Parma, 16 February 2026 – Stepping onto the same pitch as your heroes is possible: on Sunday 15 February, Parma Calcio 1913 hosted a special match at the Stadio Ennio Tardini between Parrocchia San Pellegrino and Parrocchia Santa Maria del Rosario in the build-up to Parma vs Hellas Verona.

Matchday 25 of the Serie A 2025/26 season began with a unique fixture in the heart of the city. Taking to the Tardini turf were some of the young stars of the Philadelphia Junior Cup | Keep Racism Out, the national seven-a-side youth tournament for local teams promoted by Philadelphia – the iconic Mondelēz International brand and Title Sponsor of the competition – in partnership with Lega Serie A and the Centro Sportivo Italiano, across cities represented in Italy’s top flight.

Parrocchia Santa Maria del Rosario celebrated a 3-2 win over Parrocchia San Pellegrino, but beyond the result, all the youngsters were aware they had been part of something special: an occasion that bridged the gap between grassroots football and the peak of the game. That mission has been central to the Philadelphia Junior Cup’s sport-and-education project for thirteen editions, particularly through workshops centred on its core values: friendship, respect and inclusion.

Earlier in the week, Parma Calcio also hosted the third of 20 educational events supporting the Keep Racism Out awareness campaign, promoted by Lega Serie A in collaboration with UNAR (the National Office Against Racial Discrimination). Held in the conference room at the Tardini on Wednesday 11 February, the session brought together the young players of Parrocchia Santa Maria del Rosario and Parma’s youth academy boys and girls, alongside Camelia Ceasar and Filippo Rinaldi, goalkeepers of the Club’s Women’s and Men’s First Teams respectively.

The Philadelphia Junior Cup extends well beyond the pitch. Players aged between 12 and 14 take part in educational workshops hosted at Serie A clubs’ training centres, engaging with top-flight players, psychologists, educators and experts to explore the importance of sporting values and foster more inclusive environments on and off the field. They also enjoy behind-the-scenes stadium tours and the opportunity to play pre-match fixtures in Serie A venues.

From January to May, the youngsters compete through territorial, regional and interregional stages, culminating in a final eight travelling to Rome to crown the champions. The showpiece final will take place on the pitch of the Stadio Olimpico, shortly before the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Final.