Pesaro, on the Adriatic coast of Le Marche, is hosting the 2026 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships from 24 to 27 September at the Vitrifrigo Arena. The event brings 254 athletes from 30 countries to compete across men’s pairs, women’s pairs, mixed pairs, men’s groups, and women’s groups — making it one of the most complete acrobatic gymnastics competitions in the world.
What Is Acrobatic Gymnastics
Acrobatic gymnastics — sometimes called sports acrobatics — is a discipline in which pairs or groups of athletes perform choreographed routines combining balance, dynamic throws, and tumbling on a 12×12 metre floor. Unlike rhythmic gymnastics, there is no apparatus. Performances are set to music and judged on artistry, execution, and difficulty. The discipline has been part of the World Games since 1981.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, this is a spectacular and accessible spectator event: routines are short (under two minutes), the arena atmosphere is energetic, and the level of athleticism on display is extraordinary.
The Venue: Vitrifrigo Arena
The Vitrifrigo Arena is Pesaro’s main indoor venue, with a capacity of around 6,000. It sits in the city’s eastern outskirts and is easily reached on foot or by local bus from the historic centre. Parking is available directly adjacent to the arena.
Ticket prices for the World Championships vary by session — preliminary rounds are significantly cheaper than finals days. Check the FIG (Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique) website for the full schedule and purchasing links.
Pesaro as a Base
Pesaro is a mid-sized city of around 95,000 people on the Adriatic coast, best known as the birthplace of composer Gioachino Rossini. The historic centre is compact and walkable, with good seafood restaurants along the Lungomare. Beaches are close to the city centre and still warm in late September.
The nearest major airport is Bologna (BLQ), roughly two hours by train or car. Rimini (RMN) is about 45 minutes away and has more direct international connections in summer, though its schedule thins in late September — check availability before booking. The Adriatic coast is also well served by fast trains linking Pesaro to Venice, Bologna, and Ancona.
If you’re building a longer itinerary, Rimini makes a natural base for exploring this stretch of the Adriatic coast, or anchor your visit in the wider context of your Italian trip with our best tours of Italy guide. For guided tours of Le Marche and the Adriatic coast, check availability around the Championship dates.
Other Events Running Alongside
The World Championships overlap with the final days of the Alba Truffle Fair in Piedmont and various regional harvest festivals across northern Italy, making late September one of the busiest cultural weekends of the year in the country.