Four of Italy’s most accomplished teams, have all finally made their way down under for a pre-season tournament to be played across one week in August, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Palermo will contest the inaugural Calcio Italiano tournament, from August 5-11 at Perth Stadium, Burswood and Perth Rectangular Stadium, North Perth.
Giving local supporters a rare opportunity to watch their beloved clubs in person without travelling halfway around the world.
The competition begins with the Milan Derby on August 5 before Juventus meets Inter on August 8. The tournament concludes at HBF Park on August 11, where Palermo will face Juventus in front of what is expected to be a passionate crowd.
For lifelong Juventus supporter Jono Luglio, the tournament is far more than just a pre-season competition.
“My dad, my nonno, and probably my nonno’s nonno have all been Juventus fans my whole life,” he said.
“Being able to watch them play in my own city is something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.”
Luglio will be among thousands attending the club’s open training sessions before cheering on the Bianconeri against Palermo, sharing an experience that until now has largely beenreserved for those able to travel to Europe.
The tournament continues Perth’s emergence as a destination for elite international football.
Since 2018, Premier League clubs including Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United, West Ham, Leeds United and Aston Villa have all chosen the city for pre-season tours, helping establish Western Australia as an attractive stop on the global football calendar.
WA Premier Roger Cook shared the same sentiment in a media release.
“WA has become a home for major international football events, and hosting next week’s Calcio Italiano blockbusters adds to Western Australia’s momentum as the fastest-growing events destination in the South-East Asia region,” he said.
While attracting international clubs boosts tourism and the local economy, the tournament also offers something less tangible: the chance for generations of migrant families and lifelong supporters to reconnect with the clubs that have shaped their identity, while introducing a new generation of Australians to Italian football.
While it is commonplace for elite European teams to bring over primarily academy and reserves players, fans this year should expect to see significantly more individual firepower than previous pre-season tours.
Former FIFA World Cup player of the tournament and Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric is the cream of the crop this tournament, currently playing his trade with AC Milan. Teammates Rafael Leao and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have also made the journey over.
Juventus have brought over Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz, who faced Australia earlier in the World Cup for the USA and Turkey, respectively.
The football extends well beyond the stadiums.
Inter Milan has transformed Brookfield Place into it’s official fan hub, hosting player appearances, trophy displays and pre match celebrations throughout the tournament.
Juventus supporters have taken over Northbridge’s iconic Ice Cream Factory, while Palermo has established its home at Gage Roads Brewery in Fremantle, where Sicilian food, music and culture will accompany the club’s first-ever Australian tour.
Western Australia’s Deputy Premier and Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti said the event gives locals the opportunity to experience some of football’s greatest rivalries without leaving home.
“This will give Western Australians the rare chance to experience these iconic Italian football rivalries in our own backyard, creating unforgettable moments and deepening the connection between our community and the sport.”
For one week, Perth won’t simply be hosting a football tournament. It will become a little piece of Italy, where generations of family traditions, fierce rivalries and lifelong loyalties collide thousands of kilometres from home.
Xander Vinci
Xander Vinci is a second-year student studying a Bachelor of Journalism and Broadcast Media at Edith Cowan University. He entered the writing, reporting and presenting field after falling in love with storytelling from a primary school age. Born and raised in Perth, his work covers a range of local topics, namely sports and politics. He was featured as one of the first writers for inaugural edition of "The Debrief", a collaboration between The West Australian and ECU students.
