AviationNews – The Aeronautica Militare has officially released the 2026 performance calendar for the Frecce Tricolori, Italy’s premier national aerobatic team. This comprehensive schedule outlines a series of domestic displays across the Italian peninsula, highlighted by a prestigious anniversary show set for June to celebrate the team’s enduring legacy.
The announcement, coordinated with the Aero Club d’Italia, confirms that the 313th Acrobatic Training Group will tour the country from May through September 2026. The season kicks off in Bari on May 8, followed by coastal and inland appearances in cities such as Salerno, L’Aquila, and Jesolo. A focal point of the calendar is the mid-June celebration, which marks a significant milestone in the team’s 65-year history. While the 2025 season focused on the formal 65th-anniversary festivities at Rivolto Air Base, the 2026 “encore” anniversary show in June is designed to bring the celebration to a wider public audience in Southern Italy.
Technically, the team continues to operate the iconic Aermacchi MB-339PAN, though 2026 represents one of the final full seasons before the transition to the advanced Leonardo M-346 Master. The displays feature the world-renowned “Pony” formation of nine aircraft plus one soloist, a configuration that allows for the execution of high-precision maneuvers such as the “Arizona” and the “Cardioid.” These performances serve a dual purpose: they demonstrate the peak of military pilot training and act as a mobile showcase for the Italian aerospace industry’s engineering excellence.
“The release of the 2026 schedule is more than just a list of dates; it is an invitation to witness the harmony of flight and national pride,” stated a spokesperson for the Italian Air Force. They emphasized that the June anniversary event will feature unique choreography specifically designed to honor the generations of pilots who have flown the “Three-Colored Arrows” since their founding in 1961.
For aviation enthusiasts and spotters, the announcement provides the necessary lead time to secure travel and vantage points for the summer season. As the team prepares for the eventual airframe transition, these 2026 shows are expected to draw record crowds, particularly at the seaside displays where the tricolor smoke is most vibrant. The schedule effectively bridges the team’s historic past with its high-tech future, ensuring that the Frecce Tricolori remain a global benchmark for aerobatic excellence.
| Date | Event / Location | Region |
| May 8 | Bari Air Show (San Nicola) | Apulia |
| May 17 | Salerno Air Show | Campania |
| May 24 | Lungomare Varazze Air Show | Liguria |
| June 7 | Grado Air Show | Friuli-Venezia Giulia |
| June 14 | L’Aquila Air Show (Aeroporto dei Parchi) | Abruzzo |
| June 21 | Bellaria – Igea Marina Air Show | Emilia-Romagna |
| June 28 | Noto Air Show | Sicily |
| July 12 | W Lignano Air Show (Lignano Sabbiadoro) | Friuli-Venezia Giulia |
| September 5 | Desenzano Del Garda Air Show | Lombardy |
| September 12 | Jesolo Air Show | Veneto |