Sardinia Offers €7.5 Million for LaVuelta 2028 Start. Sardinia has officially bid to host the start of LaVuelta 2028, proposing a €7.5 million investment to repeat the success of the Giro d’Italia and boost the island’s tourist appeal.
The La Vuelta cycling race may, for the first time, start from the island of Sardinia in 2028: regional authorities in Italy have already offered organizers €7.5 million for the right to host the opening stages on their territory. According to L’Unione Sarda, citing Italian sources, negotiations are at an early stage, but the size of the offer reflects growing competition among regions for the status of hosting major international events.
This would not be a first for Sardinia: in 2017, the island hosted the start of the Giro d’Italia, which brought significant economic and media benefits. The route then passed through the cities of Alghero, Olbia, and Cagliari, and the success of the event became a strong argument for a new bid—now for the Spanish La Vuelta. Local authorities hope to replicate this successful formula, using cycling as a tool to promote tourism and enhance the region’s sporting image.
In recent years, La Vuelta has been actively expanding the geography of its starts: international stages have already taken place in Lisbon, Utrecht, Nîmes, and Assen. This approach not only increases the race's visibility, but also attracts additional investment and attention to the host regions. Sardinia, with its scenic roads along the Mediterranean Sea and established cycling culture, appears a strong candidate for the next international start.
According to Italian media, a format with several full stages on the island before the race moves to Spain is being discussed. This would give Sardinia the opportunity to remain in the global cycling and tourism spotlight for several days. There has been no official confirmation from the LaVuelta organizers yet, but the project is already being actively discussed in the professional community.
Interest in hosting the international starts of major races is growing: regions see it as a chance for economic growth and global positioning. The figure of 7.5 million euros demonstrates the high competition for such events. For comparison, similar applications in the past involved no less investment, and the impact from hosting the stages is often felt in the tourism sector and infrastructure.
In the context of the battle for major sports projects, it is worth noting that interest in international initiatives is not limited to the regions of Italy and Spain. For example, personnel changes were recently discussed at a football club in Madrid, which is also linked to issues of image and investment: José Mourinho may return as head coach of Real Madrid.
For reference: LaVuelta is one of the three largest cycling races in the world, along with the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia. International starts have become a tool for the race to broaden its audience and attract new partners. If the Sardinia project is implemented, it will be another step in the strategy of globalizing the Spanish race and will strengthen the region’s position on Europe’s tourism map.
