Serie A Elite attracts more than 130 children in New York as program expands across the U.S.

More than 130 children participated in the New York edition of Serie A Elite, Lega Serie A's official youth development program in North America, created in partnership with Rome City Institute. Held on June 20 at Chelsea Waterside Park in Manhattan, the event offered boys and girls aged 8 to 13 the opportunity to train with Italian coaches and experience the methodology and culture of Italian football free of charge.

At a time when the FIFA World Cup is bringing unprecedented attention to soccer across North America, the strong turnout in New York highlighted the growing interest in the sport among young players and their families. Throughout the day, participants trained on the pitch, engaged in interactive activities, and got up close with the iconic Serie A Scudetto Trophy. All received official jerseys from PUMA, Lega Serie A's global technical partner.

Beyond the pitch, families were immersed in a broader celebration of Italian culture through activations by a selection of Italian brands — an experience designed to bring the lifestyle and identity behind Italian football closer to American audiences.

“Serie A Elite represents far more than a youth development program: it is a platform through which we share the values, culture, and tradition of Italian football with the next generation,” said Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Lega Serie A. “Seeing so many children enthusiastically taking part in this initiative in the heart of New York confirms both the growing popularity of our sport in the United States and the strong interest in the technical and educational approach that defines Serie A. Investing in young people means building authentic, lasting relationships with the fans of tomorrow.”

“The response to the Serie A Calcio Camp in New York exceeded our expectations and confirms the growing interest Italian football continues to generate among younger generations in the United States,” said Giorgio Antongirolami, CEO of Rome City Institute. “Families enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to experience authentic Italian football through training sessions led by Italian coaches and activities inspired by the culture of Serie A. The success of this initiative reinforces our commitment to further develop Serie A Elite, bringing the program to new communities and introducing even more young people to the tradition and values of Italian football.”

The New York event marks the beginning of an expanded phase for Serie A Elite. Building on the momentum of the New York edition, Lega Serie A plans to bring the format to additional U.S. cities, establishing a national presence and deepening the league's engagement with local communities and the next generation of fans.