Summer Volley (Bistagno venue)
International youth volleyball comes to Bistagno
About Summer Volley
Summer Volley comes to Bistagno
Summer Volley is one of Italy's most important international youth volleyball tournaments, transforming the Acqui Terme and Monferrato regions into a massive sports village every mid-June. Among the host towns is Bistagno, a charming village in the Province of Alessandria, Piedmont, nestled in the Bormida Valley. For three days, the local courts welcome young athletes, coaches, families, and fans, making Bistagno a key stage for an event that blends competition, cultural exchange, and celebration.
A tournament born nearly thirty years ago
The event was founded in 1997 by Ivano Marenco, inspired by his experience as an athlete at an international tournament in Assen, Netherlands. From the twelve teams of the first edition, Summer Volley has grown to host over one hundred squads, attracting participants from dozens of countries worldwide. Today, it is a staple of the summer volleyball calendar, guided by its motto, "#enjoy the dream".
Five towns, one big celebration
Summer Volley is not confined to a single location: matches are spread across numerous courts set up in five municipalities of the Acqui Terme and Monferrato area. In addition to Acqui Terme, the tournament's headquarters, host venues include Canelli, Nizza Monferrato, Bistagno, and Santo Stefano Belbo, in a territory straddling the hills of Monferrato and the Langhe. Bistagno is an integral part of this network of facilities, helping to host the numerous youth categories in competition.
Categories on the court
The tournament is entirely 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 fill the courts of the five venues from morning to night, creating a vibrant movement of teams between the different towns.
More than just matches: parades, shows, and awards
Alongside the games, Summer Volley offers its most beloved traditions. The opening parade gathers all teams in the center of Acqui Terme, while the Spike Game Show—a spectacular spiking competition—and the SV Dance Party for participants liven up the main evening. The finals and award ceremonies conclude the event on Sunday. This blend of sport and entertainment makes Summer Volley a highly anticipated event in the youth volleyball world, with Bistagno playing a starring role as a host municipality.
Summer Volley — edition 2026
The 27th edition of Summer Volley takes place from June 12 to 14, 2026, in Acqui Terme and neighboring municipalities, including Bistagno, with 86 teams from five nations competing across fifteen match courts.
General tournament schedule:
- Friday, June 12: qualifying matches from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; in the evening, at 9:30 PM, the traditional opening parade in the new Piazza del Brentau, in front of the Acqui Terme Congress Center.
- Saturday, June 13: second phase of matches from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM; in the evening, the Spike Game Show (spiking competition) and the SV Dance Party for participants at the Mombarone Sports Center.
- Sunday, June 14: finals for all categories starting at 9:00 AM; award ceremony in the afternoon at the Mombarone Sports Center in Acqui Terme.
Competing categories include girls' Under 12, 13, 14, 16, and 18, and boys' Under 13, 15, 17, and 19. The Bistagno courts will host some of these matches throughout the tournament.
Programme Summer Volley 2026
- Friday, June 12: qualifying matches (9:00 AM-6:00 PM) at the five venues, including Bistagno; opening parade in Piazza del Brentau, Acqui Terme (9:30 PM).
- Saturday, June 13: second phase matches (9:00 AM-6:30 PM); Spike Game Show and SV Dance Party for participants at the Mombarone Sports Center.
- Sunday, June 14: finals for all categories (from 9:00 AM); award ceremony at the Mombarone Sports Center in Acqui Terme (afternoon).
Highlights Summer Volley 2026
Prices Summer Volley 2026
Practical information — Summer Volley
Getting there
Bistagno is located in the Bormida Valley, in the Province of Alessandria, just a few kilometers from Acqui Terme. It is accessible by car via the state road to Acqui Terme and Savona; the Bistagno train station is served by the Acqui Terme-Savona line. The nearest airports are Genoa and Turin Caselle.
Match venues
Summer Volley matches take place on numerous courts distributed across five municipalities: Acqui Terme (headquarters, site of finals and award ceremonies at the Mombarone Sports Center), Canelli, Nizza Monferrato, Bistagno, and Santo Stefano Belbo.
Registration and contacts
Participation is reserved for registered youth teams. For information and registration: tel. +39 344 4607758, email [email protected], website www.summervolley.eu. For local tourist information: IAT Acqui Terme, tel. +39 0144 322142.
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