Trophy of the Lake

“They won’t just be lifting a trophy—they’ll be lifting a piece of Lake Como itself.”

“The Como Cup represents the perfect combination of local craftsmanship and international vision.”

This summer, football finds its most beautiful home. For the first time, a summer friendly tournament and festival is being held in Como. Football On The Lake is a five-day celebration of world-class matches, music, culinary events, and waterfront experiences, all unfolding against Italy’s most picturesque backdrop. At its centre stands a new tradition: the Como Cup.

The tournament welcomes Dutch powerhouses Ajax, Saudi Arabia’s AFC Champions League winners Al-Ahli, Scottish giants Celtic FC, and Como 1907—fresh from their return to Serie A—to the club’s lakeside stadium. But this is more than a competition. It’s a celebration. Pop-ups animate the piazzas. DJ sets echo off the water. The city buzzes with the energy of international fans. And at the heart of it all stands a singular symbol: the Como Cup itself.

This is no generic silverware. The Como Cup is a work of art.

Crafted by the renowned artisans of CEDAP, a historic design and metalwork studio based in the Como region, the trophy embodies both the legacy and the ambition of the event. “The Como region has always been a hub for engravers, metal spinners, and highly skilled craftsmen specializing in the creation of metal objects for awards, home décor, and lighting—items exported worldwide. Our bond with the territory is essential, and collaborating with a local institution like Como 1907 is a source of great pride. We were thrilled to be contacted and to have started what we hope will be a long-lasting and fruitful partnership,” says Michele Benacci from CEDAP.

CEDAP was established in 1985 thanks to an entrepreneurial initiative by its founder, Ezio Benacci, who had already been working since the early 1960s as a department head at what was then the global leader in the industry. “At the end of the 1990s, that very company was acquired by us, marking a significant milestone in our growth journey,” says Michele.

Their trajectory has since included some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events and organisations: from the Ferrari Challenge, MotoGP and Formula 1, to the NBA, Nascar, Rally di Sardegna, and Italian football icons like FC Inter and AC Milan (including the Berlusconi Trophy).

“Working with Como 1907 allows us to contribute to an ambitious project that’s deeply rooted in our local community. This collaboration adds to our long list of prestigious partners… The Como Cup 2025 represents the perfect combination of local craftsmanship and international vision,” says Michele.

The trophy itself is the product of a multi-step artisanal process. “The production process for the Como Cup trophy began with a concept image we received. From there, we developed the molds used to spin the cup and base. The handles were completely hand-modeled and then forged in a brass alloy. Finally, the logo—drawing inspiration from Como 1907’s emblem—was developed using computer graphics and CNC-milled from solid metal. It’s a creation that perfectly blends artisanal tradition with technological precision,” adds Michele.

For CEDAP, the interplay between craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation is central to their identity. “Craftsmanship is at the core of our production process. It’s what allows us to remain competitive in a globalized market, offering products that are both unique and distinctive. Tradition and innovation go hand in hand every day: on one side, we preserve time-honored techniques; on the other, we continually invest in new technologies to ensure quality, precision, and originality.”

In a summer defined by spectacle, the Como Cup is the object everyone wants to hold. But only one team will take it home. And when they do, they won’t just be lifting a trophy — they’ll be lifting a piece of Lake Como itself.