Como Cup: Everything you need to know

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10 hours ago

Crystal Palace are competing in the Como Cup this week, with two games taking place on Tuesday evening in Italy – here's everything you need to know about the week ahead...

What is the Como Cup?

The Como Cup is part of the Football on the Lake event – Como 1907’s summer football, culture and travel event, created to bring clubs, fans and visitors together in one of the most iconic destinations in the game.

Launched in 2025, the first edition brought Ajax, Celtic, Al Ahli and Como 1907 to Lake Como for the inaugural Como Cup, alongside a wider programme of music, city activations, hospitality and fan experiences.

Como won the tournament on home soil, defeating Ajax 3-0 in the final.

What's the format and when do Palace play?

The format has been tweaked for 2026, with six teams separated into two groups of three. Palace have been placed in Group A alongside RC Lens from France and FC Famalicão from Portugal.

The group stage will be played across two evenings, with each group made up of three 45 minute matches. In the event of a draw, the match will be decided by penalty kicks.

Group A will take place on Tuesday evening.

Palace will open up against RC Lens – as new Manager Pierre Sage faces an immediate reunion with his former side. That game takes place at 19:00 local time (18:00 BST).

The Eagles then take on FC Famalicão at 20:30 local time (19:30 BST).

Group B takes place on Wednesday evening featuring hosts Como 1907, Villarreal CF, and AlUla SC. Once again each team will play one another in a 45-minute match.

The final standings in the groups will determine when the teams play again.

Sides finishing third and second will play again on Friday. The two group winners will feature in the Como Cup Final on Saturday (20:00 local time, 19:00 BST).

The final matches will all be 90 minutes long. Once again if the scores are level at full-time the match will go straight to penalties.

Who is in our travelling squad?

A full list of the Palace players in Italy can be found below:

Walter Benítez
Remi Matthews
Lucca Benetton
Joe Whitworth
Rio Cardines
Chris Richards
Jaydee Canvot
Tyrick Mitchell
Borna Sosa
Mofe Jemide
George King
Charlie Walker-Smith
Tayo Adaramola
Dean Benamar
Daichi Kamada
Justin Devenny
Cheick Doucouré
Will Hughes
David Ozoh
Ismaïla Sarr
Romain Esse
Matheus França
Brennan Johnson
Eddie Nketiah
Joél Drakes-Thomas
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

How can I watch Palace's games?

Through Palace TV+, you’ll also be able to watch the Eagles’ three matches in the Como Cup this week, as well as our pre-season finale in Germany against Europa League finalists SC Freiburg in August, the week before the new Premier League season commences.

Our 26/27 pre-season bundle – which costs just £19.99 – grants access to all of the matches live and on-demand (the full 90 minutes), wherever you are in the world, until Wednesday, 19th August 2026.

The pre-season bundle pass is a one-off payment, which does not auto-renew. Please note: this pass only enables access to the live broadcasts and on-demand repeats of the pre-season matches, and not other premium Palace TV content.

Subscribe to Palace TV+

When does open training take place?

Palace will hold one open training session this week. The Eagles will train at FC Chiasso on Thursday, 30th July.

Pierre Sage will be putting the travelling squad through their paces ahead of their third and final game in Como.

Chiasso is a neighbouring town of Como, situated just over the border in Switzerland.

The doors at the Stadio Comunale Riva IV will open at 10:00 (local time – CEST), with the session expected to begin at around 11:00.

The session will last close to 90 minutes in duration. The stadium bar will be open during the session, allowing supporters to purchase refreshments.

What else is going on at Football on the Lake?

The wider festival aims to bring football, music, food, culture and supporters together on the shores of Lake Como.

Near to the stadium hosting the matches, the 'Football Village' will host performances from Becky Hill and various other artists across the week.

There will also be an e-football event taking place as part of the festivities on Tuesday (14:00 local time). Jeff Newton will be representing the Eagles in the first-ever eComo Cup.

Match Details

Crystal Palace v RC Lens

Tuesday, 28th July
18:00 BST
Match length: 45 minutes
Live on Palace TV+
Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium

Crystal Palace v FC Famalicão

Tuesday, 28th July
19:30 BST
Match length: 45 minutes
Live on Palace TV+
Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium

Final game

Opposition: TBC
Either Fri, 31st Jul (17:00 or 19:45) or Sat, 1st Aug (19:00):
Match length: 90 minutes

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