It is finally time to rise the curtains on the World Pétanque Championship, organized by the Italian Bocce Federation, thanks to the support of the Ministry of Sport, to the Lazio Region, of the City of Rome, FIB’s sponsor We Build, Macron, Allianz and Cogeca and, especially, thanks to the collaboration of Ama S.p.A and Trenitalia. The international kermesse officially started today in the Galoppatoio Area at Villa Borghese, suggestive framework steeped in history, with the initial ceremony and the first elimination rounds and it will end with the award ceremony on Sunday 21 September. The Italian delegation for the “World Pétanque Championship of Rome 2025” is composed by technical commissaries Mosé Nassa and Riccardo Capaccioni with the cooperation of assistant Laura Trova and Gianluca Rattenni, and by athletes Diego Rizzi, Alessio Cocciolo, Vanessa Romeo e Sara Ferrera (team n1) and by Andrea Chiapello, Davide Laforé, Alessia Bottero and Sara Dedominici (team n2) hunting the five titles at stake. The Ministry of Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, Assessor for Major Events, Tourism and Fashion Alessandro Onorato, CONI’s President Luciano Buonfiglio, CIP’s President Marco Giunio De Sanctis, FIPJP’s President and World Pétanque Bowls Federation Claude Azema, FIB’s President Roberto Favre, Head Department of Sport Flavio Siniscalchi, Regional Director of Lazio Region Paolo Giuntarelli.

“This event has a sporting relevance in the universal language of Pétanque, which in Italy is part of the big family of the Italian Bocce Federation. I wish President Favre a good job, thanks to Marco Giunio De Sanctis for strongly wanting this World Championship. Rome is a wonderful city that always hosts big events and once again Italy is at the center of the world, which is not in a peaceful condition, is unstable and the goal of sport is to promote the dialogue, competition, but at the same time the confrontation and the respect as a universal value” declared Andrea Abodi.

“First and foremost I wish to say thanks to the institution that made this event possible: the Ministry of Sport, the Ministry of Environment, Lazio Region and the City of Rome, who believed in the importance of an event capable of combining tradition, sporting passion and attention to the territory. A heartfelt applause to the sporting institutions: to the current CIP’s President Marco Giunio de Sanctis, that for eight years has been the President of our Federation, for the valuable work done in favour of discipline, and to the CONI’s President Luciano Buonfiglio, for the support and closeness, which has never been missing. This Championship represents not only an extraordinary sporting occasion, but also a moment of encounter between cultures, people and generations. Pétanque, with its elegance and its universality, reminds us that sport is a dialogue, is respect and friendship. To the athletes, to technicians and to all the participating delegation I wish you my warmest wishes: may you experience unforgettable days, full emotions and sporting passion. Rome welcomes you with pride and with the warmth you deserve” declared Roberto Favre.

“It is a tremendous honor and privilege participating in the inauguration of this important World Championship. A big appreciation to the Minister and all the  participant authorities, especially the President De Sanctis which committed himself in making the sport of bocce one of the most famous sports in Italy and around the world” declared Luciano Buonfiglio.

“After more than thirty years, the Pétanque World Championship is back in Italy and we are more than happy to host them here in Rome, in a unique location such as Villa Borghese. After the approval for the requalification project of the indoor bocce court of Torrino Federation, it is another step to support this sport and its members. For five days, 204 athletes and all delegations, coming from fifty nations, will be in the Eternal City and will animate an open and free to the public manifestation. For all of them it will be a special occasion to compete here in Rome, which will confirm itself as the Capitol of the major events, important events because they generate economics, tourism and employment impacts” declared Alessandro Onorato.

PETANQUE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON TV AND STREAMING - The fans will be able to stream the all event, free of all charges, even the training and award ceremonies. Thursday 18 September’s schedule: start of competitions and opening ceremony; Friday 19 September: qualifier competitions; Saturday 20 September round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals; Sunday 21 September: five finals and closing ceremony.

For the long-awaited event is expected a live stream on web-tv of the Italian Bocce Federation www.topbocce.live. Furthermore, a live broadcast on RaiPlay sport is scheduled for Sunday's finals.