Parma, 8 June, 2026 – Sport, fun, and plenty of fair play shaped a day dedicated to the youngest players, set against the backdrop of the Ennio Tardini Stadium and Ferrari Park. It was a Sunday filled with games, energy, and smiles, organised by Parma Calcio and split into three parts, with the young footballers taking centre stage in the innovative Kid5 F3s7ival Parma Academy format.
The new format, featuring 7v7, 5v5 and 3v3 matches with small goals, was aimed at teams made up of players born in 2014, with up to three players born in 2015 allowed per squad. On the pitch, clubs with a strong tradition such as Parma, Cagliari, Udinese, Pisa, Como, Inter, Sassuolo and Hellas Verona took part in a day designed not just for competition, but above all to help young players grow through football.
This new format had several clear objectives. For the young players, it was a real all-round experience focused on technical development, with more involvement, less waiting time, and plenty of chances to get involved and express themselves. For coaches, it was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and share perspectives. For the clubs, it offered a chance to take part in a well-structured, inclusive event focused on development. And for families, it was a chance to experience a calm, positive, and engaging environment up close, following the children through a day that combined sport, education, and emotion.
The 3v3 format is designed to encourage creativity, decision-making, active participation from all players, technical skill development, and the ability to identify the easiest side to attack. The 5v5 game promotes constant transitions between attack and defence, pushing players to look for brave plays in central areas, work on finishing, and combine with teammates. Finally, the 7v7 format acts as an intermediate step: even on a smaller pitch, young players begin to engage with a more structured style of play and early tactical concepts, while still keeping the positional freedom that makes the learning process more effective.
Between the stadium and Ferrari Park, the third and final stage of the YellowBlue Cup also took place, organised with partner clubs for the 2017 age group. It was another chance to participate and feel a strong sense of belonging, with plenty of children enjoying football in its most authentic form: simply playing together.
There were four groups, each made up of four teams:
Group A: Vicofertile, United Albinea, X Martiri Yellow, Progetto Montagna Yellow
Group B: Audace, Fraore Yellow, Oratorio Orbassano, X Martiri Green
Group C: Cus Parma Yellow, Rubierese, X Martiri Blue, Alseno Calcio
Group D: Cus Parma Blue, San Colombano, Fraore Blue, Progetto Montagna Blue
The day concluded with Play Fun, a Parma Calcio activity organised in collaboration with the FIGC Youth and School Sector. In this case, 32 teams took part, divided into four groups, playing in a 4v4 format without goalkeepers.
It was the perfect way to end a Sunday, and a season, where results mattered less than the joy of playing, being together, and watching so many children run, learn, and have fun. Because before anything else, football at this age is just that: an open pitch, a ball at their feet, and an experience to share.
