# Palio di Siena 2026: July delay, August draw, horses cleared

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/preparation-for-2026-palio-di-siena
> Updated: 2026-08-03T10:04:14.000Z. Sources: 38. Developments: 17.

In late May, Siena issued an ordinance establishing online pre‑registration for horse owners and scheduling pre‑inspections (22‑24 June), regulated test sessions (27‑28 June) and the Tratta presentation (29 June). On 31 May the city hall drew four additional contrade—Bruco, Drago, Valdimontone and Oca—to join the six permanent participants for the July 2 race, and the captains proposed Renato Bircolotti as mossiere. June saw the municipal technical and veterinary commissions publish a detailed timetable for the veterinary pre‑examinations of 119 horses at the Il Ceppo clinic (22‑24 June). Seventeen horses were already selected for the race, twenty‑one had completed the Tratta and forty‑six passed the regulated tests. Urban bus routes were altered (24 June‑4 July) and Piazza del Campo was closed to traffic to accommodate equipment set‑up. A ceremony on 26 June unveiled the 2026 drappellone by artist Ismaele Nones and presented the Masgalano award, while confirming that regulated trials would run from 27 June to 1 July with the Tratta on 29 June. Veterinarians began health checks in March and intensified inspections at Il Ceppo (22‑24 June). The 118 emergency service prepared a rescue plan for roughly 18 000 spectators, and night trials commenced on 27 June. On 28 June the veterinary commission approved 34 horses for the Tratta batteries, assigning each to a contrada. Heavy rain on 2 July forced a postponement to 3 July; the programme remained unchanged and about 15 000 spectators were expected. Mayor Nicoletta Fabio later reviewed the race footage and defended the drappellone against personal attacks. The municipal council on 5 July drew Aquila, Onda and Giraffa for the 16 August race and confirmed Bircolotti as mossiere. On 31 July the technical and veterinary commissions cleared 1 300 horses for the August Palio, with inspections scheduled for 6‑8 August.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: Siena Mayor Nicoletta Fabio Issues Ordinances for August 2026 Palio

Mayor Nicoletta Fabio signed two ordinances in early August 2026 to control access and clear routes for the Palio di Siena on 16 August, limiting personnel in the Cortile del Podestà and requiring public venues

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-mayor-nicoletta-fabio-issues-ordinances-for-august-2026-palio

### 2026-07-31: Siena Palio 2026: 1,300 horses cleared for August races

The Siena Technical and Veterinary commissions approved 1,300 horses for the 2026 Palio, with inspections set for Aug 6‑8 at the Ceppo clinic.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-palio-2026-1300-horses-cleared-for-august-races

### 2026-07-28: Siena municipality issues new access rules for 2026 Palio horse race

Siena's council issued new ordinances for the 16 Aug 2026 Palio, restricting access to key areas, limiting photographer permits, and setting fines up to €500 for violations.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-municipality-issues-new-access-rules-for-2026-palio-horse-race

### 2026-07-05: Siena's Palio draw selects Aquila, Onda and Giraffa for August 16 race

Siena’s Palio draw on 5 July 2026 chose Aquila, Onda and Giraffa to race on 16 August 2026, joining seven automatic contrade; Mayor Fabio oversaw the ceremony and Renato Bircolotti was re‑appointed as mossiere.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ravenna-launches-animalprotection-patrols-in-parco-teodorico-after-duck-and-goose-disappearances

### 2026-07-03: Italian towns Siena and San Ginesio set dates for traditional Palio horse races

Siena’s Palio resumes on 3 July with official guests and live TV, while San Ginesio prepares its Giostra dell’Anello and the 15 August Palio della Pacca, detailing rider line‑ups and new banners.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-towns-siena-and-san-ginesio-set-dates-for-traditional-palio-horse-races

### 2026-07-02: Siena mayor Nicoletta Fabio backs Palio artwork and reviews race delay after heavy rain

Siena mayor Nicoletta Fabio said she will review Palio race footage after a rain‑induced delay and defended artist Ismaele Nones against personal attacks on his Drappellone.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-mayor-nicoletta-fabio-backs-palio-artwork-and-reviews-race-delay-after-heavy-rain

