For more than three decades, The Amelia Concours has transformed Amelia Island into a gathering place for incomparable automobiles, the stories behind the cars, and the people who love them. It’s where legendary drivers stand shoulder-to-shoulder with hobbyists, where locals discover the dedication behind the passion, and where history inspires innovation. Now entering its 31st year, The Amelia returns from Thursday, March 5 to Sunday, March 8, building on the tradition that keeps this gathering growing year after year.
As it prepares for opening day, The Amelia is sharing some big news: the Amelia Concours d’Elegance flagship event is moving to Saturday, while Sunday is evolving into a community event featuring Cars & Caffeine and familyfriendly automotive fun. The result is a weekend that feels connected to the community and intentional, a thoughtful evolution in our beloved Amelia Concours d’Elegance.
With the new schedule, the move of the Concours d ‘Elegance main event to Saturday gives the show field the breathing room it deserves. The Concours is the heart of the weekend – the event where craftsmanship, history, and years of restoration work are showcased. Moving it to Saturday allows for better judging conditions, more time for guests to explore, and a more relaxed pace for the owners, who pour so much of themselves into these cars.
It’s a change that respects the devotion behind the passion, and it elevates the experience for attendees. Similarly, this positions Sunday to be a day centered on the community. Cars & Caffeine and other familyfriendly programming create a finale where families can enjoy time together beside world-class automobiles.
CELEBRATING 31 YEARS AT
THE AMELIA CONCOURS
The Amelia has come a long way since its beginning in 1996, when founder Bill Warner first brought together everyday car hobbyists, legendary drivers, automotive designers, TV personalities, and industry executives here on Amelia Island to celebrate everything automotive. Year after year, Warner and a dedicated team of volunteers gave life to this worldclass gathering. Their efforts earned The Amelia international recognition, including the coveted “Motoring Event of the Year” award from the International Historic Motoring Awards in both 2013 and 2016.
In 2021, Hagerty, with decades of experience hosting carcentric events and a mission to preserve driving culture for future generations, took the helm. The Amelia Island Concours staff joined the Hagerty team, bringing their unmatched expertise and historic knowledge to ensure the event’s legacy remained intact.
“Since 1996, The Amelia has become a celebration of cars, driving, motorsports, and community that car fans around the world look forward to, and we are very proud of that,” says McKeel Hagerty, Hagerty CEO, Board Chairman and Chairman of The Amelia. “Our goal is to keep on evolving and improving this annual showcase so that in another 31 years, people are still enjoying and appreciating the very best examples of our shared automotive heritage.”
Today, The Amelia contributes nearly $30 million annually to Florida’s economy and has donated more than $4 million to local charities, proof of the twin engines of passion and purpose that drive The Amelia.
INDYCAR SERIES CHAMPION AND THREE-TIME INDIANAPOLIS 500 WINNER DARIO FRANCHITTI MBE IS THE AMELIA’S 2026 HONOREE
Each year, The Amelia honors a motorsports icon whose achievements have shaped racing history. The 2026 honoree is Dario Franchitti MBE, a fourtime IndyCar Series Champion and threetime Indianapolis 500 winner, whose precision, sportsmanship, and passion have made him one of the most respected figures in the sport.
“The Amelia has always been fueled by a passion for competition and a deep connection to racing culture, and Dario Franchitti exemplifies both. He’s an extraordinary addition to our legacy of honorees,” says Hagerty.
Franchitti’s influence will be honored throughout the weekend—from seminars and panel discussions to special exhibitions on the show field. His storied career, marked by 31 IndyCar victories and a reputation for grace under pressure, makes him a natural fit for The Amelia’s longstanding tradition of celebrating racing’s most influential figures.
“I’ve been coming to The Amelia for many years, not just to admire the incredible cars, but also to celebrate those who’ve been honored before me,” says Dario Franchitti. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced the success I have, made possible in large part by the talented people I’ve worked with and the incredible cars I’ve driven. My love for all things automotive continues to grow every day, and I’m thrilled to share that passion with thousands of fellow enthusiasts in March.”
REVERIE RETURNS TO THE RITZ-CARLTON, AMELIA ISLAND ON MARCH 5
The weekend “officially” kicks off with Reverie, The Amelia’s signature opening celebration. As the sun sets, guests are welcomed onto The RitzCarlton, Amelia Island’s oceanfront lawn for a cocktail reception with live performers. From there, the evening flows into the ballroom, where themed automotive pieces showcase the Broad Arrow Auction preview. Each display is paired with a curated food and beverage experience, dishes and cocktails inspired by the story, personality, or era of the car beside them.
