Bulgaria Gears Up To Start the 2026 Giro d’Italia

Jerusalem, 7 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Burgas (BTA) – Bulgaria is preparing to host the start of the 2026 Giro d’Italia cycling race, with officials describing the event as a landmark moment for sport, tourism and the country’s international image.

Caretaker Minister of Youth and Sports Dimitar Iliev said the Giro d’Italia represents a “historic moment” for Bulgaria, noting that such a large-scale sporting event is being held in the country for the first time. He said preparations are at a high level and thanked all institutions and municipalities involved, stressing that the race route showcases Bulgaria’s natural landscapes and will leave a strong impression on both athletes and spectators.

Caretaker Minister of Tourism Irena Georgieva said the Giro d’Italia is more than a sporting competition, calling it “the beginning of a story” through which Bulgaria will present its best face to the world. She said the event reflects the spirit of tourism itself—enthusiasm, passion and emotion—and will provide an opportunity to promote the country’s Black Sea coast, mountains, history and cultural heritage to a global audience. Georgieva also cited analyses suggesting a long-term tourism impact of up to 24 months following such events, with a significant share of visitors returning.

Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov said organisers had rated Bulgaria’s preparations as “perfetto,” adding that all routes had been completed and cleaned according to requirements. He highlighted strong cooperation between local and state institutions, as well as enthusiasm from residents, who have decorated the city in Giro d’Italia colours. Nikolov said hotels are fully booked and interest is high, describing the event as a unique investment in Bulgaria’s long-term international image.

In 2026 Bulgaria is hosting the Grande Partenza event of the 109th Giro d’Italia. Running through key centres of culture and wonders of nature, the route is divided into three stages, each taking one day from May 8 to 10. The race will start on May 8 in Nessebar and finish in Burgas, before continuing to Veliko Tarnovo on May 9 and to Sofia via Plovdiv on May 10.