coming from Vinschgau—the valley west of Merano—take the Marling exit. On race days, two free parking lots are available: one right at the racecourse and one about 150 meters away at the Untermais train station. By bike, you can reach the entrance via the bike path along Gampenstraße.

Is the Merano Grand Prix worth it?

Yes, even if you’re not usually into equestrian sports. It’s rare to see an obstacle course with hedges nearly two meters high up close, and in Merano, you’ll be standing in front of a grandstand built in 1935, with the mountains surrounding the city towering behind the course.

Plan to spend a second day in the city: for the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle or the Terme Merano. Three weeks later, from October 16 to 18, the Merano Grape Festival, For more ideas for this time of year, check out our overview of the Autumn in Italy. Next step: Book a room, because Merano is packed on the last weekend of September.

Dates, times, and prices are subject to change. Please check them on the organizer's official website before your trip. Italien.news is not the organizer of this race. This post contains affiliate links: If you book through them, we receive a small commission, but the price remains the same for you.