Italian Square Bocce Championship

Square bocce, the game of the locals

The Italian Square Bocce Championship is one of the most original and iconic events of the summer in Mondovì, in the province of Cuneo, in the heart of Piedmont. The absolute stars are the square bocce: colorful, angular, and imperfect wooden cubes that travel along unpredictable trajectories, whether uphill or downhill. As they love to say in Mondovì, it is "the only sport without categories," truly open to everyone, from children to the elderly and amateur athletes.

From Provence to Mondovì Piazza

The game originated in France, in the small Provençal village of Haut de Cagnes, where the steep narrow streets made traditional pétanque impossible: hence the idea of boules carrées, square bocce that do not roll away. The Monregalese tradition took shape in 2013, when a group of friends from Mondovì, after winning a championship in Castellinaldo, decided to bring this cubic challenge to their city. In January 2019, the Associazione Bocce Quadre Mondovì was officially founded, which has since managed the organization of the championship and turned it into a nationally recognized event.

Two days of competition in Piazza Maggiore

The championship takes place in the scenic Piazza Maggiore, in the upper district of Mondovì Piazza, amidst Baroque palaces and porticoes. The format is for pairs and is open to anyone: registration takes place directly on-site until the qualifying rounds are completed. The organization provides all participants with a kit containing the official bocce. For those who arrive late or do not qualify for the final bracket, a Sunday afternoon "sprint tournament" is also held, ensuring no one is left on the sidelines.

Much more than a race

The tournament is surrounded by a rich array of initiatives: evening shows, art workshops to customize your own bocce, music, and social moments featuring local products. Over the years, the championship has hosted talk shows with well-known figures from entertainment and sports, as well as exhibitions dedicated to the world of square bocce, such as the "CubiQa" display.

A symbol of the Monregalese summer

The Italian Square Bocce Championship has become one of the most recognizable traditions of Mondovì and the Monregalese area: an event that captures the self-deprecating and welcoming spirit of this corner of Piedmont, capable of transforming an anarchic and edgy game into a great popular festival. Between a thrown boccia and a laugh, Piazza Maggiore fills with color, people, and joy, confirming square bocce as the authentic "game of the locals."