One of Northern Ontario’s favourite soccer tournaments returns to the pitch July 4, 5 and 6. Coppa Giovanni is a World Cup-style event and a celebration of local soccer. It’s back for the third time, with close to $10,000 in prizes up for grabs this year.
Teams will compete in five divisions, with a men’s 16+ division, men’s 35+ division, men’s 45+ division, women’s 35+ division and women’s 16+ division. $3,000 first prizes will be awarded for the winning teams in the men’s 16+, men’s 35+ and women’s 35+ open divisions.
Games will take place July 4, 5 and 6 at Strathclair Sports Complex, with the final games happening July 6. With teams registered from Sudbury, Timmins, Thunder Bay, the Soo and even Southern Ontario, it promises to be a full weekend of competitive soccer.
Coppa Giovanni is fun for the whole family
Saturday, July 5 looks to be an action-packed day, with a full slate of tournament games, as well as off-field activities like a beer tent, bouncy castles, live entertainment, soccer bubble ball, face painting and food vendors.
Last year’s tournament had over 225 participants join in across all the divisions, and over 1,000 spectators attend the three-day tournament. It’s a great way to get out and support some of your local soccer clubs and enjoy some family-friendly activities after the games.
Coppa Giovanni offers most of its activities free of charge, but donations are welcome to support the Soup Kitchen Community Centre. Last year, the Coppa Giovanni raised $5,000 for the Soup Kitchen, and this year, they’re hoping to exceed that goal to help even more people in the community.
It’s an action-packed weekend in the Soo July 4, 5 and 6
The tournament finals on Sunday July 6 also coincide with Giovanni’s Italian Festival. Coppa Giovanni attendees can enjoy the championship games, then head down to the waterfront for plenty of Italian culture, food and music.
The Coppa Giovanni is in honour of Tony Celli, a longtime pillar in the Sault Ste. Marie soccer community. He was an advocate for local soccer programs in the Soo for over 40 years, so this tournament is a tribute to Celli’s passion for the game.
Events like this wouldn’t be possible without the generous support from local sponsors. This year’s Coppa Giovanni sponsors include Carpet One, Viacor, City Meat Market, TWIN Contracting, Youngs Insurance, Rainone Construction, Kaptive Studios, Giovanni’s, Burger Don, Fratelli’s, PUC, SK Group, the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Soup Kitchen, Soo Falls and Northern Brewery.
How to register for the Coppa Giovanni soccer tournament
Don’t miss Coppa Giovanni in Sault Ste. Marie, July 4, 5 and 6.
Teams looking to register for Coppa Giovanni can still enter at CoppaGiovanni.com.
For spectators, there is no cost for admission to the games at Strathclair Sports Complex, but donations to Soup Kitchen Community Centre are welcome and greatly appreciated.