Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup brings Barcelona and Nottingham Forest to Udine
The first edition of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup will be staged at Udine’s Bluenergy Stadium on 8 August 2026. Three 45‑minute matches will see host Udinese face Spanish champions Barcelona and English club Nottingham Forest, with a points system that awards two points for a penalty‑shootout win and three for a regular‑time victory.
The tournament is a joint initiative of the Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia and Udinese Calcio, intended to promote the region’s tourism and cultural assets. Governor Massimiliano Fedriga said the event “offers a high‑profile sporting showcase that unites sport, tourism and the promotion of our territory.” Barcelona return to Udine after nearly twenty years since their 2005 Champions League clash, while Nottingham Forest make their debut in the city.
Organisers highlighted the cup’s role in attracting international visitors and reinforcing Udine’s reputation as a venue for top‑level sport, with expectations of media exposure across Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.