On Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 9:30, the “Gioia di vivere” Community Center (Via Don Luigi Sturzo, 18) transforms into strategy headquarters. The M.A.T.C.H. is the appointment that has now become a benchmark for anyone in Puglia looking for a day that stands out from the usual game night. The event, patronized by the Municipality of Polignano a Mare, stems from the desire to network among five organizations from the southern Bari area that live and breathe board games: Homo Ludens (Bachi da Setola), 99 Corsari, Alea 51, La Tana dei Goblin Bari and La Tavola Gioconda.
The M.A.T.C.H. format: time and strategy
We know very well that the first doubt of anyone seeing an event like this is: “Do I absolutely need a group?”. The answer is a flat no. M.A.T.C.H. was created precisely to mix up the tables and introduce people coming from different provinces. If you come alone, we will find the right spot for you; if you come with friends, we will help you get your preferred challenge to the table.
Admission is free and open to all, but to avoid chaos and make sure everyone has a chair and a table ready, booking via private message (DM) is strongly recommended. It is the fastest way to tell us who you are, what time you plan to arrive, and if you have any "monster" titles you are dying to play. You can write to us directly here:
👉 [Send us a DM on Instagram]
👉 [Contact us on Facebook]
Why M.A.T.C.H. is different from the usual game nights
The heart of this format is time. How many times have you given up on a game because “it's too late now and we'll never finish”? Well, on May 17, this problem does not exist. From 9:30 AM until evening, we will have all the necessary space to table the “heavyweights” : complex Eurogames, American style, GMT, and endless management games. These are those titles that give you massive satisfaction but require hours of calm to be enjoyed until the very last move.
Precisely because of the "demanding" nature of these games, we designed the event as an experience tailored for adults (recommended for ages 17 and up). It is not a matter of being dead serious or staying in silence — on the contrary, between turns there is never a shortage of laughter and banter — but simply wanting to offer participants the chance to completely immerse themselves in structured rulebooks and long challenges. It is the right place for those who want to raise the bar and discover the deepest and most satisfying side of the world of board games in Polignano a Mare.
Homo Ludens and the spirit of Casa Bachi
Doing the honors is the community of Homo Ludens, which for years has found its ideal haven at Casa Bachi. For us, gaming is not just a pastime, but the best way we know to build bonds and community. We believe in a colloquial and inclusive approach: we don't care if you are a wargaming veteran or if you just found out that board games aren't just Monopoly. What matters is the desire to sit down, listen to an explanation, and get involved.
This is the vision we carry forward every week, not just during M.A.T.C.H. Every Thursday from 8:30 PM, we meet at Casa Bachi for our weekly game nights. It is the community's fixed appointment where the game library of nearly 200 titles is always open to everyone. If you want to drop by and get to know us better before the Sunday marathon, Thursday is the perfect time to grab a drink together and start rolling some dice.
A Sunday of strategy and new friendships
Collaborating with partners like Alea 51, 99 Corsari, La Tana dei Goblin Bari, and La Tavola Gioconda allows us to combine amazing game libraries and diverse expertise. On July 5 , you will have experts at your disposal ready to explain every setup and guide you through the tables. It is not a tournament where you win a prize, but a day where you win the opportunity to discover new games and, above all, new people to share this passion with even after the event ends.
From 9:30 AM we await you at the “Gioia di vivere” Community Center. Bring your curiosity, your desire to win (or to lose with style), and get ready for a day you will hardly forget.
Don't just look at the photos the next day: write to Homo Ludens on social media and secure your spot at the table!
