Chieti

Chieti is the capital of the eponymous province in the Abruzzo region, in central-southern Italy. With around 48,700 inhabitants, the city sits on a hill 330 metres above sea level, with views of the Adriatic Sea and the Gran Sasso massif. Of Samnite origin and later a significant Roman municipality—the ancient Teate Marrucinorum—it preserves an outstanding archaeological and monumental heritage, including the Museo Nazionale Archeologico La Civitella, regarded as one of the most important in central-southern Italy, as well as remains of Roman theatres and thermal baths. The city is home to one of Abruzzo's oldest universities, the Università degli Studi 'Gabriele d'Annunzio', which enriches its cultural and intellectual life.

In the sporting arena, Chieti was designated European City of Sport 2025 by ACES Europe, sharing the accolade with seven other Italian cities. The candidacy dossier highlighted sport as a social and inclusive factor, framing the city within a territory of remarkable geographical richness between the Majella, the Gran Sasso, and the Trabocchi coast, which encourages practice of multiple disciplines: hiking, climbing, mountain cycling, athletics, team sports, and nautical activities along the Adriatic coastline, barely half an hour away.