STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
With teams and authorities in attendance, the event was unveiled to the local press at the Matteo Valenti Beach Stadium
The final countdown to the Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal Viareggio 2026 is underway, with the event officially presented to the local press at the Matteo Valenti Beach Stadium.
Among the authorities present were Sara Grilli, Sindaca del Commune di Viareggio; Gabino Renales, Vice President of Beach Soccer Worldwide; Ferdinando Arcopinto, Head of Delegation of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC); Massimo Moretti, President of Viareggio Beach Soccer; and Stefano Santini, Director of Viareggio Beach Soccer.
Gabino Renales said:
“Thank you to Viareggio for the support it shows us every time. We are delighted to return, and we hope that more events of this level can be hosted here in the future. The construction of a permanent stadium would provide a further boost to the growth of the sport. We have six days of great entertainment ahead of us, with the best European beach soccer players ready to compete on the sand, as well as the usual and highly anticipated beach soccer clinic organised by The Beach Soccer Foundation.”
Sara Grilli commented:
“If Viareggio has become a reference point for beach soccer, it is thanks to the collaboration between so many different organisations. A sport like this has a strong social value, represents a resource for the local area and is closely linked to tourism. Events of this level help extend the tourist season, support local businesses and take the name of the city around the world. The aim is to make the facility permanent and turn this opportunity into one of Viareggio’s distinctive features.”
Ferdinando Arcopinto said:
“We have done a great deal of work, both from an organisational perspective and on the field. The path we have embarked on towards creating a permanent beach stadium is ambitious and would be unique at a global level. A facility of this kind would allow us to further expand the calendar with new high-profile events.”
Massimo Moretti said:
“We are delighted and proud to host a European competition once again. Our club places great importance on young people, as demonstrated by our commitment to investing in the next generations. I would like to thank the Municipality, the Tuscany Region and the Minister for Sport and Youth, with whom we have embarked on an important journey this year.”
Stefano Santini added:
“Viareggio is once again proving itself to be a reference point for international beach soccer. Being selected among the destinations capable of hosting major events is a source of pride and shows that, beyond the size of the facility, what matters most is the quality of the work being carried out. There are many people behind this event, united by their passion and their desire to do things well. We started 21 years ago with nothing more than simple barriers around the pitch, in memory of Matteo Valenti. Today, seeing this stadium at dawn, completely set up, moved me deeply: it is the most beautiful tribute we have ever given Matteo. Everything else comes afterwards.”
A total of 18 teams will compete on the sands of Viareggio.
In the women’s competition, six teams will be divided into two groups of three, with the top two sides in each group progressing to the semi-finals, where they will battle for a place in the Superfinal, with Portugal looking to retain the trophy they won last year. Group A features hosts Italy alongside Spain and Poland, while Group B comprises Switzerland, Portugal and Ukraine.
In the men’s competition, the eight best sides from the Regular Phase will be divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the winners meeting in the Superfinal, where hosts Italy will defend their 2025 title. Group A consists of Italy, Denmark, Germany and Moldova, while Group B features Spain, Portugal, Belarus and Switzerland.
Alongside the main competition, four men’s sides will compete in the relegation play-off, which will be played in a round-robin format, with the bottom two teams being relegated to Division B for 2027.
The men’s action kicks off this Tuesday, 8 September, while the women’s tournament gets underway on Wednesday, with both Superfinals taking place on Sunday.
The full match schedule can be checked in the following link:
