Coppa Sant'Agata – Agata Sports Week
Sport at the heart of the celebrations for Catania's patron saint
About Coppa Sant'Agata
The Coppa Sant'Agata, the spirit of Agata's sports
The Coppa Sant'Agata – Agata Sports Week is the event that brings sport to the heart of the Festa di Sant'Agata, the celebrations dedicated to the patron saint of Catania and one of the most deeply felt religious festivals in Sicily. Included in the official festivities program, the Cup transforms the Municipality of Catania into a vast, city-wide sports stage, with competitions and tournaments enlivening squares, sports facilities, and even the harbor of the Etnean city.
A recent but deeply rooted history
Founded in 2016 from an idea by Enzo Falzone, president of CONI Sicily, the event has grown year after year to become a highly anticipated fixture in the Agata calendar. The underlying idea is simple yet powerful: to make sport one of the ways through which Catania tells its own identity during the days of the patron saint, combining competition, popular participation, and community values. The 2026 edition also established the "Sant'Agata and Sport" award, presented to Enzo Falzone for his contribution to the birth and growth of the Cup.
Over twenty disciplines in the city
The Coppa Sant'Agata program involves more than twenty sports disciplines spread over approximately three weeks. Among the most popular events:
- Sant'Agata Road Running Trophy, starting from the Palazzo della Cultura and winding through the historic center, organized by AtleticA Sicilia;
- Sant'Agata Football Trophy at the Angelo Massimino stadium and the Cycling Trophy with the Memorial Mirabella;
- Masters and Paralympic swimming, tennis, table tennis, field hockey, duathlon, target shooting, equestrian sports, and bridge;
- padel, youth women's football, dragon boat, and sailing regatta in the port of Catania to close the week.
Inclusion and sport for all
One of the hallmarks of the Cup is its focus on inclusion: numerous disciplines feature Paralympic versions, while initiatives such as city walks and recreational motor activities open the event to families, children, and citizens of all ages. The Coppa Sant'Agata takes place under the patronage of the Municipality of Catania, CONI Sicily, and numerous local sports clubs and federations, confirming itself as an occasion where sport becomes an integral part of the Catanese devotional tradition.
A staple in the Sicilian calendar
For those visiting Catania during the weeks of the patron saint, the Coppa Sant'Agata offers a different and engaging way to experience the city: alongside the processions and religious rites of the festival, sport populates the streets of the province of Catania and Sicily, intertwining athletic competition and urban identity in a shared festive atmosphere.
Coppa Sant'Agata — edition 2026
Coppa Sant'Agata 2026
The Coppa Sant'Agata 2026 was held in Catania from January 19 to February 8, featuring over twenty disciplines spread across the city. The calendar kicked off with the tennis trophy at the Tennis Club Umberto and the "Walking for Sant'Agata" event on January 24 (CSI Catania, starting from Piazza Cavour).
On January 25, field hockey, the 20th "Gigi Pili" Masters swimming trophy, and Paralympic swimming took place; on January 26, table tennis (Paralympic in the morning, Olympic in the afternoon). On January 31, badminton and pickleball at the PalaNitta, equestrian trials, and recreational activities with "Sport in Comune".
On February 1, the 26th Sant'Agata Football Trophy was held at the Massimino stadium, along with the super sprint duathlon, the 13th cycling trophy with the 11th T. Mirabella Memorial, target shooting, and equestrian sports. On February 2, the traditional road running trophy took place, starting from the Palazzo della Cultura (AtleticA Sicilia), followed by bridge on February 4. The event concluded on February 7 and 8 with padel, Under-13 women's football, dragon boat, and sailing regatta in the port. The edition saw the establishment of the "Sant'Agata and Sport" award.
Programme Coppa Sant'Agata 2026
- Jan 19 – Sant'Agata Tennis Trophy (Tennis Club Umberto)
- Jan 24 – "Walking for Sant'Agata", walk from Piazza Cavour (CSI Catania)
- Jan 25 – Field hockey; 20th "Gigi Pili" Masters swimming trophy; Paralympic swimming
- Jan 26 – Table tennis (Paralympic morning, Olympic afternoon)
- Jan 31 – Badminton and pickleball (PalaNitta); equestrian (SISA, Aci Sant'Antonio); "Sport in Comune" (Sport e Salute)
- Feb 1 – 26th Football Trophy (Massimino stadium); super sprint duathlon; 13th Cycling Trophy – 11th T. Mirabella Memorial; target shooting; equestrian
- Feb 2 – Road running trophy, starting from Palazzo della Cultura, historic center (AtleticA Sicilia)
- Feb 4 – Bridge trophy (ASD Convivium)
- Feb 7 – Padel; Under-13 women's football (FIGC Catania); dragon boat in the port (Circolo Canoa)
- Feb 8 – Padel (final day); Sant'Agata Sailing Regatta in the port
Highlights Coppa Sant'Agata 2026
Prices Coppa Sant'Agata 2026
Practical information — Coppa Sant'Agata
When
The Coppa Sant'Agata takes place every year during the weeks of the patron saint's festivities, between mid-January and February 8th, the final day of the Festa di Sant'Agata.
Where
Events are held in various locations in Catania: the historic center (road running starting from the Palazzo della Cultura), the Angelo Massimino stadium, the PalaNitta, city sports facilities, and the port of Catania for dragon boat and sailing regattas.
How to get there
Catania is served by the Catania-Fontanarossa airport, rail connections, and the A18/A19 motorways. Many competitions take place in the city center, which is accessible on foot or by public transport.
Costs
Many initiatives are free for the public; participation in competitions is regulated by the individual organizing clubs and federations.
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