National Sports Day

Established by the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers with the directive of 27 November 2003, the National Sports Day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday of June throughout Italy. Since 2018 the celebration has crossed the border: the first edition abroad was held in Zurich, at the Sihlhölzli Stadium, organised by the Swiss delegation of CONI.

It is a day open to everyone, children, teenagers and adults of Italian origin living in Switzerland and in neighbouring countries: athletics events, free trials, displays by sports clubs and festive moments for the families of the Italian community. No licence is required, just trainers and the will to give it a go.

The slogan of the 2026 edition, “From play to the Games”, sums up the spirit of the event: from the first game in the yard to the Olympic dream, sport accompanies growing up, teaches respect for the rules and builds ties between generations and between countries.

As President Sergio Mattarella put it, “those who commit to sport and spread it help the Country”: this is the thread running through every edition, in Italy as abroad.

The editions