Dear friends, A.S.D. Piloti dei Porti d’Italia, together with Fedepiloti and Assopiloti, is thrilled to welcome you to the 59th EMPA Football Tournament for our special category, taking place on May 22-23, 2025, in the beautiful city of Genova. With its rich maritime tradition, Genova serves as the perfect backdrop for this extraordinary occasion.
This year marks the fifty-ninth edition of this event, which has become a cornerstone of our community and a reference point for teams and spectators from all over Europe.
The championship is more than just a sports competition; it is an opportunity to celebrate and promote fundamental values such as loyalty, collaboration, and mutual respect.
The event will thus provide a valuable opportunity for networking, interaction and discussion. It also highlights our dedication to fostering global connections and enhancing the maritime industry. We can’t wait to meet you!
The association "A.S.D. Piloti dei Porti d’Italia" was officially established and recognized on January 4, 2019.
It is a non-profit organization and operates exclusively for sports, recreational, and cultural purposes. Its main goal is to promote the culture of the sea and sports through its associative life. Since its foundation, the association has been dedicated, thanks to its supporters, to organizing and managing the international activities of the maritime pilots' sports team.
EMPA, the European Maritime Pilot’s Association, has been organizing an annual football championship since 1964, involving our category's federations at the European level. The tournament represents an opportunity for pilots from every region of Europe to meet and share the challenges that maritime pilots face daily in the performance of their work.
The 59th edition of the EMPA Football Tournament will also be an occasion to remember the tragic collapse of the pilot tower on the night of May 7, 2013, a disaster that left an indelible mark on the port and city community.
That night, we lost nine brave colleagues who dedicated their lives to ensuring the safety of the port.Their untimely deaths deeply affected us all, reminding us of the risks they took every day.
As we come together for this event, we honor their memory and their service, celebrating the strength and resilience of the Genova port family.
Arrivals & check-ins.
Captains’ meeting at Galata Maritime Museum.
Welcome party & drawing ceremony at Galata Maritime Museum.
Transfer to the soccer fields in Bogliasco and tournament.
Departure of boat tour in the Gulf of Poets (full day family activity).
Transfer back to Genova from the soccer fields.
Return from the boat tour.
Gala dinner and awards ceremony at Villa del Principe.
After-party at Villa del Principe.
On May 23rd, family members and companions will have the opportunity to take part in a private boat excursion departing from the Old Port of Genova to Portofino or San Fruttuoso, passing through Camogli, Punta Chiappa, and the Cinque Terre.
The Gulf of Poets is a deep inlet of the Ligurian Sea coast where famous writers, including Lord Byron and Shelley, have stayed over time, seeking inspiration for their works from the peace and beauty of this place.
During the excursion, guests will be able to enjoy the coastal landscape, a diverse and characteristic array of attractions: picturesque fishing villages perched on the sea, medieval churches and castles, sandy beaches, and rocky cliffs overlooking the sea.
PLEASE NOTE: In case of adverse weather conditions, the program may be subject to changes.
The captains’ meeting, followed by the welcome party and drawing ceremony, will be held in an exclusive location immersed in the history and culture of Genova that will allow participants to experience a unique journey in the biggest maritime museum in the Mediterranean. Galata is located in the Old Port of Genova, the heart of the city, the soul of the historic center, and the largest square on the Mediterranean.
The Coeclerici Terrace will provide the backdrop for a welcome cocktail during which the drawing ceremony and live performance by a local band will take place, offering stunning views of the port and the city skyline. Known for its picturesque setting, the terrace is an ideal venue for European pilots to socialize, network, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling harbor.
In case of rain, an adjacent indoor hall will be available.
Villa del Principe is the largest and most sumptuous noble residence in the city of Genova. Built in the 1520s by Andrea Doria, a valiant admiral and legendary military figure, the villa served as a Renaissance court that attracted the top artists of the time. The villa boasts exquisite frescoes, intricate tapestries, and opulent furnishings that reflect its rich history. Its magnificent gardens, featuring fountains, statues, and eautifully manicured landscapes overlooking the sea, will be the perfect setting for the gala dinner and award ceremony at the end of the tournament.
The evening will continue into the night with music, celebrating all participants, both those who triumphed and those who gave their best, at an after party.
In case of rain, the dinner will take place inside the magnificent halls of the palace.
KINDLY NOTE:
Transfers to and from the football fields are kindly provided exclusively for guests staying at one of the following hotels, booked directly through the event website at the link below.
The deadline for event registration is April 20, 2025.
The cancellation policy for hotel accommodations varies by hotel:
Best Western Plus City Hotel - Grand Hotel Savoia - Starhotels President
Free cancellation is available until March 20, 2025.
B&B Hotel Genova City Center
Free cancellation is available until May 11, 2025.
For all other products, including the Awards Dinner, Lunch Box, and Boat Tour, costs are non-refundable. However, once the registration period closes, based on final participation numbers and cancellations, the Organizer may consider offering partial refunds.
