Palio del Niballo
The jousting tournament and the challenge of Faenza's five districts
About Niballo
The Palio del Niballo, the medieval soul of Faenza
The Palio del Niballo is the grand historical re-enactment of the Municipality of Faenza, in the Province of Ravenna, in the heart of Romagna. Every June, the Manfredi city relives the splendor of its medieval and Renaissance past with a month of events culminating in the famous jousting tournament. The modern competition was born in 1959, on the initiative of Ermanno Cola and Giuseppe Sangiorgi, but its roots date back at least to 1410, to the time of the Manfredi lordship that governed Faenza.
What is the Niballo
The name "Niballo" derives from Hannibal, the Carthaginian general: the target of the joust is a mechanical dummy representing a Saracen, a symbol of the enemy according to medieval iconography. The competition is a jousting tournament: knights charge in pairs at a gallop along two parallel tracks, for about 145 meters, and must hit one of the two small targets (just 8 centimeters in diameter) held by the Saracen with their lance. The round is won by whoever scores the hit without irregularities, and twenty rounds decide the final winner.
The five districts in challenge
The Palio is the challenge between the five historic districts of Faenza, each linked to a city gate and a color:
- Rione Verde (Green District - Porta Montanara), titleholder in 2025
- Rione Giallo (Yellow District - Porta Ponte)
- Rione Rosso (Red District - Porta Imolese)
- Rione Nero (Black District - Porta Ravegnana)
- Borgo Durbecco (Durbecco Borough - Porta delle Chiavi)
Each district fields its own knight, its lady, a group of flag-throwers and musicians, and a historically accurate costumed pageant.
A month of events
The events do not end on the day of the joust. Throughout June, the Torneo della Bigorda d'Oro (Golden Bigorda Tournament), reserved for young knights, competitions for flag-throwers and musicians, pair competitions, and knightly oaths take place. The district weeks transform the district headquarters into places of celebration, with food and wine dinners featuring Romagna specialties and shows. The historical pageant, an authentic traveling museum with hundreds of participants, crosses the city center to the Bruno Neri Stadium, the stage for the jousts.
A living tradition
The Palio del Niballo is today one of the most cherished historical re-enactments in Emilia-Romagna and is part of the circuit of Romagna historical jousts. For the people of Faenza, it is much more than a competition: it is a whole year of work, practice, and passion that culminates in a few seconds of galloping on a Sunday in June.
Niballo — edition 2026
Niballo 2026: the 69th edition
The 2026 edition of the Palio del Niballo in Faenza celebrates the 69th Faenza Equestrian Joust, with the grand finale on Sunday, June 28, at the Bruno Neri Stadium. The official calendar symbolically opens with the Donation of the Candles on May 9 and unfolds throughout June with competitions, pageants, and district festivals. Among the year's innovations are the debut of a comic book dedicated to the Palio with insights into the Manfredi lordship, an animated trailer created by a Faenza studio, and a new Under-15 Junior Flag-Throwers and Musicians Tournament.
The Palio 2026 banner is the work of artist Giuseppe Rava, while the Unicorn awarded to the best lady is crafted by Maria Cristina Sintoni. Live broadcasts are scheduled on TeleRomagna (channel 14) and streaming on the official Niballo channels.
Programme Niballo 2026
Saturday, June 6 — 8:00 PM
- Under-15 Junior Flag-Throwers and Musicians Tournament (new for 2026), Piazza del Popolo
Sunday, June 7 — 9:00 PM
- Flag-throwers competition and Knights' Oath for the 27th Torneo della Bigorda d'Oro, Piazza del Popolo
- Young Flag-Throwers and Musicians Tournament U21
June 8-12 — District Headquarters
- Bigorda d'Oro Week: gastronomy and shows at the district headquarters
Saturday, June 13 — 9:00 PM, Bruno Neri Stadium
- 27th Torneo della Bigorda d'Oro, at night: competition between young knights held according to the rules of the Palio del Niballo (20th consecutive year at night)
- GiraNiballo for children: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, June 20 — 8:30 PM
- Flag-Throwers and Musicians Tournament (Solo, Small Team, Large Team, Musicians)
Sunday, June 21 — 9:00 PM
- "La Botte" Pair Competition with the Albana wine barrel as prize, and Knights' Oath for the Palio del Niballo
Sunday, June 28 — Bruno Neri Stadium
- 69th Niballo Joust: in the afternoon, the majestic historical pageant with hundreds of participants crosses the city center, followed by the jousting tournament between the five districts
- GiraNiballo for children: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Collateral events throughout June: district weeks with dinners and shows, FantaPalio (registration until June 8), and a special Historical Pageant event in the heart of the city.
Highlights Niballo 2026
- 69th Niballo Joust, Sunday, June 28, Bruno Neri Stadium
- 27th Torneo della Bigorda d'Oro at night, June 13
- New for 2026: Palio comic book, animated trailer, and U15 Tournament
- Banner by Giuseppe Rava
Prices Niballo 2026
Practical information — Niballo
How to get there
Faenza is located along the Via Emilia, between Bologna and Rimini. By train, Faenza station is on the Bologna-Rimini line (high-speed train to Bologna or Rimini, then regional train). By car: A14 motorway Bologna-Taranto, exit Faenza. The Bruno Neri Stadium is located in Via Cimatti, just outside the historic center.
Tickets
Tickets for the jousts can be purchased online at vivaticket.com and at the ticket office of the Bruno Neri Stadium on the indicated dates. For the Bigorda d'Oro, pre-sales open from May 28th; for the Niballo Joust, from June 15th.
Tips
The historical pageant and events at the district headquarters are largely free and take place in the historic center. It is advisable to book accommodation in advance for the June weekends.
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Where does it take place — Niballo
Stadio Bruno Neri
Stadio Bruno Neri, Via Cimatti, 48018 Faenza