Summer Volley

Summer Volley: The ultimate youth volleyball celebration

Summer Volley is one of Italy's most significant international youth volleyball tournaments. Every year in mid-June, it transforms Acqui Terme and the neighboring Monferrato towns into a massive sports village, welcoming dozens of youth teams from numerous countries. For three days, this spa town in the Province of Alessandria, Piedmont, fills with young athletes, coaches, families, and fans, creating an event that is part competition, part cultural exchange, and part festival.

A history spanning nearly thirty years

The tournament was born in 1997 from an idea by Ivano Marenco, inspired by his own experience as an athlete at an international tournament in Assen, Netherlands. Only twelve teams participated in the first edition; over the years, Summer Volley has grown to host over one hundred teams and has attracted participants from more than twenty countries worldwide. Today, it is a landmark event in the summer volleyball calendar, guided by its motto, "#enjoy the dream".

Categories and playing venues

Summer Volley is dedicated to youth sports and covers a wide range of categories:

• Girls: Under 12, Under 13, Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18
• Boys: Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, and Under 19

Matches are played on numerous courts set up across the participating towns: in addition to Acqui Terme, venues typically include Canelli, Nizza Monferrato, Bistagno, and Santo Stefano Belbo, located in a territory straddling Piedmont and the hills of Monferrato and the Langhe.

More than just matches: parades, shows, and dance parties

Alongside the competition, Summer Volley offers its most beloved traditions. The opening parade winds through the city center, gathering all the teams, while the Spike Game Show—a spectacular spiking competition—and the SV Dance Party for participants liven up the main evening, turning the tournament into a true group experience. It is this blend of sport and fun that makes Summer Volley an eagerly awaited event throughout the youth volleyball world.

Acqui Terme: The host city

The setting is Acqui Terme, a renowned spa town in Monferrato, famous for its "Bollente" hot spring and its rich historical and artistic heritage. During the tournament, the city pulses with energy, with teams moving about, lively evenings in the squares, and the enthusiasm of thousands of young people: a perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Piedmont by combining sport with local exploration.