Val di Fassa Kids Festival

A youth football tournament in the Dolomites

The Val di Fassa Kids Festival is one of the most well-established international youth football tournaments in the Alps. Every year, in early June, it draws dozens of teams and hundreds of children from the grassroots football categories—Primi Calci, Pulcini, and Esordienti—to Canazei and the entire Val di Fassa, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). The event combines the competitive spirit of the youngsters with a mountain getaway, turning a sports weekend into a true holiday for families in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.

Categories and format

The tournament is reserved for male youth categories, from Primi Calci to Esordienti, with teams divided by birth year. Every team is guaranteed a minimum number of matches throughout the event, ensuring every child gets plenty of time on the pitch. Matches are played in formats suited to the age groups: five-a-side, seven-a-side, and nine-a-side, all within a festive atmosphere that prioritizes fun and athletic development over the final score.

The pitches: Vigo di Fassa and Moena

Matches are held at high-quality local sports facilities. The hub of the tournament is the Vigo di Fassa Sports Centre, featuring three state-of-the-art synthetic pitches, complemented by the Moena Sports Centre, famous for historically hosting Serie A summer training camps. Playing on these fields, framed by the peaks of the Catinaccio and Sella massifs, is an unforgettable experience for young footballers.

The opening ceremony in Canazei

The most solemn moment is the opening ceremony, hosted at the Grande Teatro of the Hotel Caminetto in Canazei. The parade of all participating teams, the presentation of the squads, the young athletes' oath, and the national anthems officially kick off the tournament, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of major international sporting events.

Sport and holidays in Val di Fassa

The strength of the Val di Fassa Kids Festival lies in the perfect blend of sport and tourism. Teams stay in valley hotels, lunches are organized at the Fassa Park, and the program leaves room for exploring the area. Organized in collaboration with the municipalities of Val di Fassa, the tournament has become a highly anticipated annual appointment for clubs from all over Italy and beyond, helping to promote Canazei and the Val di Fassa as a premier destination for youth sports tourism.