Cantù: The season kicks off at the Pavillon in the new Arena

August 17, 2026, goes down in the history of Pallacanestro Cantù. With the Acqua S.Bernardo training camp, the Cantù Arena Pavilion—the new facility dedicated to the first team’s training sessions—was officially inaugurated. Under the guidance of Coach Frank Vitucci, the blue-and-whites held their first preseason practice, officially kicking off their journey toward the 2026–27 LBA season.

The training camp also held special significance for the Cantù Arena project, as it marked the first event hosted within the new complex. A symbolic moment marking another step forward in the completion of a project destined to become a landmark for Cantù and the entire region.

The event took place behind closed doors—as will the team’s subsequent training sessions—due to safety requirements related to ongoing construction work in the Arena’s main structure.

However, several representatives from institutions and partners contributing to the project attended the first day. Their presence underscored the importance of a milestone that is set to usher in a new chapter in the history of Pallacanestro Cantù.

The Mayor of Cantù, Alice Galbiati, Esq., expressed her satisfaction with this achievement: “From dream to reality. For years, we’ve been talking about this project. Today, with the team’s first practice in the Arena Pavilion, that project is coming to life. After more than thirty years of waiting and trying, the perseverance of those who believed in the possibility of giving the city a facility worthy of its sporting history has finally paid off. We chose an innovative path—we were the first in Italy to implement the Stadium Law—and we worked with determination to get this far. The journey isn’t over yet, and construction continues, but the Arena is taking shape—a sign that even the most ambitious projects can become reality when institutions, private partners, and the local community share a common vision.”

Andrea Mauri, CEO of Cantù Arena, emphasized the importance of this milestone: “We are aware that there are still a few steps left on the road to realizing this dream, but today we take great satisfaction in bringing Pallacanestro Cantù back to train at home. Kicking off the club’s 90th-anniversary season in the city of Cantù was one of our goals. We will continue to work with great energy toward the Arena’s opening. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the companies involved and all the technicians who are working passionately to turn this dream into reality.”

Sergio Paparelli, President of Cantù Next, expressed his satisfaction at reaching this important milestone: “Today brings great satisfaction because, by staying on schedule thanks to the work of the companies involved in this project, we can welcome the Pallacanestro Cantù team to the Pavilion. The journey continues, because we can’t wait to share all of this with the fans. On a day like this, it’s inevitable to look back on the beginning of this dream, and I would therefore like to thank the members of Cantù Next for being the first to believe in the Cantù Arena project.”

Stefano Cetti, CEO of Acinque, highlighted the significance of the Pavilion’s completion within the project: “It is with great pride that we present today the progress of the new Home of Basketball: we are in the process of handing over the area known as the ‘Pavilion,’ and this marks another fundamental milestone in the project, which aims to bring basketball back to the city and provide the region with a state-of-the-art, multipurpose complex that will be vibrant and bustling all year round. A project of excellence that, beyond its intrinsic value, brings prestige to Cantù through sustainability and innovation, serving as a benchmark in the field of sports infrastructure and beyond.”

Finally, closing remarks from Pallacanestro Cantù General Manager Simone Giofré: “After nearly 40 years, the dream is coming true. Stepping into the Arena’s Pavilion and kicking off the season there is a deeply moving experience for all of us. We feel a responsibility to pass on to newcomers not only the glorious history of our club but also the pride in the completion of such an important project that is now coming to fruition. We must be grateful to all those who made this possible.”