On Wednesday, September 30th, Ambassador Alessandro Ferranti attended the official inauguration of the Juventus Football Academy in Armenia. The event was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan; the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan; the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Davit Khudatyan; the Mayor of Yerevan, Tigran Avinyan; the President of the Football Federation of Armenia, Armen Melikbekyan; UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis; Juventus FC Chief Business Officer Peter Silverstone; former Juventus player Fabrizio Ravanelli; and, via video message, Juventus FC legend Giorgio Chiellini.
The Academy currently operates two sports centers, both located in Yerevan: Freedom Arena, a comprehensive multi-purpose complex, and a facility dedicated to accommodations, a gym, and medical examination areas. The project serves as a key landmark for the development of youth football in Armenia and contributes to the strengthening of bilateral relations, while simultaneously consolidating Italy’s visibility and increasingly prominent role in the sports sector.
700 young people are already participating in the Academy’s programs, guided by 15 coaches from the Juventus system who employ a training curriculum inspired by the methods and standards of the Italian school of football. Particular emphasis is placed on inclusion, offering young talents, including those from Armenia’s regions, the opportunity to access training free of charge and travel to Turin to participate in the Juventus Academy World Cup and pursue professional sports careers with European clubs.
The project, launched in May 2025 with a total investment of $20 million, will continue with the construction of a third facility, a sports complex in the municipality of Nor Hachn (Kotayk region), marking another milestone in the Academy’s development project.
This initiative reaffirms the strong ties between Italy and Armenia, including in the field of sports diplomacy, and highlights the potential of public-private partnerships to foster youth development and showcase Italian expertise. Indeed, Italy is solidifying its standing as a preferred partner and key interlocutor in the sports sector and, more broadly, in policies aimed at younger generations.
Ambassador Alessandro Ferranti attends the inauguration ceremony of the Juventus Football Academy Armenia
