The 40th Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce sponsored by Serpentini Chevrolet will be held on Friday August 23rd, Saturday August 24th, and Sunday August 25th at the Wickliffe Italian-American Club located at 29717 Euclid Avenue in Wickliffe, Ohio.

The tournament will host 120 bocce teams (104 Open Division & 16 Women’s Division) under nine covered bocce courts and will feature world class players from across the United States & Canada including Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, California, and many more locations all competing for over $25,000 in prize money.

Last year’s Open Division winner CPF Home Inspections from Mentor, Ohio and the Women’s Division winner Dirty 30 from Warren, Ohio each captured their first CCCoB title. This year, both teams will try to repeat as champions against some of the fiercest & most intense competition in the country. Opening ceremonies will begin at 3:45 p.m. on Friday August 23rd, and will include the national anthems of the U.S.A, Italy, and Canada all performed by Giovanni Castiglione of Solon, Ohio.

Immediately following our opening ceremonies, the bocce tournament will begin and continuously run till we crown a champion in both divisions Sunday evening! If you are interested in registering for the tournament this year, please be sure to follow the Wickliffe Italian - American Club on both Facebook & Instagram where we will post all tournament details. If you have any questions on this year's tournament, please contact Frank Gambatese (2024 Tournament Director) Text: 440-373-7942 or Email: [email protected]. You can also find complete details on the club website at www.wickliffeianda.com.

Entertainment & festivities will run throughout the weekend in the covered pavilion area with our main stage sponsored by Khash Saghafi - Liberty Home Mortgage. Friday night will feature live music by Pieces of Eight (Celebrating their 45th Anniversary) while Saturday afternoon will offer cultural activities from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. followed by Saturday night's live music performance by Rock The House! Sunday is “Family Day” and will feature the incredible magic & card throwing of Rick Smith Jr. Magic Show, an appearance by Jungle Terry & Friends and lots more! Lastly, come try the homemade Italian food, specialty dishes and traditional American classics from our local food vendors and of course our fully stocked bar will keep you hydrated all weekend long! We hope to see you there!

This event is funded in part through a generous grant from the Lake County Visitors Bureau.

THE WICKLIFFE ITALIAN-AMERICAN CLUB is a community-based social/fraternal organization established in 1932 (recognized by the state of Ohio in 1933) for people of Italian ancestry who live in and around the area of Wickliffe, Ohio (a suburb east of Cleveland, Ohio). The club actively promotes and recognizes those of Italian descent who have furthered the Italian cultural bond they share. In addition, each year college scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved academic excellence and have demonstrated knowledge & pride in their Italian heritage. The Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce Tournament is now in its 40th year and has grown from 16 teams to 100+ teams in recent years (selling out in 10 minutes in 2023), to go along with record breaking attendance in 2023. It is one of the largest open bocce tournaments in the country.