Italy capital Rome recently set the stage for the launch of the Tractor of the Year 2026 election. The kick-off event, named “Let the Challenge Begin” and organized in partnership with BKT Tires, offered a virtual showcase of all candidate tractors selected for the final phase of the competition.
As per the official rules, manufacturers had the opportunity to present their contenders to the international jury, an expert panel made up of 26 journalists from 25 different European countries, each representing an agricultural publication.
This year, the TOTY family welcomed a new wave of digital talent with the introduction of young content creators acting as TOTY Ambassadors. Carefully selected for their ability to communicate technical and agronomic content in an engaging and effective way via social media, these creators are set to become a growing voice in the future of agricultural communication.
The opening event gathered around 80 guests, including journalists, influencers, representatives of leading tractor manufacturers, and executives from BKT, global off-road tire supplier and exclusive sponsor of Tractor of the Year.
19 tractors from 15 major brands are lined up at the starting gate: Case IH, Fendt, JCB, Claas, McCormick, Valtra, New Holland, Zetor, Landini, Kioti, Antonio Carraro, BCS, Goldoni, Solis, and TAFE.
Award categories for 2026
- TOTY HighPower for tractors above 300 hp
- TOTY MidPower for models ranging from 150 to 280 hp
- TOTY Utility for conventional multitasking tractors between 70 and 140 hp, equipped with a maximum 4-cylinder engine and an operating weight up to 10,000 kg
- TOTY Specialized dedicated to tractors designed for orchards, vineyards, hills, and mountain farming with power over 40 hp
- Five tractors competing in these four categories will be shortlisted for the TOTY Sustainable Award, that celebrates the efforts to reduce the environmental impact of modern farming.
Also back for its second year is TOTYBOT, the category dedicated to autonomous tractors without cab, either in prototype or commercial stage, with traditional, hybrid, or electric propulsion, and equipped with a three-point hitch for standard implements.
In the coming weeks, the jury will finalize the shortlist of finalists, allowing manufacturers to plan dedicated field tests throughout September and October. The grand awards ceremony will take place on November 9th at Agritechnica in Hannover, Germany.
“With Let the Challenge Begin, we celebrate not only the excellence of agricultural tractors but also the spirit of innovation and collaboration that drives our industry. We are excited to welcome manufacturers, journalists, and young influencers to kick off a new and exciting edition of TotY,” said Fabio Zammaretti, Chairman of Tractor of the Year.
“We are glad to support once again an initiative like the Tractor of the Year that focuses on innovation and performance, two values strongly in line with our desire to offer increasingly advanced solutions to OEMs and industry operators. An event like this represents an important opportunity for dialogue and discussion with leading European manufacturers, and fuel our ongoing commitment to an increasingly efficient future,” added Lucia Salmaso, Managing Director, BKT Europe.
About Tracor of the Year (TOTY)
Established in 1998, Tractor of the Year is an international award that endorses excellence in agricultural mechanization. Judged by a panel of 26 independent journalists from across Europe, the award highlights the most innovative, efficient, and sustainable tractors on the market. Representing a wide range of media, print, digital, TV, and social, the jury ensures a broad and impartial evaluation. Over the years, TotY has become a benchmark for the industry, driving progress and inspiring manufacturers to raise the bar in performance, technology, and design.
