European Tango Cup & Festival

Argentine Tango Conquers Salsomaggiore Terme

In the summer of 2026, the European Tango Cup & Festival chooses the Congress Palace of Salsomaggiore Terme, an elegant spa town in the province of Parma in Emilia-Romagna, for its sixteenth edition. From July 1st to 6th, dancers, masters, and enthusiasts from dozens of nations will gather on a single international stage to experience six days of passion, elegance, and Rioplatense embrace.

Two Competitions, One Stage

The 2026 edition is particularly prestigious as it brings together two distinct official competitions, each with its own identity:

• 16th European Tango Cup: Official Preliminary for the Tango BA Festival y Mundial 2026. Dancers competing here follow the official path to Buenos Aires, with access to the Mundial finals in the Argentine capital according to regulations, in the Tango de Pista and Tango Escenario categories.
• 1st World Finals of the MetropoliTango Cup: For the very first time, the world finals of the MetropoliTango Cup will be held, open to finalists of the MetropoliTango circuit from around the world, celebrating tango excellence and the global community.

Masters and Artists

The festival brings the elite of international masters and dancers to the floor. Among the guests announced for 2026 are Vanesa Villalba & Facundo Piñero, Camila Alegre & Ezequiel Lopez, Bruna Estellita, and Sebastian Bolivar, accompanied by an international jury and special guests. Exhibitions, evening and night milongas until the early hours of the morning mark the entire program, with the Festival coming alive from 8:00 PM to 3:00 AM and competition sessions starting in the late afternoon.

A European History

Founded in 2010, the event is organized by Metro Tango SSD (Metropolitano Tango Italia), an organization built on the many years of experience of Barbara Cicero, who has held the exclusive mandate from the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Buenos Aires for the Official Preliminary Venues of the Tango World Championship for Italy and Europe since 2010. Over the years, the cup has visited cities such as Turin, Rome, Todi, Cervia, and Bellaria Igea Marina, and now arrives for the first time in the charming spa setting of Salsomaggiore.

Why Salsomaggiore

With its Congress Palace and the Liberty atmosphere of the spa town, the Municipality of Salsomaggiore Terme offers the ideal setting for an event that combines sport, art, and culture. The event represents a unique opportunity to discover one of Emilia-Romagna's most fascinating locations, with its thermal baths, Art Deco architecture, and the gastronomy of the province of Parma.