Alto Canavese Games

A village challenge in the heart of the Canavese

In just a few years, the Alto Canavese Games have become one of the most beloved and well-attended events in the Alto Canavese, the hilly and mountainous territory north of Turin. The event captures the spirit of the iconic 'It's a Knockout': around twenty municipalities compete in lighthearted sporting trials, each fielding their own team with custom jerseys and colors. More than just a competition, it is a great collective ritual of good-natured local rivalry, where village pride is measured in wheelbarrows and tug-of-war ropes.

Origins: from the 'Sfida dei 10' to the Games

The event has its roots in the 1980s with the historic 'Sfida dei 10' (Challenge of the 10) in Rivara. However, the first true Alto Canavese Games were born in 2016 in Prascorsano, during a summer festival organized by the local Pro Loco. Since then, the event has grown edition after edition, involving an increasing number of local towns. Participating municipalities include Bairo, Barbania, Busano, Canischio, Cuceglio, Cuorgnè, Favria, Forno, Frassinetto, Levone, Oglianico, Ozegna, Pertusio, Prascorsano, Pratiglione, Rivara, Rivarolo, Sparone, Torre, and Valperga.

How the games work

Teams, made up of participants of all ages, face off in a series of point-based trials held throughout the weekend. Among the most spectacular disciplines are the wheelbarrow race, sack races, tug-of-war, obstacle courses, and other reimagined traditional games. To ensure fair play, there is even a football-style 'VAR' to settle the most controversial cases. At the end of the three days, the total score determines the winning village.

The 2026 edition in Rivara

The 2026 edition took place from June 12th to 14th in Rivara, in the Province of Turin, with headquarters in the charming park of Villa Ogliani. Twenty teams enlivened the town with parades accompanied by music, chants, smoke bombs, and the stadium-like atmosphere that defines the event. The host town, Rivara, triumphed, finishing ahead of Torre Canavese and Cuorgnè.

A festival for the whole territory

Beyond the competitions, the Alto Canavese Games are above all a great community festival: food stalls, live music, social gatherings, and the proud cheering of the villages make the weekend an event awaited by thousands of people. The touring format, which brings the Games to a different Canavese municipality each year, helps promote the entire Alto Canavese territory and strengthen the bonds between its communities.