On Saturday, September 12, 2026, it’s worth looking up at the sky over Como. And then, right after that, looking back down at the lake.
The Aero Club Como is hosting a new edition of the Six Lakes Grand Prix – Villa d’Este Trophy, an event dedicated to seaplanes and amphibious aircraft that brings pilots from around the world to Lake Como.
A day that says a lot about the relationship between Como and aviation. Because here, the seaplane isn’t just a curiosity to be admired from the lakeside promenade: it’s part of the city’s history and continues to attract enthusiasts and international pilots to this day.
The Six Lakes Grand Prix Returns to Lake Como
On Saturday, several teams will be competing, with pilots coming not only from Europe but also from Asia and the Americas. This international turnout once again confirms Como’s role as one of the premier destinations for seaplane racing.
The Aero Club Como, after all, has built a very close relationship with this sport over the years, helping to keep both its practice and its culture alive.
The Villa d’Este Trophy
Once again in 2026, the event renews its partnership with Villa d’Este, the event’s main sponsor.
The first-place finishers will be awarded the Villa d’Este Trophy, an accolade that brings together two worlds deeply rooted in the history of the region: aviation and the renowned tradition of hospitality on Lake Como.
But among the crews taking part in the competition, there will be one to watch particularly closely.
Indeed, some very young pilots from the Casnati Aeronautical Institute will also be competing—students who earned their PPL (Private Pilot Licence) through the Como Flight School.
More Than Just Seaplanes: The Aero Village Arrives
You won’t need to be an aviation expert to enjoy the day.
The Aero Village will be set up in front of the hangar, creating a dedicated space where visitors can get closer to the event and follow the different stages of the competition.
Once again this year, the worlds of motorsport and aviation will come together. At the 2025 edition, a Ferrari tested by Gilles Villeneuve was on display; for 2026, the organizers have selected a new car, which will be unveiled in the event area.
Music Comes to the Lakeside Too
There will also be time for music between seaplane flybys.
A swing-jazz quartet will perform in the event area, a choice that perfectly complements the atmosphere of the day and will entertain the audience through to the awards ceremony.
A Different Kind of Saturday on Como’s Lakefront
The Gran Premio dei Sei Laghi is one of those events that can capture the interest even of those who happen to be visiting Como almost by chance.
Visitors can watch the seaplanes perform their aerial manoeuvres, discover the world of aviation at the Aero Village and, all in the same afternoon, take the opportunity to stroll along the lakefront or explore Como’s historic centre.
For those already familiar with the city’s long-standing aviation tradition, the event on 12 September 2026 will be an opportunity to once again enjoy one of the spectacles that best captures the unique relationship between Como and its lake.
This time, though, the advice is simple: every now and then, remember to look up at the sky too!
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