Today marks the start of the tenth edition of the Pulcino d’Oro International Tournament, an event for Under-11 youth football. Until Sunday 15 June, the pitches of Valsugana, with Levico Terme at its heart, will host an event that focuses not only on sport, but also on growth, inclusion and the culture of sharing. The numbers speak for themselves: over 1,200 young footballers aged 9 to 11, from all over the world, will take part in more than 500 matches. Eighty football clubs, both professional and amateur, will be at the starting line. The 2025 edition, in particular, marks a historic milestone for the tournament, which began in 2015 as an ambitious football event and is now recognised as an international showcase for youth football. Levico Terme, but also Borgo Valsugana, Caldonazzo and Ischia, with the direct involvement of dozens of volunteers, schools and local organisations.
Some of the most prestigious clubs in world football welcomed participants to the International Tournament and Pulcino d’Oro Girls. Barcelona, River Plate, Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, together with Italian giants Juventus, Milan, Inter, Roma, Atalanta, Parma, Cesena, Bologna and Genoa. In addition to professional teams such as Trento, Perugia, Dinamo Batumi from Georgia, and Al Wahda from the United Arab Emirates. Alongside them, as is tradition, amateur teams from every corner of Italy, making the tournament a football laboratory where competition and exchange become opportunities for growth, both on and off the pitch.
One tournament, many values and horizons
The Pulcino d’Oro is much more than a sporting event. It is an educational, cultural and social project based on the values of sport, inclusion and solidarity. One of the pillars of the 2025 edition is the BES(T) Players project, which involved students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the creation of a collective mural that will be displayed during the tournament. The work symbolically conveys the beauty of diversity and teamwork. The tournament is also an educational opportunity, thanks to 14 work experience projects set up with local schools.
There is also a strong focus on women’s football, with a record edition of the Pulcino d’Oro Girls tournament, which will see 16 Under-11 teams take to the field. These include the women’s teams of Inter, Roma, Milan, Juventus and Genoa, as well as emerging clubs such as Chievo Women, Padova, Frosinone and Pro Vercelli, confirming the tournament’s commitment to promoting women’s football.
A tried and tested format, a real impact
The programme sees the first matches kick off on Thursday 12th, while Friday 13th will see things really get underway with the debut of the big names and the impressive opening parade, one of the most eagerly awaited moments, which will see all the teams cross Levico in a colourful procession of flags, uniforms and smiles. Saturday and Sunday will be the highlight of the competition. On the final day, the eight Pulcino d’Oro, d’Argento, di Bronzo, Gialloblù and Arcobaleno trophies will be raised to the sky, with a total of 80 teams competing on the pitch. The impact of the tournament goes far beyond the playing field. Every year, the Pulcino d’Oro generates thousands of tourist visits, with families, coaches and accompanying adults travelling to Trentino from all over Europe and beyond.
Football as a global language
On the sporting front, the 2025 edition will see the return of previous winners – including Inter, River Plate, Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven, Parma and Cesena – in what promises to be a tournament of the highest technical calibre. The spotlight will be on Barcelona, making its historic debut with its legendary youth academy, and River Plate, the reigning champions ready to defend their title.
The best of World youth football will also be present, with teams from Spain, Germany, England, the Netherlands, Portugal, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina and Italy, reflecting the tournament’s now international scope. Launched in 2015 with just 24 teams and an ambitious idea, today the Pulcino d’Oro is a global event that combines competitiveness and values, talent and inclusion. It is a virtuous model of collaboration between sport, schools and the local area, capable of bringing thousands of people together through a passion for football and the beauty of cultural exchange. From 12 to 15 June, the champions of tomorrow will arrive in Trentino.
Top Teams: River Plate (Argentina), PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands), Benfica and Sporting Lisbon (Portugal), Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig (Germany), Leeds United and Middlesbrough (England), Inter, Juventus, Milan, Roma, Atalanta, Bologna, Parma, Cesena
Pulcino d’Oro Girls: Inter, Juventus, Milan, Roma, Genoa, Frosinone, Venezia, Lady Maerne, Padova, Pro Vercelli, Real Sala Bolognese, Sedriano, Cavolano, La Rocca Monselice, Castelnuovo Garda and Chievo Women