“With a spirit reminiscent of coastal charm, each setting combines automotive passion, sophisticated design, and an ambiance that invites guests to enjoy the evening with curated gourmet dishes and craft cocktails inspired by the classics on display,” says Matt Orendac, Concours Vice Chairman. “This is more than an opening event – it’s a celebration of the automotive community coming together for an evening of elegance, taste, and artistry.”
Reverie, sponsored by Chopard, has quickly become one of the most anticipated moments of the weekend, a place where collectors, designers, and fans reconnect and raise a glass to the days ahead.
BROAD ARROW AUCTION, ROAD TOURS, AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACCESS
On Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6, the public is invited to the Broad Arrow Auctions preview, featuring 140 exceptional collector cars, from prewar American and European classics to motorsport icons and modern supercars. The preview runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The RitzCarlton, Amelia Island. Broad Arrow’s legendary auction begins Friday at 3 p.m. and continues Saturday at 10:30 a.m., offering bidders a chance to take home some of the weekend’s most extraordinary vehicles.
For attendees who want to do more than look or bid, Hagerty’s popular Ride & Drive Experience invites guests to get behind the wheel of classic and modern vehicles for guided drives around the Island. The Ride & Drive Experience is free and open to the public all weekend on a first-come, first-served basis.
Friday morning brings the highly anticipated Eight Flags Road Tour, presented by Reliable Carriers. From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Amelia Concours entrants will wind through Amelia Island’s scenic roads while locals line the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of rare and historic vehicles cruising by.
Friday evening concludes with Legends of Speed, an intimate multicourse dinner honoring The Amelia Concours 2026 Honoree Dario Franchitti MBE, a celebration inspired by the extraordinary life and career of a true motorsports icon. From his early days in Scotland to the top step of the Indianapolis 500, each course pays tribute to the moments, milestones, and memories that shaped this lifelong steward of car culture. Guests will enjoy worldclass cuisine, crafted cocktails, and unforgettable stories told firsthand in an elegant, closeup setting sponsored by Magnifica.
Throughout the weekend, guests can explore a wide range of seminars, from the “Introduction to the Amelia Concours Judging System: M100” on Thursday and Friday to Sunday’s conversation on “The Future of Women in Motorsports” with drivers Mia LeRoux and Sabre Cook.
Additional sessions spotlight Dario Franchitti MBE’s most iconic cars, offer a deepdive into Chip Foose’s career in design and art, and wrap with a lively discussion on the legacy of the CanadianAmerican Challenge Cup.
THE AMELIA CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 7
On Saturday, March 7, the main event arrives: the 31st annual Amelia Concours d ‘Elegance presented for the first time on a Saturday. “As an event shaped by enthusiasts, we’ve listened closely to the guests who attend The Amelia year-after-year. Hosting The Amelia Concours on Saturday will allow for an improved experience while creating room for a bigger-than-ever Cars & Community on Sunday,” says Hagerty.
Held at The Golf Club of Amelia Island, The Amelia Concours d’Elegance features 35 classes and more than 250 historically significant vehicles, including: Horseless carriages, Pre-War American, Pre-War European, Pre-War Rolls Royce, Corvette Factory L88, Ferrari Competition, Can-Am, and special classes honoring Dario Franchitti, just to name a few.
“At The Amelia, we aim to educate, entertain, and engage our guests in the history of the automobile, and what it has meant to us,” says Orendac. “People will have the opportunity to chat with car owners and share their own thoughts and memories. It’s going to be the best Concours event in the history of The Amelia.”
On a lighter note, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Amelia Concours offers RADwood – a celebration of the 1980s and 1990s automotive culture, bringing the spirit of those decades to life in nostalgic and fun way. The field transforms into a colorful throwback filled with music, fashion, and of course, the raddest rides that defined this generation. It will feel like a car show, a time capsule, and a cultural reunion.
CARS & COMMUNITY AND CARS & CAFFEINE
ON SUNDAY, MARCH 8
On Sunday, March 8, The Amelia shifts into a relaxed, community centered celebration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cars & Caffeine brings hundreds of enthusiast vehicles to the field, everything from vintage favorites to modern performance icons, creating a lively, come as you are atmosphere that invites guests to slow down, take it all in, and enjoy all the wonderful automobiles.
As The Amelia steps into its 31st year, the weekend feels both refreshed and familiar, a thoughtful balance of heritage and evolution. The shift to a Saturday Concours main event and a community centered Sunday reflects a commitment to listening to the people who make this event extraordinary. From the precision of Saturday’s show field to the relaxed pace of Sunday’s Cars & Community, The Amelia 2026 invites you to experience the full spectrum of car culture on our coastline.
For more information on purchasing tickets, schedules, and event details, visit ameliaconcours.com.