Frecce Tricolori's 2025 Season Takes Flight: Last Training and Upcoming Displays
On May 1, 2025, the skies over Rivolto Air Base in Udine, Italy, came alive with the thunderous sound of jet engines and the vibrant streaks of red, white, and green smoke trails. This was no ordinary day—it marked the final training flight of the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force’s National Aerobatic Team, signaling the launch of their 2025 display season. Around 10,000 aviation enthusiasts from every corner of Italy flocked to the historic base, home to the 2nd Wing and the 313th Aerobatic Training Group, to witness this event, a powerful testament to the team’s enduring popularity and the public’s love for their breathtaking performances.
This last training flight wasn’t just a warm-up; it was the official kickoff to a season that holds special significance—the Frecce Tricolori’s 65th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, a major airshow is planned for September 6-7, 2025, at Rivolto Air Base, where the team will be joined by international aerobatic squadrons and a showcase of both modern and historic Italian Air Force aircraft. For aviation fans, this season promises a thrilling journey through Italy and beyond, blending tradition, skill, and a touch of national pride.
The event on May 1 was nothing short of mesmerising. As the Frecce Tricolori lifted off from Rivolto, the crowd—spanning generations of aviation lovers—watched in awe as the team’s ten Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN jets sliced through the sky. Nine aircraft flew in tight formation, while a soloist broke away to perform daring manoeuvres, a hallmark of the team’s unique style. The air buzzed with excitement as the pilots executed their signature figures, like the looping “Cardioide” and the intricate “Arizona,” leaving behind those iconic tricolour smoke trails that mirror the Italian flag. For the 10,000 spectators, it was a moment of pure adrenaline and admiration, a fitting prelude to the season ahead.
With the training phase behind them, the Frecce Tricolori are now set to take their show on the road. The 2025 season officially opens on May 4 in Catania, Italy, a coastal city that will host the team’s first public performance of the year. From there, they’ll crisscross the peninsula, bringing their precision flying to towns like Rimini on May 11, Desenzano del Garda on May 18, and Grado on May 25. June keeps the momentum going with stops along the Italian coast—Lungomare Ladispoli on June 1, Punta Marina on June 8, and Jesolo on June 28—plus a special trip to Fermo and Porto San Giorgio on June 22. Each show builds on the last, offering locals and visitors alike a chance to see one of the world’s premier aerobatic teams in action.
The international leg of the season is where things really heat up. On June 14-15, the Frecce Tricolori will perform at the AIRE 25 - Patrulla Águila 40 Years Airshow in San Javier, Murcia, Spain, sharing the stage with Spain’s own aerobatic team to mark a milestone celebration. A month later, from July 18-20, they’ll take part in the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, UK, one of the most prestigious airshows on the planet. Then, on September 13-14, they’ll head to the Sanicole International Airshow in Hechtel, Belgium, dazzling crowds at Vliegveld Leopoldsburg. These overseas appearances highlight the team’s global reputation and their ability to captivate audiences far beyond Italy’s borders.
Back home, the summer schedule remains packed. July brings performances in Lignano Sabbiadoro on the 6th and Ancona on the 27th, while August sees the team in Messina on the 3rd, La Spezia’s Cadimare on the 10th, and Barletta on the 31st. September’s highlight, of course, is the 65th-anniversary airshow at Rivolto, but the team will also visit Thiene on the 20th before wrapping up the season on October 5 in Varazze, Italy. This final show will close out a whirlwind tour that blends domestic pride with international flair, showcasing the Frecce Tricolori’s artistry at every turn.
For those who know their aviation history, the Frecce Tricolori are more than just a display team—they’re a legacy. Formed on March 1, 1961, as the 313° Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico, Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale (PAN), they’ve been based at Rivolto ever since, earning a reputation as the world’s largest aerobatic team. Their fleet of ten MB-339-A/PAN aircraft—light, agile jets originally designed as fighter-trainers—has been fine-tuned for the demands of aerobatics. With a top speed of around 560 miles per hour and a design that allows for tight formations, these planes are perfect for the team’s complex routines. The pilots, all drawn from the Italian Air Force, undergo rigorous training to master the split-second timing and coordination that define their performances.
What sets the Frecce Tricolori apart isn’t just their size but their style. Unlike smaller teams, they use nine aircraft in formation plus a soloist, allowing for displays that are both grand and intricate. Their manoeuvres—like the “Scintilla,” where planes cross within meters of each other, or the “Alona,” a heart-shaped loop with smoke—require precision that’s almost superhuman. The tricolour smoke, produced by a special system in the aircraft’s exhaust, isn’t just for show; it’s a nod to Italy’s national identity, a visual reminder of the team’s role as ambassadors of Italian aviation.
The 65th-anniversary airshow at Rivolto on September 6-7 will be the season’s crown jewel. Alongside the Frecce Tricolori, expect to see teams like Switzerland’s Patrouille Suisse, known for their own razor-sharp formations. The Italian Air Force will roll out a mix of current fighters—think Eurofighter Typhoons—and historic gems, possibly including preserved Fiat G.91s or AMX jets from decades past. It’s a rare chance to see the evolution of Italian air power up close, paired with the aerobatic mastery that’s kept the Frecce Tricolori at the top of their game for over six decades.
Reflecting on that last training flight at Rivolto, it’s clear why the team draws such crowds. The energy was palpable as the jets climbed into the sky, the ground shaking with every pass. Fans craned their necks to catch every twist and turn, from the tight diamond formation to the soloist’s barrel rolls. It was a display of skill, yes, but also a celebration of what aviation can be—bold, beautiful, and unifying. As the Frecce Tricolori embark on their 2025 season, they’re carrying that spirit with them, from Catania to Varazze and across Europe, proving once again why they’re a national treasure and a global sensation.
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