Saracena Swim Cup
The open-water swimming competition on the Saracena Coast, between Brolo and Piraino
About Saracena Swim Cup
Saracena Swim Cup: The Sea of the Nebrodi Takes Center Stage
The Saracena Swim Cup is an open-water swimming event held along the Saracena Coast, in the stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea between Brolo and Gliaca di Piraino, in the province of Messina. Established in 2024, the race has quickly become one of the most anticipated fixtures on the Sicilian swimming calendar, drawing around 240 athletes from all over Italy and several foreign countries, alongside hundreds of supporters and enthusiasts along the shore.
Two Races in the Heart of the Saracena Coast
The sporting program revolves around two main events. The flagship race is the Saracena Trophy, covering a distance of 5 kilometers. Starting and finishing at the Lido Triskele in Brolo, the course leads swimmers to round a buoy near the Torre delle Ciavole, an ancient watchtower that defines this stretch of coastline. In the afternoon, the Miglio dei Lancia takes place, a nautical mile (1,852 meters) race along a circuit winding around the Scoglio di Brolo.
An Event for the Nebrodi Territory
The event is organized by the ASD Sciacquazza and Ulysse Nuoto Messina clubs, with the patronage of the municipalities of Brolo and Piraino. The technical direction is led by Cristina Scotto, a long-distance swimmer known for her crossings of the Aeolian Islands and the Strait of Messina. The Saracena Swim Cup is part of the Grand Prix Sicilia Openwater circuit and is accompanied by side events such as the Rockaround, a non-competitive swim connecting the beach to the Scoglio di Brolo.
Sport, Scenery, and Tourism
Beyond the competition, the Saracena Swim Cup serves as an opportunity to showcase the Tyrrhenian side of the Nebrodi mountains and its coast, with its crystal-clear waters, rocky outcrops, and historic coastal towers. The Municipality of Piraino, overlooking the sea with its seaside hamlet of Gliaca, and the neighboring town of Brolo join forces to host an event that bridges sports and tourism in the province of Messina, Sicily.
Saracena Swim Cup — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The third edition of the Saracena Swim Cup is scheduled for Sunday, June 21, 2026, based at the Lido Triskele in Brolo. In the morning, the 3rd Saracena Trophy will take place over 5 km: meeting at 8:30 AM, briefing at 9:30 AM, and start at 10:00 AM, with the awards ceremony at 1:00 PM. The course leads swimmers to a buoy near the Torre delle Ciavole, between Brolo and Gliaca di Piraino. In the afternoon, the 2nd Miglio dei Lancia (1,852 meters) will take place around the Scoglio di Brolo, starting at 3:30 PM with the awards ceremony at 4:30 PM.
The event is valid as the second stage of the 2026 Grand Prix Sicilia Openwater. Registration, open from April 27 to June 15 via the FIN portal, costs 30 euros for a single race and 45 euros for both. Approximately 240 athletes are expected.
Programme Saracena Swim Cup 2026
- 3rd Saracena Trophy (5 km): meeting 8:30 AM, briefing 9:30 AM, start 10:00 AM, awards 1:00 PM — start and finish at Lido Triskele, Brolo, route to Torre delle Ciavole
- 2nd Miglio dei Lancia (1,852 m): meeting 1:30 PM, briefing 3:00 PM, start 3:30 PM, awards 4:30 PM — circuit around Scoglio di Brolo
- Rockaround (June 20): non-competitive swim from the beach to Scoglio di Brolo
Highlights Saracena Swim Cup 2026
- Third edition, second stage of the 2026 Grand Prix Sicilia Openwater
- Stunning route along the Saracena Coast to the Torre delle Ciavole
- Approximately 240 athletes expected from Italy and abroad
Prices Saracena Swim Cup 2026
Practical information — Saracena Swim Cup
Location
The race takes place in the sea between Brolo and Gliaca di Piraino (ME), with the logistics base at Lido Triskele, Via Lungomare Ammiraglio Luigi Rizzo, Brolo. The reference municipality on the eastern side of the course is Piraino (98060).
How to reach us
By car: A20 Messina-Palermo motorway, take the Brolo-Capo d'Orlando exit, then follow the SS113 to the seafront. By train: Brolo-Ficarra station on the Tyrrhenian line, just a few minutes from the beach.
Registration and Fees
Registration is handled through the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN) national portal, reserved for registered competitive and master athletes or foreign athletes with valid certification. Fees: 30 euros for a single race, 45 euros for both. Contact: [email protected].
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Saracena Swim Cup
Costa Saracena (da Lido Triskele, Brolo, a Gliaca di Piraino)