NAPLES – On May 29th, at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, sport, entertainment, and solidarity will be combined for a great charity evening.
The press conference to present the second edition of "Il Derby dei Campioni," the sporting and charitable event scheduled for May 29, 2026, at 8:45 PM at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, was held in the Pignatiello Hall of the City of Naples' Palazzo San Giacomo. Napoli World, featuring the National Singers team, will face the Palestine National Football Team in a match with strong symbolic, sporting, and social significance.
The event supports important humanitarian organizations and socially responsible associations, including Kids OR – Surgery for Children, the Domenico Caliendo Foundation, and Battiti – AICCA Monaldi Hospital. All funds raised from the initiative will be donated to charity.
The press conference was attended by institutional representatives, guests from the world of sports and entertainment, along with the initiative's promoters, Saxsum Eventi, AG Events, and AICS – Italian Association of Culture and Sport. Speakers included Salvatore Guangi, Vice President of the Naples City Council; Emanuela Papaccio, Regional President of AICS; Umberto Russo, Director of Radio CRC, an event partner; Stanislao Forte, President of the Battiti Association; Giovanni Rea, Domenico Caliendo Foundation; Lynne Brooks and Alistair Goldie, representatives of Kids OR - Surgery for Children. Numerous students from schools across the Campania region will be attending, filling the stadium stands as fans. In particular, "students from IC3 Parco Verde in Caivano will be present, along with a large number of elementary school students," says teacher Pina Pascarella, "while preschoolers, wearing their uniforms, will take to the field to accompany the Champions for kickoff. The initiative has received the praise of Headmaster Bartolomeo Perna, concludes Pascarella, who immediately embraced this project's charitable purpose.".
“"The Derby dei Campioni, scheduled for May 29th at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, is much more than a sporting challenge: it sends a powerful message, especially to young people. Through football and sport in general, we want to convey fundamental values such as respect for the rules, inclusion, loyalty, and teamwork. Naples believes in sport as an extraordinary tool for education and personal growth, capable of offering opportunities, combating hardship, and building a more equal and aware community. Investing in sport means investing in the future of new generations," said Emanuela Ferrante, Councilor for Sport and Equal Opportunities.
“"It's not just a football match, but a tangible message of solidarity, inclusion, and support for those in need. We wanted to create an event that would bring together leading figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment around authentic values. Naples once again demonstrates its extraordinary ability to combine sport, entertainment, and social commitment in an event with international reach. The goal is to offer the public a special evening while also actively supporting the charitable activities associated with the initiative," the organizing team emphasized.
Particularly significant will be the presence of the Palestine National Football Team, a symbol of resilience, identity, and national pride. The delegation attending the event will be composed of a mixed group of male and female footballers: the athletes are all members of the current women's national team, while the men's team will include both former players and players currently playing in the various categories of the Palestinian national team. This team represents the unity, experience, and future of Palestinian football. A key player of the evening will also be the National Singers' Association, a unique organization worldwide for its continuity, organization, and charitable mission. Founded by Mogol, the National Italian Singers Association has played over 724 matches, raising over €150 million, all of which has been donated to charity. Over the years, the National Singers' Association has transformed sport and music into an extraordinary instrument of solidarity, collaborating with the Italian Red Cross and promoting charitable initiatives around the world.
The event is held under the patronage of the City of Naples, the Campi Flegrei Regional Park Authority, and the Palestinian Embassy. The press conference was moderated by television host Veronica Maya.
