In Piazza Santa Croce, the historical home to this game, the two semi-final matches will be held: on Saturday 10th between the Greens and the Reds, and on Sunday 11th the Whites and the Blues measure their strength. Sunday June 24th, on Florence’s patron saint’s feast day for St. John the Baptist, the final match to determine the winner will be played. All the appointments start at 5pm. All the streets closed for the event.
For this days, Piazza Santa Croce is prepared to return to those times when it was just a dirt square (instead of stone) to recreate the setting. Of course, today bleachers set up so that spectators can better enjoy the game.
The Districts of Florence symbolically participate in the Historic Florentine Soccer Tournament.
Florentine soccer has ancient origins. It’s certain that, in the second half of the 5th century, soccer had become so widespread among young Florentines that they frequently practiced it in every street and square in the city. It was so popular that in January of 1490, finding the Arno river completely frozen over, a field was marked off and several games were played.
Most likely played by two even-numbered teams on the sandy ground using a large ball stuffed with rags or leather, the only objective is to get the ball into the opponent’s field, by any means.
Competition is a continuous body to body, head to head combat for the possession of the ball.
It's an unforgettable event!