UPDATED INFO ON TICKETS for 2023 BELOW
June is one of the best months to find yourself in Florence, as it can be a lot of fun to watch the semi-final games for the Calcio Storico or the final match played on June 24, on Florence's patron saint's feast day for St. John the Baptist. For those that can't see it in person, the viewing rights have been given to an international network so that the match can be viewed across the world. Details further down this page...
What is Calcio Storico?
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino is a combination of soccer, rugby and big time wrestling originated in 16th century Florence and played today in historical costume. The four teams of the historical neighborhoods of the city play against each other, first in two semi-finals and then the final match to determine the winner.
The four teams are: Santa Croce (Azzurri, or Blues), Santo Spirito (Bianchi, or Whites), Santa Maria Novella (Rossi, or Reds), and San Giovanni (Verdi, or Greens).
Piazza Santa Croce, located directly in front of the church Santa Croce, has always been the home to this game, known as “giuoco del calcio fiorentino” or more simply just as Calcio (which means “kick” in Italian). The square is covered in dirt to "return" to those times when it was just a dirt square (today it is covered in stone) and recreate the setting. Of course, today bleachers are also set up so that spectators can better enjoy the game.
The official rules of the Calcio Storico were first published in 1580 by Giovanni de’ Bardi, a Florentine count. Invented by rich aristocreats, Calcio was originally just played by just the higher social class and took place every night between Epiphany and Lent. Just like Roman harpastum, it was played in teams of 27 and both feet and hands were used. Goals can be scored by throwing the ball over a designated spot on the perimeter of the field with another goal running the width of the short ends. There is a main referee, six linesmen and a field master. Each game is played out for 50 minutes with the winner being the team with the most points or “cacce” scored.
Want to know what the game means for a "calciante" or Calcio player? Read my interview of Fabrizio Vallero, a "calciante" for the Bianchi of Santo Spirito to find out.
The prize for the winning team? A Chianina calf!!
Who plays who for the semi-finals? The teams are decided on Easter Sunday by drawing painted balls, see photo below.
The Dates
Over a weekend in early June, the two semifinals are played between the four teams. The two winners will then play against each other in the final match, which is always played on June 24th in grand style on Florence’s feast day for its patron saint, St. John the Baptist. On the days of the semi-finals and on the final match, a splendid parade in historical costume starts in Piazza Santa Maria Novella and heads through the center on its way to Piazza Santa Croce. Each of the four districts is in the parade, you’ll see the players going by as they go to play the final, even those that won’t be playing the last match. For the semifinals, the parade starts roughly around 4.45pm, arrival in Piazza Santa Croce around 6pm and the game should start around 7pm while for the final game the times for the parade are an hour earlier for everything, with final game starting at 6pm. Just head downtown, you’ll run into the fun! The parade divides in half in Piazza Strozzi: part of it heads to the bank of the Arno river, then heads towards Ponte Vecchio and on to Piazza della Signoria passing under the Uffizi museum. The other part heads straight to Piazza della Repubblica before also heading to Piazza della Signoria. Both continue from there to Piazza Santa Croce, passing by Palazzo Vecchio and Via de' Neri.
The day of June 24th ends with a spectacular fireworks show launched from Piazzale Michelangelo that can be watched along the Arno's banks.
Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2023
On Easter Sunday during the Scoppio del Carro event, the draw for Calcio Storico was held to decide who plays against whom on the semi-final dates. In 2023, the Calcio Storico games are definitely back to normal, so should be the fireworks at the end of the night.
The dates of the semi-final matches are to be June 10 and 11th.
The Azzurri of Santa Croce will play against the Bianchi of Santo Spirito on Saturday, and then the Verdi of San Giovanni will play against the Rossi of Santa Maria Novella on Sunday.
Just remember that the final is always on June 24th, between whoever wins each of the two semi-finals!
TICKETS FOR SEMIFINALS 2023
Tuesday, May 30, from 10am to 7pm
exclusively IN PERSON at the BoxOffice main office, Via delle Vecchie Carceri 1.
ATTENTION: queue numbers will be handed out to buy tickets starting at 8am on Tuesday, May 30 directly at the BoxOffice office, Via delle Vecchie Carceri 1.
One number will be given per person, which will give the right to buy a maximum of 4 tickets per person.
Payment method: ATM or credit card ONLY (no cash or American Express accepted).
Wednesday, May 31, subject to availability of remaining seats, from 10am to 6pm
exclusively IN PERSON at the BoxOffice main office, Via delle Vecchie Carceri 1.
ATTENTION: queue numbers will be handed out to buy tickets starting at 9am on Wednesday, May 31 directly at the BoxOffice office, Via delle Vecchie Carceri 1.
One number will be given per person, which will give the right to buy a maximum of 4 tickets per person.
Payment method: ATM or credit card ONLY (no cash or American Express accepted).
Thursday, June 1 starting at 9am, <7>any remaining tickets will be sold ONLINE at Ticketone.it.
From 10am to 5pm, if remaining seats are still available, they will also be sold in person at the BoxOffice office.
Payment method: ATM or credit card ONLY (no cash or American Express accepted).
TICKETS FOR THE FINAL MATCH JUNE 24, 2023: Azzurri vs Rossi
MONDAY JUNE 19, from 10am to 7pm exclusively at the BoxOffice, Via delle Vecchie Carceri, 1
IMPORTANT: starting at 8am, queue numbers will be handed out to manage the flow of ticket sales directly at BoxOffice, Via delle Vecchie Carceri, 1
Just one number per person, who can buy up to 4 tickets to the funal match. Only ATM or credit cards will be accepted (no cash or Amex)
Starting Tuesday, June 20th at 9am, if there are still tickets available, then the sale of tickets will go online on Ticketone.it
Cost of tickets:
€ 50,00 Tribune "C" (this area is in the sun, general seats)
€ 29,00 for the "Curve", these are the ends, one for each team (general seats, not numbered)
The Tribune "A" area will be completely dedicated to host the participating members of the historical society Corteo della Repubblica Fiorentina. No seats from this area will be sold to the general public. See map below that shows the areas.
Watch on internet or TV
Anyone can get a front row seat to the Calcio Storico games by watching online (pay-per-view) or on TV (locally generally on Toscana TV, channel 11 and Firenze TV on channel 80; replicas are given that same night at 9pm and 11pm, respectively) but the rights for local and international shows will be on DAZN (paid streaming, here are the links for the semi-final games on Saturday and Sunday). While watching online or on TV isn't the same thing as being at the game in person, you can enjoy Calcio Storico Fiorentino from the comfort of your own home if you can't make it to Florence this June.
Last update: June 14, 2023
