New England Concours Debuts at Lionheart Country Club

A New Chapter for a Celebrated Concours

The New England Concours d’Elegance will open a new era this fall with a move to the Lionheart Country Club in Avon, Connecticut. The event is set for Saturday, October 17, 2026, and it will unfold across the club’s rolling lawns. Presented in partnership by The Hometown Foundation and Hemmings, the gathering aims to blend automotive history, thoughtful curation, and community spirit in a refined New England setting.

Organizers promise a show field that feels both intimate and ambitious. Moreover, the venue change signals a fresh vision for the concours experience. Attendees can expect a polished program, clear sightlines, and a visitor-friendly layout. In short, the setting matches the standard of the cars.

Beyond the cars, the weekend will emphasize connection. Collectors, enthusiasts, and first-time visitors will find plenty of chances to meet, learn, and celebrate design. As a result, the 2026 concours is positioned to be both a showcase and a social event.

Friday Night Preview: Style, Conversation, and First Glimpses

The festivities begin on Friday, October 16, with a VIP Preview Dinner at the Farmington Polo Club. This evening sets the tone for the weekend. Guests will explore curated vehicle displays, enjoy premium food stations, and sample whiskeys in a relaxed environment. Luxury lifestyle vendors will add an extra touch with fine watches, jewelry, and cigars.

Crucially, this preview offers time to mingle without the Saturday spotlight. Entrants and enthusiasts can talk shop, swap stories, and plan their tour of the show field. Furthermore, the setting encourages new connections across generations and interests. It is a warm, stylish start to a high-profile weekend.

Because Friday is unhurried, many participants use it to fine-tune their plans. Judges and owners alike can take an early look at potential standouts. Consequently, the preview helps build anticipation for judging day.

Saturday at Lionheart: A Full Day of Experiences

On Saturday, gates open at 10:00 a.m. for all ticket holders. Then, at 10:15 a.m., the program begins with the National Anthem and a formal presentation of colors. The morning offers time to stroll the lawns, photograph favorites, and chat with owners and restorers.

Food service runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. VIP guests will enjoy a gourmet lunch in the marquee tent, while a variety of local food trucks will serve the broader grounds. Therefore, visitors can make a meal stop without losing track of must-see cars. Live music and sponsor displays will add energy throughout the day.

The awards ceremony starts at 2:00 p.m. and concludes at 3:00 p.m. It will cap the official program and spotlight the event’s most remarkable entries. By late afternoon, the concours will wrap with an eye toward lasting memories and next year’s goals.

On the Field: Diverse Classes and a Star Marque

Approximately 100 handpicked automobiles will compete across 14 judged classes. Traditionalists will find familiar touchstones in the AACA and CCCA classes. Additionally, a special American Classics class will salute the nation’s 250th anniversary. These categories honor craftsmanship, provenance, and thoughtful stewardship.

Performance fans will not be left out. American Muscle, Corvettes, and Pro-Touring/Resto Mods will share space with European Supercars, Italian highlights, and a dedicated British class. Notably, the Jaguar E-Type earns its own standalone category, underscoring its influence and design purity. A “Country Club” class, inspired by the venue itself, will showcase cars that fit the estate lifestyle.

For 2026, Mercedes-Benz steps forward as the featured marque. Three dedicated classes will cover Open and Closed models, plus a special tribute to the enduring W123 chassis. Meanwhile, a non-judged Supercars, Exotics, & Classics field will broaden the mix. As a result, visitors will enjoy a full spectrum of eras, tastes, and technologies.

Honors, A Grand Marshal, and a Cause That Matters

On awards day, expect more than Best in Show. Special honors will include the Chief Judge’s Award, the Grand Marshall Award, the Hemmings Award, and the Preservation Award. Furthermore, the “Keeping it in the Family” Award and the Honored Collector Award will celebrate personal legacies. Community ties will take the spotlight through the Spirit of The Hometown Foundation Award, the National Guard Best Choice Award, and the Lionheart Award.

Adding star power and deep expertise, Wayne Carini will serve as Grand Marshal. A lifelong Connecticut enthusiast and renowned restorer, he grew up learning on pre-war legends like Duesenbergs, Packards, and Lincolns. Moreover, an early ride in a Ferrari 250 GT SWB helped steer a career devoted to preservation and craftsmanship. His presence promises insight, approachability, and inspiration for entrants and fans alike.

Most importantly, the concours will fuel a larger mission. All proceeds benefit The Hometown Foundation’s HungerLESS Holidays program, which fights food insecurity across the Northeast. In 2025, the initiative distributed 35,000 turkeys and more than 170,000 pounds of fresh produce, reaching over 280,000 individuals. Therefore, each ticket and entry turns automotive passion into practical support for families in need.

How to Attend, Dine, or Show Your Car

Spectator tickets, VIP dinner reservations, and vehicle registration for judged and non-judged fields are available online. Because options can sell out, early planning is encouraged. Entrants should review class criteria and confirm logistics before arrival. Likewise, visitors may wish to schedule their day around lunch hours and the afternoon awards.

How to Attend, Dine, or Show Your Car

Spectator tickets, VIP dinner reservations, and vehicle registration for judged and non-judged fields are available online. Because options can sell out, early planning is encouraged. Entrants should review class criteria and confirm logistics before arrival. Likewise, visitors may wish to schedule their day around lunch hours and the afternoon awards.

Whether you come to display, judge, or simply soak in the atmosphere, the 2026 New England Concours d’Elegance promises an opportunity to experience automotive heritage in one of America’s most distinctive autumn settings.

More Than a Car Show: A Celebration of Automotive Culture

What makes a concours d’elegance special goes far beyond the quality of the automobiles on display. These gatherings bring together generations of collectors, restorers, designers, and enthusiasts who share an appreciation for engineering, craftsmanship, and history.

New England provides a particularly fitting backdrop. Its historic estates, country clubs, winding roads, and colorful autumn landscapes create a natural connection between classic motoring and a traditional American lifestyle.

For many enthusiasts, attending a concours is also an opportunity to discover the stories behind extraordinary automobiles. A carefully preserved Mercedes-Benz, a beautifully restored Jaguar E-Type, or an American classic passed down through generations can reveal as much about its owners as about the period in which it was built.

Moreover, these events help preserve automotive knowledge. Conversations between experienced collectors and younger enthusiasts encourage the next generation to appreciate the value of originality, mechanical craftsmanship, and responsible restoration.

The New England Concours d’Elegance aims to continue that tradition while introducing a new setting and a renewed sense of purpose.

An Autumn Weekend Worth Remembering

October in Connecticut offers a distinctive atmosphere for an automotive gathering. The changing foliage, historic architecture, and countryside scenery provide a setting that complements the elegance of vintage automobiles.

Beyond the concours itself, visitors can explore the surrounding Farmington Valley, known for its small towns, scenic roads, and traditional New England character. A weekend built around classic cars can easily become a broader journey through the region’s cultural and natural heritage.

Ultimately, the appeal of the New England Concours d’Elegance lies in this combination of experiences. It brings together exceptional automobiles, passionate people, and a setting that celebrates the pleasures of a slower, more considered lifestyle.

For readers of Life in Classic, that philosophy feels particularly relevant. Classic motoring has never been simply about owning remarkable machines. It is also about the places we discover, the people we meet, and the memories we create along the way.

As the concours enters its new chapter at Lionheart Country Club, it offers a reminder that automotive elegance remains as much about the experience as the automobile itself.

Because the finest classic cars deserve more than admiration. They deserve a life worth driving.