Why this European sport is taking over Birmingham + where you can play right now

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Bocce and boccia both come from ancient European games where players rolled balls across sand or dirt.

Today, one is played in casual spots like backyards, city parks and even luxe rooftop bars. The other trains athletes for the Paralympics.

Read on to learn why both are taking off in Birmingham this summer.

First, some bocce ball basics

Here’s how bocce works, generally:

• Players stand behind a line and use an underhanded roll or toss to propel a ball toward a small white target ball, called a “pallino.”
• The goal: Get your ball closest to the pallino to earn points each round.
• The first team to reach a set number of points wins.
• In case you’re wondering, yes, players can knock opponents’ balls out of the way.

Backyard bocce doesn’t even require a court, just a set of bocce balls, a flat surface and two to eight players. (A typical set has eight balls besides the pallino.) Bocce court play gets a little more complex with end lines, side lines and foul lines.

Recently, members of our team gathered at City Walk BHAM to try our hand at the court there. After we brushed up on basics, we were fortunate to be joined by folks from the Lakeshore Foundation, home of Boccia United States, to take our learning next level.

They shared insights about how bocce evolved to boccia, playing by different rules and changing lives.

So what is boccia, then?

While very similar to bocce ball, boccia is a precision ball sport developed for athletes who have disabilities. Players can throw, kick or use a ramp to launch the balls toward the target, with the closest winning the round.

Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham is where the country’s top boccia athletes train to go for the gold at the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles. Since boccia made its debut at the 1984 Paralympics, the US has won seven medals, and people in over 50 countries practice it today.

“Boccia is considered the fastest growing sport in the Paralympic movement and is one of the most accessible sports. I heard someone describe it as a combination of chess and curling because it requires a lot of precision and strategic thought.

“Boccia, like bocce, builds a sense of community and competition, and people like that.”
_{Terry Schrimscher, Lakeshore Foundation Associate Director of Communications}

👀 Don’t Miss: Want to see the top boccia players from around the country compete? Catch the 10th Anniversary USA National Boccia Championships right here in Birmingham at Lakeshore Foundation, July 30-August 3.

Get an exclusive national championship preview

To support Bocce United States heading into the LA28 Games, Lakeshore Foundation and the Italian American Heritage Society have partnered to raise awareness and funds. Lakeshore partnered with the IAHS in sponsoring the bocce tournament at Festa Italiana this year, and the groups are working together on a new event later this summer.

The early evening social, called Grapes, Games and Gold, will be held at Lakeshore’s beautiful campus and includes:

🍇 Sipping Italian wine
🇺🇸 Watching boccia demonstrations by Team USA
🔴 Trying boccia yourself—for fun or on a company team (See below for sponsorship details.)
🏅 Supporting United States Boccia + its athletes

“Supporting Boccia United States is so important to our athletes as we look toward LA28. Boccia players often incur greater expenses than other athletes due to higher costs of travel to competitions and expensive equipment. We are committed to equipping them for success and are grateful to our many supporters working to make LA28 a place to shine for all of our athletes.”
_{Chris Thomason, Lakeshore Foundation Chief Advancement Officer}

Watch, play for fun or compete

Is your work team a bit competitive? This event has a unique outlet for a little team building while putting your skills to the test for a great purpose.

See the info below to contact Lakeshore Foundation about sponsorship opportunities. Team entries are exclusive to sponsorship benefits. (There are several options available!)

Meanwhile, ALL are welcome to attend and watch for wine, sport and support!

• Where: Lakeshore Foundation, 4000 Ridgeway Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209
• When: July 28, 2025 | 6-8PM
  • VIP + Sponsors Reception: 5:30PM
• Ticket details + sponsorship opportunities: Contact Edward Reynolds, edwardr@lakeshore.org or Chris Thomason, christophert@lakeshore.org

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