Saturday 14 September will see the return of the Azzurri Partner Cup, the 7-a-side tournament for sponsorship partners of Italy’s National Teams. 30 companies will take to the field at the Federal Technical Centre (CTF) in Coverciano for the sixth edition of a tournament that is much more than just a sporting competition.

The event blends recreational sports with real competition in a unique setting, and most importantly, unites people with a shared interest: passion for the National Teams. On and off the pitch, all the companies that have chosen to support FIGC will get to connect. Only one team will lift the trophy at the end, but the real victory comes from the experience of playing football in an iconic location for Italian football, of visiting a sort of “pagan temple” for football fans, the Technical Centre and the Football Museum.

Giovanni Valentini, Vice-Secretary of FIGC and Head of Area Revenue remarked: “We have always seen our commercial partners as part of our team, right alongside us on our journey with the National Teams. Every year the team comes together at Coverciano and takes part in the tournament in which the bond between FIGC and the companies is strengthened. We are bound by our passion for football and common values such as inclusion and sustainability, even if every team wears a different kit.”

THE TEAMS. For the first time in history, 30 teams will take part in what has become a highlight of our sponsorship partners’ sporting calendar. The inaugural tournament consisted of four teams, growing to 12 in 2018 and 2019. After Covid, participation ballooned to 18 teams in 2022, 24 in 2023, and 30 this year. 22 teams from last year’s edition have been confirmed (Adidas, Alilavoro, Calia, Conte.it, Deliveroo, Eni, Esselunga, Ey, Fileni, Fonzies, Football University, Ita Airways, Lete, Museo del Calcio, Socios, Teamsystem, Telepass, Tim, Vivaticket, Volkswagen, Wurth, Wurth Modyf), in addition to six new entries (Kama Sport, Prometeon, Peroni, Remax, Rcs, Technogym), and two returning participants (Sport Network, 2018, and Trenitalia, 2017-2019).

THE COMPETITION. The 30 teams (7 starters and 6 substitutes) will be divided into six groups of five. The round-robin group stage will see 15-minute matches played on the grass pitches at CTF, with free substitutions until the final whistle. The first matches will start simultaneously at 10:15 CEST, and play will end at around 13:30. The six group leaders and two best runner-ups in terms of points (and goal differences if required) will proceed to the next stage.

After the lunch break and draw for the knock-out stage, the quarter-finals will start at 15:30. These will be two halves of 10 minutes, followed by penalties if needed. The semi-finals and final (17:00) will be two halves of 15 minutes each. Penalties if it is a draw, although that is yet to happen in the tournament’s history.

The final will be refereed by an exceptional trio of Daniele Orsato (over 290 Serie A matches between 2006 and 2024, Champions League final 2020), Marco Ricci and Marco Emmanuele. Ex-Italy player Leonardo Bonucci, who was capped 121 times (26 as captain) and scored eight goals for the Azzurri, will present the trophy at the award ceremony.

THE RECORDS. Eni, Lete, Trenitalia and Tim all participated in four out of five previous editions, and Poste Italiane three. EY and Poste Italiane share the top spot in number of wins (2), followed by Fiat (1). 

LIVE ON FIGC.IT. Same as in previous years, real-time updates of results, goals and other news will be available on the following site: https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/partner/azzurri-partner-cup/home-azzurri-partner-cup/