Unique CAT2 Event : Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup, where Hot Air and Gas Balloon competition take place in one location
We have a new and unique FAI CAT2 event in Italy, where Hot Air and Gas Balloon competition are happening in the same location, which is starting from the 26th September 2025. We talked to the Organizer of the Event.
Who is organizing this event?
The Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup was a project conceived by Difesa Servizi S.p.A., which, in line with its mission, created this important event to promote values, capabilities, and traditions of the Italian Air Force through hot air balloons and aerostats: ancestors of airplanes and the first witnesses to the birth of the Air Force itself.
Hot air balloons and Frecce Tricolori
What do we want to achieve?
This event was conceived with a medium- to long-term vision, organized in collaboration with the Italian Air Force, Aeroclub d'Italia, Aeroclub Pavullo and with the technical support of Aeronord Aerostati.
The event is also a great opportunity to promote Italy from the unique perspective of the sky and to showcase the Air Force's latest initiatives in research and aerospace. Hence the claim: "From the hot air balloon to the stratosphere," which makes the Balloon Cup a symbolic journey through history of flight and its wonders.
map consulting on gas balloon during the competiton photo by Massimo Arnò
Where is the event held?
The venue is San Damiano Military Airport, in the municipality of San Giorgio Piacentino - a prestigious location with ample space and services. It is also home to the first and only Flyingmuseum in Italy, with a display of historical aircraft and illustration of aviation maintenance activities.
Helicopter and balloons photo by Massimo Arnò
Hot air balloon and Gas Balloon Competition in one place.
The Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup, however, was created primarily as a sporting event: a competition that, from the very beginning, was intended to be unique in the European landscape: a competition that would feature both hot air and gas balloons.
This year, 15 hot air balloon teams and 15 gas balloon teams are ready to compete. The HAB in thrilling target trials and the Gas Balloons in a spectacular long-distance race within Italian borders. Awards will be given at the end of each category's competition, followed by the Balloon Cup, won by the team (composed by an hot air balloon and a gas balloon) that achieves the highest score in their respective competitions.
Gas balloons ready to fly photo by Massimo Arnò
Hot air balloon inflation
Buinding on a successful first edition
After the successful first edition, it was immediately made the decision to take the competition to the next level.
An international hot air balloon competition whose goals include promoting the values, beauty, and history of airborne activities and sports could not fail to turn to the organization whose aim has been to further aeronautical and astronautical activities since 1905.
The Balloon Cup therefore requested and obtained the invaluable FAI Ballooning CAT 2 recognition from the Fédération Aeronautique Internationale for its 2025 edition.
sunset from the gas balloon during the competition
Who are the directors? and the pilots?
Today, the presence of a race management team that can count on names such as Tomas Hora and Uwe Schneider, and the participation of internationally renowned pilots for both the hot air and gas balloon sections - including several winners of the past and recent Coupe Gordon Bennett. Their presence enhances the prestige of the competition and lay the foundation for its future editions.
The goal is to make this an annual event, with continuous growth and the ambitious goal of ensuring that Italy also becomes a stage for major international hot air balloon and gas balloon competitions, always under the valuable recognition, support, and patronage of the Fédération Aeronautique Internationale.
Everybody is invited to visit the event! Don’t miss the Frecce Tricolori and not only and much more!
The Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup is a true "celebration of flight" open to all: a unique, free event that will see hot air and gas balloons alongside the spectacular presence of the Frecce Tricolori, the world-famous Italian Air Force aerobatic team.
They will be present at the airport for three days, alongside with flyovers of historic aircraft, simulators, flight culture events with experts and astronauts, flight-themed workshops for adults and children, giant kites, tethered flights, and much more.
giant kites
Come and immerse yourself in the magical world of flight at the Aeronautica Militare Balloon Cup at San Damiano Piacenza Military Airport from September 26th to 28th.
For all the info and booking
