Sport
27 July, 2026
Old rivals ready for the Moriconi/Bomben Cup clash
THE annual Moriconi/Bomben Cup returns this Saturday as part of the 2026 Cairns Italian Festival, with Cairns and the Tablelands set to renew one of Far North Queensland’s longest-standing football rivalries.
Players aged over 45 will take to the field at Johnson Road, White Rock, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm, all chasing local bragging rights and the coveted Moriconi/Bomben Cup.
The annual fixture has become a popular feature of the Italian Festival, bringing together former players who continue to share a passion for the game while celebrating the region’s rich Italian football heritage.
Although many of the players retired from competitive football years ago, the rivalry remains as strong as ever. Representing clubs from across Cairns and the Tablelands, they will once again lace up the boots for an afternoon of spirited but friendly competition.
The Moriconi/Bomben Cup honours two families whose contribution to football in Far North Queensland has left a lasting legacy. The match serves as a tribute to the generations of Italian migrants and their families who helped establish and grow the sport throughout the region.
Beyond the result, the annual clash is about friendship, community and the enduring bonds created through football. Former teammates become rivals for 90 minutes before coming together to celebrate the occasion.
With pride on the line and another chapter in the rivalry about to be written, spectators can expect an entertaining contest as Cairns and the Tablelands battle for the 2026 Moriconi/Bomben Cup. Supporters are encouraged to head to Johnson Road on Saturday and enjoy the action.
