Lombardy makes it two in a row with Trofeo CONI 2026 triumph. Celebrations in Castellaneta as Lazio takes over as host for 2027
Lombardy has won the Trofeo CONI for the second consecutive year. The result of two days of competition in Puglia was announced during the closing ceremony at the Stadio Comunale Giovanni De Bellis in Castellaneta.
The 11th summer edition of Italy’s largest multi-sport event for under-14 athletes has thus drawn to a close, having brought approximately 4,500 athletes and coaches from across the country to Puglia, alongside delegations from Italian Communities Abroad in Australia, Brazil, Venezuela, the United States and Switzerland and, for the first time, Paralympic athletes from FISDIR and FISPES.
The ceremony (photos by Mattia Martegani and Andrea Masini/CONI) opened with the Italian national anthem, Il Canto degli Italiani, followed by addresses from institutional representatives. “Welcoming 4,500 participants has been a source of immense pride. We have witnessed commitment, passion and courage, as well as togetherness, friendship and people coming together. For Castellaneta, it has also been an important opportunity to promote tourism. A national showcase combining sport with a culture of hospitality. We hope you will take home wonderful memories of this land,” said Castellaneta Mayor Giambattista Di Pippa.
“This marks the conclusion of an extraordinary experience for Puglia. We are particularly proud to have hosted you. Personal growth, sacrifice, commitment and smiles have made the difference. The Trofeo CONI reminds us of the true meaning of sport. Sport must unite people and build communities. That mission has been accomplished,” added Annagrazia Angolano, Regional Councillor and Chair of the Puglia Regional Council’s Sixth Committee.
Angelo Giliberto, President of CONI’s Puglia Regional Committee, addressed the young athletes: “As we said, we have reached the closing credits. You are the strength of your regions, together with your regional presidents. You are the future of Italian sport, and I need say no more. On my way here, quite a few people asked me: ‘Are you happy?’ Yes. ‘Did everything go well?’ No. Why? Because there is always something that does not go well. And it is from these mistakes that we want to start, so that we can improve. There is no such thing as a perfect event. And with approximately 4,500 athletes and coaches, it is even more difficult. It is wonderful, wonderful to see you all. I am absolutely delighted, but I am never satisfied. You are the ones who must do more, because you are also the citizens of tomorrow. This is where it begins, where the journey starts. The wonderful thing is that, from this year onwards, we already have Lazio preparing to organise next year’s edition and Liguria in 2028. So we have established a pathway. Allow me to thank the Mayor of Castellaneta and the mayors who enabled us to support this event. There have been many firsts at this edition. The first time the CIP has joined us, and nobody even noticed, because that is what true inclusion means: they are here with us. And then there is sustainability: we are leaving no debt to those who come after us”.
The Fair Play Awards were then presented to Emilia-Romagna archer Sofia Bianchini and Lombardy’s FISPES Paralympic athlete Francesco Salah Sami.
The podium positions in the Regional Committee standings were announced by Cecilia D’Angelo, CONI’s Director of Territorial Affairs, Sport and Social Activities: “You have been welcoming and warm-hearted here in this region, as well as extremely, extremely professional. So thank you, Puglia. Thank you to everyone at CONI, both nationally and regionally, who organised this event. Thank you to all the colleagues who took part. Thank you to the Sports Science departments at the University of Bari and the University of Rome Foro Italico, which provided the young men and women who were trained to help us deliver this event in the best possible way. Thank you to the Sports Federations. Thank you to the CONI Regional Committees from across Italy and their presidents, who accompanied their delegations here. Thank you to Givova, who provided our clothing, and thank you to Ferrovie dello Stato and Busitalia, who brought us here. Thank you to the delegates of the Italian communities abroad, who brought so many young people here with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thank you to everyone, because we have demonstrated another important rule of fair play: that nobody gets anywhere alone, but that we win together. And these values, which are the Olympic values, the values of fair play, are values that we adults must remember and safeguard. Because the boys and girls who have competed over the past few days, and whom I have watched in action, have been the finest examples of fair play. Because you have all been outstanding and wonderful”.
Lazio finished third with 106 points, Emilia-Romagna took second place with 108, while the top step of the podium went to Lombardy with 112 points. Led by CONI Regional Committee President and National Board member Marco Riva, Lombardy thus repeated its 2025 triumph. In the overall standings, the battle for 12th place between Liguria and Calabria was settled in favour of Liguria on the basis of a greater number of second-place finishes.
Following the traditional winners’ photographs, Angelo Giliberto handed over the baton to Alessandro Cochi, President of CONI’s Lazio Regional Committee, and Elena Palazzo, Lazio Regional Councillor for Tourism, Environment, Sport, Climate Change, Energy Transition and Sustainability, as Lazio prepares to host the 12th summer edition of the event in 2027.
“Thank you for the energy you have given us” said Cochi.
“These have been days filled with great emotion. Through CONI, we will continue to develop this extraordinary sporting event and help it grow even further. We look forward to welcoming you to Lazio next year” said Palazzo.
With the cauldron extinguished, the curtain has fallen on the Trofeo CONI in Puglia. The next stop is Rome in 2027.
Trofeo CONI: in Puglia la Lombardia agguanta il secondo successo consecutivo
