After the public success of 2024, returns to Piacenza (Emilia Romagna Region), at the San Damiano military airport, “Aeronautica militare Balloon Cup – from the hot-air balloon to the stratosphere”, a sporting competition that will see 15 hot-air balloons and 15 gas balloons and their respective pilot teams, all of international renown, compete in the Italian skies. The race is certified by the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) category 2, thus establishing itself internationally as unique of its kind and the only one in Europe.

The event was conceived to celebrate the values and history of the Italian Air Force through the balloon, which can be considered in all respects the earliest ancestor of the modern machines in use by the Air Force.

This is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence, organized by Difesa Servizi, the ministry’s in‑house company responsible for enhancing the assets of the Armed Forces, to promote the values, capabilities and traditions of Defence and, in particular, of the Italian Air Force and to enhance its brand. The event is conceived with a medium‑to‑long‑term vision and is organized in collaboration with the Air Force.

The event also aims to promote the “Valore Paese Italia” project to tell, from the sky, the beauty and charm of Italian country.

Aeronautica militare Balloon Cup: the race, the events, all the novelties of the second edition

Of the thirty balloons in the competition, twenty‑eight are international.

Teams from across Europe will take part in the hot‑air balloon competition, with balloons of unique design. The pilots present are all included in the world ranking and many of them come from the category World Championships that were held at the end of August in Austria.

Regarding the gas balloon race, of the 15 teams participating, the vast majority come from the edition of the famous “Gordon Bennett” in France (see AVIONEWS), the most prestigious in the field of international competitions in the category.

The second edition returns with a rich schedule of events for adults and children, with tethered flights for everyone and one tethered balloon that is fully accessible.

The Italian aerobatic team (PAN) “Frecce Tricolori” is expected to perform during the three days of events with its famous passes and two airshows, and astronaut Andrea Patassa, test pilot of the Air Force.

The event will also host the “Farfalle”, the Air Force’s rhythmic gymnastics team.

San Damiano airport will be open from 7:00am to give the public the opportunity to watch the evocative take‑off of the hot‑air balloons, which will take place every day starting at 7:15am. The gas balloons will depart late in the evening on Friday 26 September.

Music will be a protagonist of the three days with a performance on the 28th by the Fanfare of the 1st Air Region of the Air Force.

There will be two celebratory ceremonies for the event: the inauguration, which will be held on Saturday 27 September at 10am, and the closing and awards ceremony, which will take place on Sunday 28 at 3:30pm, both at the Piacenza military airfield.

The event was made possible thanks to the official sponsors, including: ITA Airways, Avio SpA, Military Museums, Musam (Historical Museum of the Italian Air Force).

Below, video and photos.