Torneo Appio - Maria Pinzuti Memorial
The volleyball tournament blending sport and charity in Rome's San Paolo district
About Torneo Appio
A historic tournament in Roman volleyball
The Torneo Appio - Maria Pinzuti Memorial is one of the most long-standing and anticipated fixtures in the Roman volleyball calendar. Launched in 1978 as an all-female quadrangular tournament, it has grown with every edition, eventually welcoming men's teams and becoming a true institution for the local sporting movement. Promoted by Appio Roma Pallavolo (a club founded in 1977 in what is now the VII Municipality) in partnership with Roma Centro, the tournament takes place annually between May and June in the San Paolo district of Rome, within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region.
Sport and solidarity in memory of Maria Pinzuti
Since 2000, the Torneo Appio has added a strong charitable dimension to its sporting roots: the event is dedicated to the memory of Maria Pinzuti, the first president of Appio Roma Pallavolo, who passed away from leukemia. Since then, registration proceeds have been donated to associations and facilities involved in medical and social assistance and the fight against blood diseases. The tournament also honors Franco Favretto, a historic figure in Roman volleyball and president of the FIPAV Rome Committee from 1997 to 2009. It is this combination of competitive spirit and generosity that makes the event so beloved by local clubs.
Categories and format
The tournament is divided into several categories, both men's and women's:
- Eccellenza M/F: reserved for teams competing in the B, C, and D series championships;
- Provinciale M/F: open to teams competing in provincial championships.
Teams first compete in a long group stage, which spans several weeks, before advancing to the final brackets of their respective categories. The event is held under the patronage of the FIPAV Lazio Regional Committee and the FIPAV Rome Territorial Committee.
The finals at Oratorio San Paolo
The highlight is the finals day, hosted at the Oratorio San Paolo courts, where the four titles for the Eccellenza and Provinciale categories are awarded. It is a celebratory day that concludes weeks of matches and includes an awards ceremony recognizing the MVPs of each category, fostering a spirit of healthy competition and shared values.
Rome and the San Paolo district
The event is set in the San Paolo / Ostiense district, at the heart of the local sporting scene. Deeply rooted in the community of Rome, the Torneo Appio is a concrete example of how grassroots sport can become a catalyst for social cohesion, youth development, and support for those in need.
Torneo Appio — edition 2026
The 46th edition
The 46th edition of the Torneo Appio - Maria Pinzuti Memorial opened on May 18, 2026, with the initial group stage and concluded on Saturday, June 20, 2026, with the finals day at the Oratorio San Paolo. Four finals were played across the Eccellenza and Provinciale categories for both men and women, with decisive results in the Eccellenza brackets and tie-break thrillers in the Provinciale. As per tradition, a portion of the funds raised was donated to charitable initiatives.
Programme Torneo Appio 2026
Format
Group stage starting May 18, 2026, with advancement to the final brackets for Eccellenza M/F and Provinciale M/F categories. The closing day featured the four finals on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Oratorio San Paolo courts, followed by the awards ceremony and the presentation of MVP honors.
2026 Winners
- Women's Eccellenza: Volley Tuscolano (MVP Giorgia Candolfini);
- Men's Eccellenza: Roma 7 Volley Bianca (MVP Poey Romero);
- Women's Provinciale: Spes Mentana (MVP Sofia Mattiangeli);
- Men's Provinciale: LDM Sarra (MVP Jacopo Dell'Orso).
Highlights Torneo Appio 2026
- The four category finals at Oratorio San Paolo on June 20, 2026;
- The charitable focus: funds donated to social activities and the fight against leukemia;
- The MVP awards ceremony for Eccellenza and Provinciale categories.
Prices Torneo Appio 2026
Practical information — Torneo Appio
Location
The finals are held at the Oratorio San Paolo courts, in the San Paolo / Ostiense district of Rome. The group stage takes place at various facilities across the city.
Getting there
The San Paolo area is served by the Metro Line B (Basilica San Paolo stop) and several bus lines. By car, it can be reached via Via Ostiense.
Admission
Public admission to the matches is free. Registration is reserved for FIPAV-affiliated volleyball clubs; a portion of the fees is donated to charity.
Information
Details, regulations, and the schedule are published by the FIPAV Rome Territorial Committee and the organizers of Appio Roma Pallavolo.
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Where does it take place — Torneo Appio
Oratorio San Paolo