The Pod lipama futsal tournament in Rovinj brings three days of futsal, music and a finale with a big screen
From Thursday, 25 June to Saturday, 27 June 2026, Rovinj will host a new edition of the Pod lipama futsal tournament, a sporting gathering held at the Pod lipama handball court in Rovinj-Rovigno. According to the official announcement by the Tourist Board of the City of Rovinj and the calendar of the Istria County Tourist Board, it is a three-day competition in the 4+1 format under futsal rules, with a prize fund for the best teams and an accompanying programme intended for visitors. The organiser is the Sports Community of the City of Rovinj-Rovigno, or Unione sportiva della Città di Rovinj-Rovigno, which is listed in official announcements as the contact for the event. The tournament fits into Rovinj's summer sports calendar, in which smaller competitions and events often follow on from the wider tourist season. For visitors coming to Rovinj from outside the city, it is useful to check accommodation in Rovinj during the tournament in advance, especially because the event takes place at the end of June, during a period of increased tourist traffic.
Competition from 25 to 27 June at the Pod lipama court
Official event calendars state that the tournament lasts three days, from 25 to 27 June 2026, and that the venue is the Pod lipama handball court. On the first day, matches in groups A and B are announced, while on the second day matches in groups C and D are scheduled. Such a schedule allows the initial part of the competition to be separated by groups, while the final day is left for decisive matches and the battle for placement. According to the available announcements, the final stage is planned for 27 June, when this year's winners should be known. Although in some descriptions of the event the final stage is mentioned as taking place on Sunday, the official calendars currently list the end on Saturday, 27 June, so that date is taken as valid for the last day of the tournament.
The tournament is played in a 4+1 format, which in futsal practice means four outfield players and a goalkeeper. According to the event announcement, this format is linked to futsal rules, so a dynamic game in a smaller space can be expected, with frequent changes of rhythm and quick transitions from defence to attack. For spectators, such a system is especially attractive because matches usually bring a large number of duels, quick finishes and constant involvement of all players on the court. In the announcement, the organisers emphasise sporting socialising, valuable prizes and three days of competition, presenting the tournament not only as a sporting contest but also as a social event. Precisely the combination of the competitive and entertainment parts is one of the reasons why such summer tournaments have an important role in local sports calendars.
Prize fund and team registrations
A cash prize fund has been secured for the best teams. According to the published information, the winning team will receive 1,000 euros, the runner-up team will receive 500 euros, and third place brings a prize of 300 euros. Such a ratio of prizes clearly places the emphasis on sporting results, but at the same time leaves room for the broader character of the tournament, in which participation, socialising and the presence of the audience are an important part of the event. The entry fee is 100 euros per team, and registrations are possible through social networks or by phone at +385 91 973 6000. Since the tournament takes place over three days and the schedule is divided by groups, it is important for teams to check the times in due course and organise their arrival according to the timetable that will be published by the organisers.
The published amount of the entry fee points to the open recreational-competitive character of the tournament, which is common for summer futsal events. Teams that register in accordance with the organisers' instructions may participate, while the specific number of participants and the final schedule will depend on registrations. At present, not all details about the draw, the timetable of individual matches and any additional rules have been published, so interested teams should rely on the official channels of the organisers and announcements related to the tournament for the latest information. According to the announcement on the Istrian event calendar, the tournament is presented through four key items: 4+1 futsal rules, valuable prizes, sporting socialising and three days of competition. This is also the shortest description of the programme awaiting teams and spectators.
Music programme and broadcast of the Croatia and Ghana match
Alongside the matches, a music part of the programme has also been announced for the second and final day, entrusted to DJ Twenty One. This supplements the competition schedule with entertainment content, which is a common formula for summer sporting events that gather not only players, but also families, friends of teams and visitors interested in informal sporting socialising. The music programme is especially important in the evening slots, when after the matches space is created for socialising to continue outside the court itself. By announcing the accompanying programme, the organisers are trying to make the event attractive also to an audience that may not follow every match, but wants to be part of the atmosphere at the court. In that sense, the Pod lipama tournament has the characteristics of a sporting meeting, but also of a small neighbourhood event open to a wider circle of visitors.
A special point of the final day will be the broadcast of the Croatia and Ghana match on a big screen after the final matches. FIFA's official schedule for the 2026 World Cup confirms that the Croatia and Ghana match in Group L is scheduled for 27 June in Philadelphia. Group L, according to FIFA's group announcement, consists of England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama, so the Croatia and Ghana duel comes in the final part of the group stage. Including the broadcast in the tournament programme further connects the local futsal event with a major international football competition. For the audience following the tournament finale, this means that the sports programme at the court will continue even after the last matches of the domestic competition.