With over 2,500 years of history, Genova stands as a testament to maritime power and cultural richness. Its port has been central to its history, shaping its development and global influence for centuries:
For info, please contact TravelDesk info@reg-empa.ms-dev.it
The tournament will take place at the Gloriano Mugnaini Sports Center in Bogliasco, located 12 km from Genova. This modern and functional facility serves as the headquarters of Sampdoria Football Club. Nestled among the stunning Ligurian hills with breathtaking sea views, it features impeccably maintained football pitches, a state-of-the-art gym, and top-notch medical facilities. It is truly a temple of football and passion for the sport, where tradition and the future come together to inspire players and fans alike.
The center has two main pitches: a natural grass field, used by the first team, with regulation dimensions of 105 x 68 meters, and a synthetic turf field, primarily used for training or youth team matches, also with regulation dimensions.
Amongst the oldest hotels in Italy, the history of the Grand Hotel Savoia extends back 120 years, its ancient splendour having been restored thanks to a sophisticated restoration.
During the warmer months, enjoy a rich breakfast on the terrace, backdropped by the roofs of Genoa glimmering in the morning light, merging with the blue of the sea, and trace the colourful mosaics that outline the sensory pathway of the Spa.
The hotel is located right in the historic centre, just 50 metres from the Principe Station and a short walk to the Aquarium, the Magazzini del Cotone and the Fiera di Genova.
The following prices are for a 2-night stay.
Breakfast and VAT are included. City taxes are excluded and must be paid on-site.
Double single use: 400€
Double: 440€
Triple: 540€
Quadruple: 640€
City tax (per person/per night): 5€
This four-star hotel offers a privileged and central location next to the beautiful Piazza De Ferrari, the Carlo Felice Theater, and just a few steps from the Palazzo Ducale.
The 62 rooms and 3 suites, spacious, comfortable, and elegant, tastefully and delicately furnished, create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.
Appreciated for the courtesy of its staff and the high quality of services, the Best Western Plus City Hotel is ready to offer a cozy atmosphere in new and fresh environments to make your stay in Genoa a unique experience.
The following prices are for a 2-night stay.
Breakfast and VAT are included. City taxes are excluded and must be paid on-site.
Double single use: 340€
Double: 380€
Triple: 430€
Quadruple: 480€
City tax (per person/per night): 4€
The B&B Hotel Genova City Center is a design hotel strategically located close to the main points of interest in the city. Ideal for business trips and family holidays, it is easy to reach both from the train station and the motorway exit.
the B&B Hotel Genova City Center is always ready to offer you relaxation and comfort. Hotel facilities always include an en-suite bathroom with a bidet and a shower with XXL shower head, memory foam mattress, a soft duvet, unlimited internet access and a 40" flat-screen Smart TV.
The following prices are for a 2-night stay.
Breakfast and VAT are included. City taxes are excluded and must be paid on-site.
Double single use: 300€
Double: 330€
City tax (per person/per night): 3€
In the heart of Genoa, opposite the Brignole station, the Starhotels President reflects the refined elegance of the city it inhabits.
The 188 rooms, equipped with every comfort in a chic and sophisticated atmosphere, are designed primarily for business travelers but are also perfect for leisure travelers.
The restaurant La Corte delights the palate with Ligurian traditional specialties. The lounge atmosphere of the bar La Corte is ideal for enjoying a good coffee, a quick lunch, or a cocktail.
The following prices are for a 2-night stay.
Breakfast and VAT are included. City taxes are excluded and must be paid on-site.
Double single use: 320€
Double: 370€
Triple: 380€
Quadruple: 420€
City tax (per person/per night): 4€
Hotel Bellevue has a central position which makes it the ideal base to visit Genoa and Liguria. Guests appreciate the very easy way to reach the hotel: we are only 50 meters far from the railway station Genova Principe, where the main city buses, the subway and taxis stop, as well as the “Volabus”, the bus that connects the city centre with the international airport “Cristoforo Colombo”.
Th hotel offers 24h reception service, free wifi connection, elevator, free newspapers and two large terraces with panoramic view on the harbour and the Lighthouse, symbol of the city.
Double Room: €200
Suite: €300
An outstanding architectural hotel, the NH Collection Genova Marina rises on stilt-like pillars above Genoa’s renovated Old Port area. Designed by Renzo Piano, this unique and distinctive modern building is close to the harbor attractions and cruise terminal, and within a short walk of the historic city center. Watch the boats as you have breakfast on the flower-filled terrace and browse the luxury boutiques and designer shops in the nearby Via Roma. The Aquarium, Sea Museum, and the Neptune Galleon are just a few steps away.
The hotel has 140 stylish, contemporary rooms, all of which ooze elegance and premium amenities. The modern gym offers state-of-the-art exercise machines. Il Gozzo Restaurant is perfect for experiencing authentic Ligurian and Italian specialities, and the bar offers some of the best views of the harbor.
Double Room: €200
Suite: €300
ONE is proud to support the EMPA athletes in their preparation for the 59th Football Tournament in Genova by offering innovative and personalized online training programs.
With our expertise in fitness and athletic preparation, we guarantee a targeted training plan that adapts to each player's needs.
Using the latest technologies for remote training, we provide workout sessions and physical development plans optimized to improve endurance, strength, and sports performance. Our goal is to support athletes in reaching peak performance on the field while preventing any kind of injury.
To get your workouts please send us your data (name - surname - date of birth) to diego.cecchinato86@gmail.com.
You will receive a link in your inbox within 24 hours.
