Tournament Announcement
Udinese have officially announced they will host a new pre-season tournament, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup, on August 8 at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine. The competition will feature European giants Barcelona and Premier League side Nottingham Forest, alongside the hosts.
Format and Schedule
The unique format will consist of three 45-minute matches, with each team playing two games in one evening. The action begins at 20:00 local time (19:00 UK) with Udinese taking on Nottingham Forest. Barcelona will then face Forest in the second contest, before the hosts meet Barça in the final match. If any game is tied at the end of regulation, it is understood that a pre-determined tiebreaker will be used, though specifics haven’t been detailed.
Key Tournament Details
Date: August 8, 2026
Venue: Bluenergy Stadium, Udine
Participants: Udinese, Barcelona, Nottingham Forest
Format: Three 45-minute round-robin matches
Historic Venue
The Bluenergy Stadium, one of Italy’s most modern football arenas, is no stranger to high-profile events. It hosted the 2025 UEFA Super Cup and previously welcomed Barcelona for a Champions League group-stage clash against Udinese in December 2005. This will be the first-ever visit for Nottingham Forest to the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.
The tournament marks Udinese’s ambitious step to bring elite competition to their home ground during the pre-season period, offering local fans a rare chance to see top-tier international clubs in action. Full ticketing details are expected to be released soon via the club’s official channels.
Source: Football Italia