### 2026-07-02: Palio di Siena postponed to July 3 amid heavy rain

The Palio di Siena was delayed from July 2 to July 3 because rain made the tuff track unsafe; the race will run at 19:30 on July 3 with TV coverage and Aquila favoured on jockey Giovanni Atzeni’s horse Diodoro.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palio-di-siena-2026-celebrated-with-free-university-palace-tours

### 2026-06-28: Palio di Siena 2026: horse selections, Tratta batteries and assignment details

34 horses ran in five Tratta batteries on 29 June; ten were chosen and assigned to contrade for the 2 July 2026 Palio, with Onda, Aquila and Oca winning the horse assignments.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-palio-race-admits-35-horses-for-july-2-2026-event

### 2026-06-26: Palio di Siena night trials kick off in Piazza del Campo

Night trials for the Palio di Siena began on 27 June 2026 in Piazza del Campo, with illuminated runs captured before sunrise as preparations for the famed horse race.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palio-di-siena-night-trials-kick-off-in-piazza-del-campo

### 2026-06-26: Siena readies 118 emergency plan for July Palio crowds

Siena's 118 service, led by Stefano Dami, prepared a 96‑hour health‑rescue plan with doctors, nurses, ambulances and veterinary checks for the July Palio, serving about 18,000 attendees.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-readies-118-emergency-plan-for-july-palio-crowds

### 2026-06-25: Siena veterinarians conduct health checks for July Palio horses

Veterinarians from the Azienda USL Toscana Sud Est are carrying out sanitary, biometric and identity checks on Palio horses, beginning in March and intensifying with exams on June 22‑24 and further inspections

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-veterinarians-conduct-health-checks-for-july-palio-horses

### 2026-06-25: Siena unveils 2026 Palio drappellone and Masgalano award, announces race schedule

Siena presented the 2026 Palio drappellone by Ismaele Nones and the Masgalano award by Antonio Benocci, and outlined the race schedule from late June to 2 July.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-announces-full-schedule-for-july-2-palio-festivities

### 2026-06-21: Siena schedules horse examinations for July 2026 Palio

Siena's mayor confirmed that 119 horses will undergo veterinary exams at the Ceppo clinic from June 22‑24 ahead of the July 2, 2026 Palio, with detailed schedules released.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-schedules-horse-examinations-for-july-2026-palio

### 2026-06-19: Siena bus routes altered for July Palio festivities

Siena's bus lines S21, S54, 637 and 590 are rerouted and termini shifted for the Palio, with Piazza del Campo closed and temporary stops moved to Piazza Matteotti and Piazza Gramsci from 24 June to 4 July.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-bus-routes-altered-for-july-palio-festivities

### 2026-06-16: Siena Palio 2026: Schedule for pre‑examination of 119 horses

Siena set a three‑day schedule (22‑24 June) for veterinary checks of the 119 horses entered in the Palio 2 July 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-palio-2026-schedule-for-preexamination-of-119-horses

### 2026-05-31: Four contrade chosen for Siena's 2026 Palio race

Siena selected Bruco, Drago, Valdimontone and Oca to join six permanent contrade for the 2 July 2026 Palio, with Mayor Nicoletta Fabio presiding and Renato Bircolotti proposed as mossiere.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/four-contrade-chosen-for-sienas-2026-palio-race

### 2026-05-28: Siena finalizes online pre‑registration and schedule for 2026 Palio horse race

Siena’s 2026 Palio ordinance sets online horse pre‑registration (May 30–June 15), pre‑inspections (June 22‑24), test sessions (June 27‑28) and Tratta presentation (June 29).

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siena-finalizes-online-preregistration-and-schedule-for-2026-palio-horse-race

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Cite as: Palio di Siena 2026: July delay, August draw, horses cleared. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/preparation-for-2026-palio-di-siena