Roma Capitale Tournament - Simonetta Avalle Memorial

Elite women's volleyball comes to Rome

The Roma Capitale Tournament - Simonetta Avalle Memorial is a women's volleyball tournament featuring some of the best teams in the Italian Serie A at Rome's historic Palazzetto dello Sport, the landmark arena in Piazza Apollodoro designed by Pier Luigi Nervi, also known as PalaTiziano. Established in 2025, the event quickly became one of the most anticipated pre-season fixtures in the capital.

A tribute to Simonetta Avalle

The tournament is dedicated to the memory of Simonetta Avalle, a Roman coach deeply connected to the local volleyball scene and remembered as the first woman to coach in Serie A1. Since her passing in 2025, she has left an indelible mark on Italian women's volleyball: the Memorial was created to celebrate her life and career, uniting sport, memory, and community. The FIPAV Rome Territorial Committee organizes the event with the support of Roma Capitale and the Lazio Regional Committee.

The format: four teams, two days of action

The event spans two days: the opening day's semi-finals determine the pairings for the second day, which features the final and the third-place match. The inaugural edition featured four top-tier teams: Bartoccini MC - Restauri Perugia and Il Bisonte Firenze from Serie A1, Akademia Sant'Anna Messina from Serie A2, and the hosts, SMI Roma Volley.

An event for the whole city

Far more than a simple pre-season tournament, the Simonetta Avalle Memorial is an opportunity to bring families, young people, and fans closer to top-level volleyball, with high-intensity matches held in a venue that is a symbol of Roman sport. The tournament has firmly established itself as a major sporting highlight in Lazio and Rome, drawing significant public and media attention—the final of the first edition was broadcast live on RaiSport.

Rome, Lazio, and volleyball

Hosted in the district between Flaminio and Parioli, just steps from the Stadio Flaminio, the tournament highlights the bond between the capital and women's volleyball. For Rome and the entire Lazio region, it represents a precious addition to the autumn sports calendar, honoring a figure who made history in the sport.