Rovinj as a summer stage for sporting events
In the summer months, Rovinj traditionally attracts a large number of visitors, and sporting events such as the Pod lipama tournament complement an offer that does not rely only on the sea, cultural landmarks and gastronomy. According to announcements by official tourist portals, the event has been included in the calendar of events for Rovinj and Istria, making it part of the destination's broader public offer. Such visibility is important for smaller sporting events because it brings them closer also to an audience that is not directly connected with the teams or organisers. Futsal tournaments usually have a simple, accessible format, so they can also attract casual passers-by, tourists and residents who want to stay by the court during the evening. For cities with strong seasonal visitor numbers, such events help distribute the programme outside the best-known tourist points as well.
The Pod lipama location additionally contributes to the character of the tournament because the sports programme takes place on a well-known court, in a space adapted for gathering spectators. For those planning to attend, it is practical to check the exact location, parking options and pedestrian access before the start of the matches. Considering that the event takes place at the end of June, a larger number of visitors in the city is expected, so earlier planning can make arrival and stay easier. Visitors for whom the tournament is the reason for a shorter stay can look for accommodation offers near the Pod lipama handball court, but without needing to view the sporting event exclusively through a tourist lens. At the centre of the announcement remain the competition, the teams registering and the audience that will follow the matches.
The Sports Community as organiser and the role of local partners
The Sports Community of the City of Rovinj-Rovigno is listed as the organiser of the event, an institution that on its official website gathers information about the activities of the sports community and city clubs. In Rovinj's sports system, such an organisation has an important role because it connects clubs, events and the public, while official lists of members show a wide range of sports operating in the city. In the case of the Pod lipama tournament, its listing as organiser gives the event an institutional framework and facilitates communication with teams that wish to register. IstraSport reported in the tournament announcement that the organisers thanked the City of Rovinj-Rovigno, the Sports Community, sponsors, volunteers and friends of the tournament for their contribution to the realisation of the event. Such support is often crucial for carrying out tournaments that rely on a combination of sporting work, volunteer engagement and logistical support.
In organisational terms, a three-day tournament requires coordination of match schedules, referees, teams, the audience and the accompanying programme. Although at first glance it is a local sporting event, carrying out a competition with several groups and a final stage requires a clear timetable and operational preparation. For teams, this means that they must count on several days of commitments, especially if they pass the group stage and continue competing in the finals. For organisers, the safety and communal aspect is also important, from maintaining the space to the flow of visitors during evening slots. That is precisely why such events are often the result of cooperation between sports structures, sponsors and the local community, and not only the enthusiasm of the registered teams.
What visitors can expect
The tournament programme has been announced as a combination of quality football, good entertainment and accompanying content. Visitors can expect matches over three days, first in groups and then in the final stage, where the standings and prizes will be decided. Since this is futsal in the 4+1 format, the matches should be easy for spectators to follow and rhythmically suited to the atmosphere of a summer tournament. The additional music programme on the second and final day should extend the audience's stay by the court and create a more relaxed evening atmosphere. The broadcast of the Croatia and Ghana match on a big screen has been announced as the final addition to the programme, rounding off the last day with football content at both local and international level.
For teams considering registration, the most important information is already known: the entry fee is 100 euros, registrations are open through social networks or by phone, and the prize fund amounts to 1,000, 500 and 300 euros for the first three places. For spectators, the key dates are 25 to 27 June and the location at the Pod lipama handball court. According to currently available information, the additional timetable of individual matches has not been published in the official tourist calendars, so it is possible that the details will be announced closer to the start of the competition. In any case, the tournament is positioned as one of the sporting events that will mark the end of June in Rovinj. If registrations fill up in line with the organisers' expectations, Pod lipama could again this year be a place where competitive futsal combines with summer socialising and the wider city programme.
Sources:
- Official tourist portal of the Tourist Board of the City of Rovinj – announcement of the Pod lipama event, dates, location and organiser (link)
- Istria County Tourist Board – event calendar, prize fund, entry fee, contact and basic description of the tournament (link)
- Sports Community of the City of Rovinj-Rovigno – official information about the sports community and city sports activities (link)
- IstraSport – tournament announcement and additional information about the programme, final stage, prizes and support for the organisation (link)
- FIFA – official schedule of the Croatia – Ghana match at the 2026 World Cup (link)
- FIFA – overview of Group L of the 2026 World Cup and group composition (link)