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In-person eventsChicago

Heritage is something you show up for.

Hardcore Italians started online. The culture doesn't live there. It lives at the table, in the stands, and on the bocce court. These are the events where we get together in person and keep it going.

Blackhawks Heritage Game Bocce Tournament

What's next

Every upcoming event and booth stop, in date order

  • Sep4–6

    Taste of Melrose ParkFree

    Labor Day weekend. Fri 5:30 to 11 PM, Sat and Sun noon to 11 PM. Come find the booth for festival-only merch and giveaways. We'll post the booth spot on our socials the week of.
    Add to Calendar
  • Oct10

    Columbus Classic Bocce TournamentTicketed

    Elmwood Park Rec Center, 8 AM to 6 PM. Teams of four, over $4,000 in cash prizes, food and raffles all day. Spots are limited.
    Get Tickets
  • Oct25

    Blackhawks Italian Heritage GameTicketed

    United Center, 2 PM. Game ticket, exclusive hoodie and cap, raffles, and a pregame lunch at Pompei on Taylor. $100 per person.
    Get Tickets

Also in the works

  • Chicago Wolves Heritage NightIn talks with the Wolves. Details drop here first.
  • "I Play Rocky" Watch PartyThe movie hits theaters November 6. Stay tuned.

The booth already hit Old Town Italian Fest (Aug 8) and Festa on Taylor Street (Aug 13 to 16) this summer.

Columbus Classic Bocce Tournament

Saturday, October 10 · Elmwood Park Rec Center

Year three. The Bocce Bros took the first-ever $2,000 check in 2024, Cinque Punti answered in 2025, and both years sold out. Bring three people you trust with a bocce ball and come get your name on a check.

When
Saturday, October 10. Doors 7:30 AM, play 8 AM to 6 PM
Where
Elmwood Park Community & Recreation Center, 4 Conti Parkway
Teams
Four players per team, brackets all day
Prizes
Over $4,000 in cash, plus trophies in every division
On site
Food, drinks, raffles, and the merch booth
$4,000+in cash prizes

Registration is per team on Eventbrite. Spots are limited and both previous years sold out.

Get Tickets Sponsor the Classic

Blackhawks Italian Heritage Game

Sunday, October 25 · 2 PM · United Center · Blackhawks vs. Panthers

Year three of a tradition. Over 160 of us took over the stands in matching gear in 2024, and Chris Chelios pulled up in 2025. One price covers the whole day: lunch on Taylor Street, the game, and the gear.

  • Ticket to the game
  • Limited-edition Blackhawks Italian hoodie
  • Limited-edition Blackhawks Italian cap
  • Ticket to special raffles
  • Pregame lunch and festivities at Pompei on Taylor
$100per person, paid by Zelle

Questions? Email events@hardcoreitalians.com.

Request your tickets

Fill this out and hit send. It opens an email to us with your order, and we'll confirm your spot.

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Total Due$200

How payment works: after you send the request, Zelle $100 per ticket to 708-705-4441. Your spot is locked in once payment lands.

"Send" opens your email app with the request filled out and addressed to events@hardcoreitalians.com.

Past events

Pick the event you were at. Tap any photo to see it full size and find yourself in the crowd.

Blackhawks Italian Heritage Night 2025, United Center. Year two, and Chris Chelios came through.

Columbus Classic 2025, Elmwood Park. Cinque Punti took the $2,000 check.

Blackhawks Italian Heritage Night 2024, United Center. Over 160 of us in matching gear. The night that started the tradition.