Is the Como Cup the Most Unique Pre-Season Tournament on the Planet?

Six teams from six different countries, playing nine games across four days, in one of the most picturesque stadiums in football. Welcome to the Como Cup.

Serie A side Como 1907 host the second edition of their tournament at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, and 12 months on from the inaugural Football on the Lake festival, they have raised the stakes.

Fans and tourists will be able to watch up to three games a day with just one ticket, while a range of events will be on across the city as Cup fever takes hold.

The teams

Hosts Como won last year’s first running of this event, beating Ajax in the final ahead of a remarkable campaign in Serie A. In just their second season back in the top flight, Fabregas led his team to a fourth-place finish and Champions League qualification.

Like Como, Villarreal will be in the Champions League later this year after they finished third in the Spanish top flight behind the big two, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Saudi First Division side Al-Ula and Como have been strategic partners since last year, forming a bond to strengthen both clubs’ presence on the global stage. They arrive at the lake after finishing fourth last season and losing in the final of the promotion play-offs.

Crystal Palace claimed their first European trophy last season, winning the Conference League after beating Rayo Vallecano in the final in Leipzig. They finished 15th in the Premier League, having been as high as fourth shortly before Christmas.

French side Lens also made history last season, winning the Coupe de France for the first time in their history when they beat Nice in the final in May. They also finished second in the league, six points behind champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Famalicao arrive in Lombardy after a strong campaign in the Primeira Liga, posting a fifth-place finish, their highest since returning to Portugal’s top division six years ago.

The format

It all kicks off on July 28 with three games in one night as Lens, Crystal Palace and Famalicao battle it out in Group A. First up is Lens against Palace at 7pm, then it’s a quick turnaround for the English side, who play Portuguese outfit Famalicao at 8.30pm. Lens face Famalicao at 10pm.

All group-stage matches last 45 minutes and will be settled by a penalty shootout if they finish in a draw.

Group B follows the same pattern the following night, Wednesday July 29. Al-Ula and Villarreal are in the 7pm slot before Como take to their home pitch at 8.30pm, opening their campaign against the side from the Middle East. Fabregas’ men then face Villarreal at 10pm.

The two teams finishing top of their group advance to the final, which will be played over 90 minutes on Saturday August 1 at 8pm.

Before the big finale, there will be two play-offs, also played over 90 minutes, on Friday July 31. The two teams finishing in second will fight it out for third place overall, while the teams finishing third in the groups will play for fifth place overall. Friday’s action starts at 6pm.

How To Watch

Day tickets allow the holder to watch every match that day.

A range of hospitality packages and tourism experiences are available on Como’s website, including three-day stays in four-star accommodation and six-day luxury stays at five-star hotels. Packages also include a welcome gift, a complimentary drink at Silk Bar in Como’s historic centre, and pre-match hospitality.

Need To Know

• The action at the stadium is just part of the festival. Como 1907 will be launching their new kit during the Como Cup.

• British musician Craig David and DJ Patrick Nazemi will be performing at Club On The Lake, Como’s newest private social destination.

• The fan zone is back at Piazza Cavour where there will be a kids’ area with games and activities, including foot bowling.

• Tourists and fans looking for something private should check out the Ape-Car tours. They can be booked in one-hour and three-hour slots while private boat tours are also on offer.

• There is also a selection of shared experiences including golf cart tours and boat trips.

• There is a two-day business summit in the city as part of the Como Cup.

• Crystal Palace are basing themselves just across the border in Switzerland and on Thursday July 30 they are putting on an open training session for fans to watch. It is at the Stadio Comunale Riva IV in Chiasso — 10km from Como — and the bar will be open during the 90-minute session. Doors open at 10am with training set to start at 11am. It is free to get in but you must register through the Palace website.