Verdian Olympics
Four days of games, sports, music, and solidarity in Busseto
About Verdian Olympics
The Verdian Olympics, the festival that stops Busseto
For four days in June, the Municipality of Busseto, in the province of Parma and in the heart of the Bassa Parmense in Emilia-Romagna, experiences what the locals simply call "that week there". The Verdian Olympics are a large non-competitive sporting-recreational-musical event, open to all ages and strongly inclusive, which attracts thousands of participants, including from outside the province, and mobilizes the entire city around fun, respect, and team spirit.
Over 25 disciplines between sports and traditional games
The heart of the event is the teams, formed by a maximum of twenty people, who compete in over 25 different disciplines. Light sports and traditional popular Emilian games alternate, accessible to truly anyone:
- card games like scopa and scopa 15;
- skill games like marbles, table football, and archery;
- classic disciplines like bocce and chess;
- social moments like ballroom dancing, a true institution of Emilian culture.
The scores from individual events and bonuses are added to a single overall ranking: in Busseto, however, the spirit that counts is participation, not competition.
OV Junior: even the little ones take the field
Alongside the main competition, the Verdian Olympics dedicate a space entirely designed for children with OV Junior, reserved for those born between 2013 and 2019. Between group games by age group, mixed team challenges, and final awards, the little ones experience their version of the big festival, followed by dedicated chaperones.
Evenings at Villa Pallavicino
When evening falls, the historic Villa Pallavicino and the historic center of Busseto are transformed: the OV Late Music Show brings DJ sets, live music, video mapping, and shows that liven up the squares until late at night. It is the moment when sport and celebration merge, and when the birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi becomes one of the main meeting points of the Emilian summer.
A festival of community and solidarity
The Verdian Olympics would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers and the numerous local associations that collaborate in the organization. The event, promoted by the association Olimpiadi Verdiane APS, also has a strong solidarity focus: in past editions, the proceeds have been allocated to the Municipality for the redevelopment of public spaces and other charitable projects. An event that tells of the generosity and sense of community of the Bassa Parmense.
Verdian Olympics — edition 2026
Verdian Olympics 2026: The 12th Edition
From June 11th to 14th, 2026, Busseto hosts the twelfth edition of the Verdian Olympics, confirming the format that has made the event famous: over 25 disciplines between light sports and traditional games, teams of up to 20 participants, the OV Junior space for children, and musical evenings at Villa Pallavicino.
Daily Schedule
- Thursday, June 11th: 6:30 PM–11:30 PM
- Friday, June 12th: 4:00 PM–11:30 PM
- Saturday, June 13th: 8:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Sunday, June 14th: 8:30 AM–9:00 PM
OV Junior
Reserved for those born between 2013 and 2019, OV Junior takes place on Friday afternoon (2:30 PM–6:30 PM), Saturday (8:30 AM–6:30 PM), and Sunday morning (8:30 AM–12:30 PM), with group games, mixed team disciplines, and final awards.
The complete regulations for the disciplines and details of the OV Late Music Show will be published in the weeks preceding the event on the official channels and the Verdian Olympics app.
Programme Verdian Olympics 2026
2026 Program
Four days of competitions and celebration in Busseto:
- Thursday, June 11th (6:30 PM–11:30 PM): Opening and first events.
- Friday, June 12th (4:00 PM–11:30 PM): Disciplines, OV Junior from the afternoon, and musical evening.
- Saturday, June 13th (8:30 AM–11:30 PM): Full day of competitions, OV Junior, and OV Late Music Show at Villa Pallavicino.
- Sunday, June 14th (8:30 AM–9:00 PM): Final events, OV Junior awards, and final standings.
Teams compete in over 25 disciplines including bocce, scopa, marbles, table football, chess, archery, and ballroom dancing.
Highlights Verdian Olympics 2026
- 12th edition, from June 11th to 14th, 2026
- Over 25 disciplines of sports and traditional games
- OV Junior for children born from 2013 to 2019
- Musical evenings and video mapping at Villa Pallavicino
- Non-competitive, inclusive, and solidarity-focused event
Prices Verdian Olympics 2026
Practical information — Verdian Olympics
Where it takes place
The Verdian Olympics are held in Busseto (PR), in Emilia-Romagna, with the main venue at Villa Pallavicino and in the town's historic center.
How to get there
By car: Busseto is reachable from the A1 motorway (Fidenza exit) or the A21 (Cremona/Castelvetro exit). By train: Busseto station on the Parma–Cremona–Brescia line, or Fidenza station with onward bus connection.
Participation and registration
Registration for adult teams (maximum 20 participants) involves an association fee that includes t-shirts and reusable cups. OV Junior, reserved for children born between 2013 and 2019, has an individual fee that includes a t-shirt, cap, snack, and insurance. Admission to the event areas and musical evenings is free for the public. All details and forms are on the official website and the dedicated app.
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Where does it take place — Verdian Olympics
Villa Pallavicino e centro storico