site.btaPM Zhelyazkov, Two Ministers to Attend Giro d'Italia 2026 Presentation in Rome

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov will attend the presentation of the route of the Giro d'Italia 2026 in Rome on Monday, the government information service said. 

Bulgaria has been selected to host the official opening (Grande Partenza) of the Giro d'Italia 2026, consisting of the first three stages of one of the world's major sporting events, which will take place in May 2026.

The event is a significant opportunity to promote Bulgaria globally as a tourist and sports destination. By hosting the Grande Partenza, Bulgaria has a chance to attract visitors and to strengthen its brand as a year-round, diverse and competitive destination on the international tourism map, the press release said.

Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh and Youth and Sports Minister Ivan Peshev are on the Bulgarian delegation to Rome led by Zhelyazkov. 

Bulgaria has never hosted a cycling race of this scale. The Giro d'Italia draws between 2 and 3 million spectators along the route each year, as well as tens of millions of viewers worldwide. The three-week race features 23 teams of eight riders each, who must cover more than 3,000 kilometres before reaching the finish in Rome.