Ducati to celebrate pre-2000 motorcycles with Heritage Contest at 2026 WDW

Next month’s World Ducati Week 2026 will feature a Heritage Contest dedicated to motorcycles built before 2000. 

Ducati has now revealed fresh details regarding the contest, which will start with a technical evaluation by a jury on Friday, July 3, at the Misano World Circuit. The jury will be made up of “Ducati experts and a legendary Ducati rider”, according to the Bologna-based factory.

The panel will select a total of ten finalists based on several factors, including authenticity and originality, state of preservation, quality of restoration, aesthetic quality and design, and historical and documentary value.

Then, on Saturday, July 4, the selected motorcycles will be displayed in the official Ducati Heritage Village. Alongside the panel of experts, fans can also vote on which bikes are their favourite, and therefore have a say in the final results. 

The winners of the competition will then be announced on Sunday, July 5, where prizes will be handed out to the top three positions. The Jury will also present a special award to the motorcycle that offers the most “exceptional historical significance”, with a historic and signed Ducati Corse fairing. 

Additionally, all ten finalists will receive a Borgo Panigale Experience, which includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at where Ducati makes its bikes. As well as the competition, Ducati’s Heritage Village will welcome other historic Ducati machines that are brought to Misano. 

Owners of Ducati models built up to the year 2000 will have a dedicated and controlled parking area that will become an open-air exhibition throughout the three-day event. 

The Heritage Contest will form part of Ducati’s wider 100-year anniversary celebrations at the WDW 2026 event.

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