Smash for Hope
National solidarity beach volleyball tournament for young cancer survivors
About Smash for Hope
Sport as a path to rebirth
Smash for Hope is much more than just a beach volleyball tournament: it is a celebration of life that brightens the beach of Torre del Lago Puccini, a district of the municipality of Viareggio in the province of Lucca, every June. Established in 2025, it is the first national beach volleyball tournament dedicated to young people who have faced or are currently facing an oncological journey, and it has quickly become a highly anticipated event for the entire Italian pediatric oncohematology community.
The organizers behind the initiative
The event is conceived and organized by AGBALT ODV (Association of Parents of Children Affected by Leukemia or Tumors) in collaboration with the Pediatric Oncohematology Unit of Santa Chiara in Pisa (AOUP), with the patronage of the Municipality of Viareggio and under the aegis of AIEOP and FIAGOP. It is part of the broader "Sport and Health Project," which promotes physical activity as an integral and fundamental part of the treatment process.
A team as big as Italy
Approximately 120 young people aged 15 to 25 gather on the sands of Versilia, divided into 12 teams arriving from the main AIEOP pediatric oncohematology centers across the peninsula: from Pisa to Turin, from Genoa to Milan, passing through Perugia, Bologna, Padua, Monza, Modena, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Each team is accompanied by their respective parents' associations, in a national embrace that makes this tournament a symbol of unity and hope.
Between dives on the sand and team spirit
With spectacular spikes, dives on the sand, laughter, and plenty of healthy competition, Smash for Hope proves that when sport meets solidarity, every point counts double. It is not just about the result: the real prize is having played on the same side—the side of rebirth and sharing. Great names in Italian volleyball also take to the court, lending their charisma and experience to the young participants.
Versilia, the ideal stage
The choice of Torre del Lago Puccini, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and famous for its ties to Giacomo Puccini, provides the event with a bright and welcoming setting. The Marina beach, the Bagno Andrea Doria beach club, and the lively town of Viareggio offer participants and their families days filled with sea, sport, and conviviality in one of Tuscany's most beloved seaside destinations.
Smash for Hope — edition 2026
The second edition of Smash for Hope confirmed and expanded the success of its debut, bringing approximately 120 young people from Italy's main pediatric oncohematology centers to the beach of Torre del Lago Puccini. Between dives on the sand, spikes, and plenty of team spirit, the edition reaffirmed the initiative's message: when sport meets solidarity, every point counts double. On the court, alongside the young people, were great names of national volleyball acting as sporting godfathers for the event.
Programme Smash for Hope 2026
Friday, June 5 — Opening
- Inaugural dinner at the Marco Polo Sport Center in Viareggio, a welcoming moment for all teams and parents' associations.
Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 — Tournaments
- Beach volleyball matches at Bagno Andrea Doria, on the Marina beach of Torre del Lago Puccini.
- 12 teams composed of approximately 120 young people aged 15 to 25, from 15 AIEOP pediatric oncohematology centers.
- Final awards ceremony and shared celebration moments.
Guests
- Fabio Vullo, legendary setter of the "Generation of Phenomena," guest of honor.
- Riccardo Fenili and Riccardo Giumelli, beach volleyball champions and coaches of the "I Toscanacci" team.
Highlights Smash for Hope 2026
Prices Smash for Hope 2026
Practical information — Smash for Hope
Location
The matches take place at Bagno Andrea Doria, on the Marina beach of Torre del Lago Puccini, a district of Viareggio (LU). The opening dinner and some institutional moments are held in Viareggio.
How to get there
By train: Torre del Lago Puccini or Viareggio station on the Tyrrhenian line, followed by a short transfer to the Marina. By car: Viareggio-Camaiore exit on the A11/A12 motorway, then follow signs for the coast. The nearest airport is Pisa (Galileo Galilei), approximately 30 km away.
Participation
The tournament is reserved for young patients and survivors followed by AIEOP pediatric oncohematology centers, accompanied by parents' associations. The event is free for the public who wish to attend and support the participants.
Contacts
For information: AGBALT ODV, website agbalt.it.
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Where does it take place — Smash for Hope
Bagno Andrea Doria, Marina di Torre del Lago Puccini