Palio di Siena, a look at tonight’s draw and the coming weeks

In 30 days, the Palio di Siena of 2 July 2026 will officially begin. However, so far only six of the ten contrade are known that will take part in the Palio. The next thirty days will therefore be decisive in completing the full picture.

The first step is tonight at 19:00, when the draw will be completed: at this stage Onda, Civetta, Giraffa, Leocorno, Aquila, and Torre are directly qualified. Nicchio is suspended, meaning four other contrade are still waiting to learn their fate. From that moment on, the most intense weeks begin.

As for the horses, three scheduled appointments with the Protocollo remain: on 4 June in Monticiano, then on 6 and 9 June in Mociano. This year as well, there have been some changes to the calendar due to bad weather.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Siena announced today the procedure for the pre-registration of horses for the veterinary pre-inspections (previsite). From yesterday, 30 May 2026, until 15 May. Afterwards, all registered horses will be expected at the Il Ceppo veterinary clinic on 22 and 23 June, with the possibility of adding an extra day on 24 June depending on the number of entries.

The Prove regolamentate (or night heats) are scheduled for 27 and 28 June 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m., with horses arriving before 5:00 a.m. The presentation of the horses for the Tratta will take place on 29 June 2026 from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.

Everything is therefore ready for the Palio of 2 July, and from Monday onward the strategies between contrade, jockeys, and horses to be selected will officially begin. Attention is focused on Diodoro, Anda e Bola, and Benitos: the first question is whether they will all be entered, or whether a group without winning horses will be chosen, or perhaps only with Zio Frac.

Among the jockeys, Tittia and Gingillo will certainly be the most in demand, but there is also room for many young riders. It is not excluded that the time has come for a generational change, as many have stood out this spring in the preparatory races.

Much will, as always, depend on the drawn contrade; they cannot all aim for a debutant. The first attention, therefore, is directed tonight at 19:00 to the windows of the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena: from there, everything will unfold.