The 2018 IQA World Cup will take place in Florence, Italy, between the 27th June and the 2nd July, 2018.

The City of Florence, working in conjunction with the Human Company and the Italian Quidditch Association, was today announced by the IQA as the successful bid to host next year’s world cup. National quidditch teams from around the world, including the UK, Denmark, Malaysia, and the USA will fly to Italy for a chance to be crowned the international champions of the sport.

Australia became the newest international quidditch champions in 2016 after beating two-time previous international champions, the USA, 150* – 130 in the grand final. Team Australia, aka the Dropbears, are keen to defend their title and will stop at nothing to claim back-to-back gold.  With 32 nations planning to attend the tournament, Florence is expected to host the largest international tournament in quidditch history as an expected five hundred players come to the city to compete.

Italy was chosen by the IQA as hosts from amongst highly competitive bids from the USA, the UK, France, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium. With a high-quality venue, great support from the City of Florence, and a detailed plan by the Human Company, it was the best choice for the tournament, the sport, and the community. The IQA will be collaborating closely with a variety of organisations to ensure the success of the tournament.

As a center of history, culture, and art, Florence is all set to support both athletes and spectators, with the support of the City further aiding the attending nations. To coincide with the competition, the Cultural Department of the City of Florence will be organising lectures and special side events in the main historical libraries and other places of cultural interest in town, for all age groups.

* denotes the team which caught the snitch, which is worth 30 points and ends the game