District Tournament of Vernio

The District Tournament of Vernio

The District Tournament is a popular sporting event that, every summer, ignites a friendly rivalry between the five districts of the Municipality of Vernio, in the heart of the Val Bisenzio, in the Province of Prato (Tuscany). Born in 2024 from the initiative of a group of local young people, the tournament has grown rapidly to become one of the most anticipated events on the Vernio summer calendar, capable of drawing entire families to the field and transforming amateur football into a great collective celebration.

The five districts on the field

The heart of the event is the challenge between the five teams representing the districts and hamlets of the municipal territory:

• Sant'Ippolito-Le Piana-Terrigoli-Le Confina
• San Quirico-Sasseta-La Lama
• Cantagallo
• Montepiano
• Mercatale-Poggiole-Cavarzano

Each district takes the field in its own colors with the passionate support of its inhabitants, creating an atmosphere of healthy competition that strengthens the sense of belonging to the various communities of the valley.

The tournament format

The competition is divided into an initial group stage, at the end of which a ranking is drawn up based on points earned. The top four teams advance to the semi-finals (first against third and second against fourth), which determine the finalists. The matches are played at the Ivo Amerini Sports Field, while the grand final and the awards ceremony represent the highlight of the entire event.

Celebration beyond football

The District Tournament is much more than just a sporting competition: it is an opportunity for gathering and conviviality that accompanies the summer evenings in Vernio. The conclusion of the tournament turns into a large party in Piazza Primo Maggio, with street food, music, and DJ sets that liven up the town until late at night, involving even those who did not follow the matches.

The 2026 edition novelty

The 2026 edition introduces an unprecedented link between football and running: the tournament is paired with the historic «Attraverso il Verde della Val Bisenzio», a footrace now in its 47th edition and organized by G.S.C. Battisti Vernio on the occasion of the club's fiftieth anniversary. Runners compete wearing the colors of the five districts, with a joint awards ceremony for both competitions that further strengthens the community spirit of the Val Bisenzio.

An event for the whole valley

Promoted by UISP with the patronage of the Municipality of Vernio, the District Tournament is now a highly anticipated event that celebrates popular traditions and the identity of the territory. For those visiting Tuscany away from the main tourist circuits, it is the ideal opportunity to discover the authentic village life of the Prato Apennines, amidst sport, gastronomy, and the warmth of the mountain people.