The Winners Cup 2025 returns to Milan for its sixth edition, once again transforming football into a symbol of resilience, inclusion, and hope for young cancer patients and survivors. What makes this event extraordinary is that it is not only a sports tournament, but also a gathering of families, medical teams, and pediatric oncology centers united by one shared goal: to show that life after cancer can be full of strength, friendship, and possibility.
📍 Milan, September 26–28, 2025
A Growing International Project
Since its launch in 2017, the Winners Cup has grown from a national initiative into a truly international event. This year, the tournament will welcome around 200 young participants, organized into 16 teams and supported by more than 30 pediatric oncology centers across Italy and Europe. These children and adolescents, some still in treatment and others recently completing therapy, will take to the field not simply as players, but as living proof of what it means to be champions in life.
More Than Competition
The tournament is not only about scoring goals or winning matches. At its core, the Winners Cup uses football as a tool for social inclusion and emotional support, helping young patients reconnect with their peers, rediscover joy, and build confidence. It also raises awareness about the specific challenges faced by adolescents with cancer and emphasizes the importance of providing adequate medical care, psychosocial support, and resources during this critical stage of development.
Football becomes a universal language of solidarity, creating a space where courage and friendship matter more than results on the scoreboard. For many of the participants, stepping onto the pitch is already a personal victory.
Voices From the Field
In an accompanying video, Professor Andrea Ferrari, one of the founders of the Winners Cup, shares why this initiative is such a powerful opportunity for patients, families, and the global oncology community. His message underlines the idea that the event is not just a tournament, but a platform where young people can show the world their resilience and strength.
A Celebration of Champions
Every participant who enters the pitch embodies courage, perseverance, and the power of hope. By honoring them, the Winners Cup 2025 reminds us all that cancer survivorship is not only about medical outcomes, but about life, friendship, and the freedom to dream.
Highlights of the Event
The 2025 edition will unfold over three days in Milan:
- Friday, September 26 will mark the welcoming of teams and the opening evening.
- Saturday, September 27 will be the heart of the event, with a full day of matches followed by a celebratory evening.
- Sunday, September 28 will conclude the Winners Cup, closing three days of sport, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
A celebration of Sports, Strength, and Solidarity for Pediatric Oncology Patients – AIEOP
