Teams

Partenariato Ticino

Starting from the 2026/27 season, FC Lugano has taken responsibility for the management of elite youth football in Ticino, establishing the new Partenariato Ticino.

The project brings together the main activities dedicated to the development of young footballers across the Canton within a single structure, with the aim of ensuring a consistent, well-organised development pathway aligned with the standards of the Swiss Football Association.

Within this model, FC Lugano acts as the club responsible for the partnership, while U.S. Giubiasco serves as the label partner for Sopraceneri, contributing to the management and development of youth teams in the region.

A structure for youth football in Ticino

The Partenariato Ticino is built on an organisation designed to support young footballers throughout the different stages of their development, through a coordinated technical and sporting structure.

The project includes the U19, U17 and U16 teams, the U15 categories and the Footeco programme (FE-14, FE-13 and FE-12), with a geographical structure covering both Sottoceneri and Sopraceneri.

Development pyramid

The development pyramid illustrates the sporting progression of young footballers in Ticino, from the Footeco categories through to the U21 team and the First Team.

The pathway begins with the FE12, FE13 and FE14 teams, representing the first structured stages of technical and sporting development. The U15 category marks a key transition: a turning point between the Footeco programme and entry into elite youth football, with progressively higher standards of training, competition and selection. From there, players continue their development through the U16, U17, U19 and U21 levels, preparing the most promising talents for the transition to senior football.

Geographical distribution

The geographical distribution of the partnership structures the development pathway across Sottoceneri and Sopraceneri, making the most of the main sports facilities throughout Ticino.

The Lugano area is centred around the Centro Sportivo al Maglio, where Footeco Lugano, U15 Sottoceneri and the Bianconeri U16, U17 and U19 teams train. In Sopraceneri, the development pathway is organised around two hubs: the Centro Sportivo Tenero, home to Footeco Locarnese, and the Centro Sportivo Bellinzona Sport, which serves as the base for Footeco Bellinzonese and U15 Sopraceneri.