European Universities Games
Salerno 2026
July 18 - August 1

Serve, Volley and a Sea View: the tennis tournament at the European Universities Games Salerno 2026 is already making history!

If you have been following the updates on the European Universities Games Salerno 2026, you already know that the summer is going to be incredibly hot. But today we are getting to the heart of the action to talk about the event that is already driving fans (and not only them) crazy: the Tennis tournament.

From July 27 – August 1, Salerno and Fisciano will turn into the most spectacular courts in the European universities world. We are talking about a record-breaking draw with 32 teams ready to compete and, above all, a stunning setting that will make you want to drop your books (or the summer exam session) and rush to cheer them on.

Explaining the incredible atmosphere that we will breathe on the courts is Simona Marzullo, technical delegate for Tennis at CUS Salerno:

“Playing in Salerno will be a truly special and evocative experience for all the student-athletes. The courts overlook the sea, surrounded by a setting of undoubted charm, and for many of the students arriving from abroad it will be a unique opportunity, because they are not used to playing matches in such a context. I believe it will be an extraordinary experience. We already experienced something similar during the Universiade, when courts were built on the seafront in Naples. This year, instead, the Salerno seafront will frame the tournament, thus continuing this beautiful tradition of tennis by the sea, which I am sure will make the event even more evocative.”

Between the Seafront and the New Courts in Fisciano

The matches will be divided into two strategic locations. The first is the historic “Giovanni Di Ninno” Tennis Club in Torrione, right under the Forte La Carnale, completely renovated for the occasion. The second is the brand new university facility in Mariscoli, Fisciano, practically opposite the halls of residence (super convenient for those living on campus).

Beyond the spectacle, the tournament will leave a great legacy for us students in terms of sports facilities, as Simona Marzullo points out once again:

“One of the most significant aspects that these Games will leave as a legacy to the local area concerns precisely the sports facilities. In fact, major redevelopment work has been carried out: three new courts will be inaugurated in Mariscoli, Fisciano, opposite the university residences, and the courts on the Salerno seafront are also undergoing renovation.”

EUG2026 Tennis: Who is taking the court?

The tournament has already sold out, reaching the maximum limit: 32 teams in total, equally divided between the men’s (16) and women’s (16) draws. Tennis is one of the very few disciplines in this edition to boast such numbers!

Here is an overview of the teams bringing different European voices to the courts:

• France (the powerhouse): They are the most represented nation with exactly four teams. Keep an eye on the University of Bordeaux and Paris Dauphine University in the men’s tournament, whilst Montpellier and Paris Dauphine will play in the women’s.
• Germany (the giants): They arrive with a delegation of 15 athletes from Cologne and Regensburg (both present in the men’s and women’s tournaments). The University of Cologne is the team to beat in the women’s draw, after winning the European Universities Games in Debrecen 2024.
• Switzerland (the defending champions): The University of Zurich is here to defend the men’s title won in 2024, but will also field a competitive team in the women’s event.
• Italy (the hosts): We are playing at home and we want to make our mark! Italy is aiming for perfect symmetry: both the Polytechnic of Turin and our University of Salerno (with teams prepared by CUS) will be present in both draws, men’s and women’s. Cheering for UniSa is a must!

The tournament format: spoiler, nobody goes home straight away!

Forget the classic knockout tournaments where those who lose in the first round pack their bags. At the European Universities Games Salerno 2026, there will be plenty of play, guaranteeing a show every day.

Simona Marzullo explains how the competition will work:

“The Tennis tournament will also be organised with an initial group stage, a format that allows all athletes to play more than one match. We will therefore not see a straight knockout tournament: every team will have the chance to play several matches and at the end of the competition, the full ranking will be drawn up with an award ceremony for all teams down to 16th place.”

In short, between matches with a sea view, the top university players bringing European voices together, and our UniSa teams ready to do battle, this summer has a completely different rhythm.

Will you be there cheering on the seafront or in Fisciano?