PERUGIA/STARNBERG, May 12, 2026
The road from the Internazionali BNL d’Italia to the Internazionali di Tennis Città di Perugia | G.I.Ma. Tennis Cup has never felt shorter. Scheduled from May 31 to June 7 at Tennis Club Perugia, the 2026 edition of the ATP Challenger 125 event once again promises a high-level field filled with players who have recently impressed on the clay courts of the Foro Italico.
Leading the entry list is world No. 67 Thiago Agustin Tirante of Argentina, fresh off his notable victory over Flavio Cobolli in Rome. The tournament also welcomes defending champion Andrea Pellegrino, who arrives in Perugia in the best form of his career after a breakthrough run at the Italian Masters 1000 event, where he defeated both Arthur Fils and Frances Tiafoe.
Italian tennis will once again take center stage in Umbria, with eight home players currently entered in the main draw. Among them are Matteo Arnaldi, recent Challenger champion in Cagliari, as well as Francesco Maestrelli, Francesco Passaro, Luca Nardi, Marco Cecchinato, Stefano Travaglia and Gianluca Cadenasso.
The international field also includes world No. 69 Valentin Royer, while Spanish talents Daniel Merida and Pablo Llamas Ruiz arrive with growing reputations after excellent recent performances on the ATP Tour. Merida has enjoyed a breakthrough season that included a Challenger title in Tenerife and impressive qualifying runs in both Madrid and Rome. Llamas Ruiz, meanwhile, pushed Daniil Medvedev to the limit in Rome and came within one set of a major upset.
The event’s earlier calendar position in 2026, running alongside the second week of Roland Garros, could also open the door for late additions and surprise appearances depending on results in Paris.
Perugia mayor Vittoria Ferdinandi praised the tournament’s importance for the city, calling it “a symbol of an open and welcoming Perugia capable of connecting with the world through sport.” Tournament partners and organizers also emphasized the event’s continued growth and strong bond with Italian tennis.
Former world No. 21 Francesco Cancellotti believes the level of competition could become even stronger this year due to the unique scheduling overlap with Roland Garros, potentially attracting additional top players to Umbria.
