In a high-octane fusion of football and motorsport, Monaco is gearing up for the inaugural Racing Stars Football Cup, taking place on Wednesday, May 21 at 15:00 at Stade Louis II—just days before the Principality hosts the world’s most glamorous race, the Monaco Grand Prix. Reviving a beloved 30-year tradition, this refreshed gala match is being led by Louis Ducruet and the Barbagiuans of Monaco, under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II.
Now in its first official edition, the event brings together stars from both the track and the pitch in support of two causes close to Monaco’s heart: the Jules Bianchi Association and Be Safe Monaco. The match serves as a tribute to the late Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi and supports brain injury care at Archet Hospital in Nice. It also helps raise awareness for road safety, a mission championed by Camille Gottlieb—daughter of Princess Stéphanie—through her association Be Safe Monaco.
On the pitch, spectators can expect an eclectic, star-studded line-up. From the motorsport world, F1 drivers Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, and Isack Hadjar will be trading in helmets for boots, joined by WRC’s Thierry Neuville. They’ll team up with football greats like Ludovic Giuly, Flavio Roma, Javier Chevanton, and the formidable defensive duo of Gaël Givet and Sébastien Squillaci. Making his debuts in this crossover clash is French MMA star Benoît Saint Denis, affectionately nicknamed “God of War”.
The event isn’t just for sports purists—celebrities from music, comedy and fashion are also getting in on the action. Singer Matt Pokora, comedians Paul Mirabel and Ragnar Le Breton, and model Baptiste Giabiconi will all bring added flair to the field.
“This is also what the Barbagiuans are about,” said Ducruet, president of the association since 2020. “We want to innovate and open our doors to elite athletes from all disciplines. It’s part of our evolution.” For Ducruet, who’s long taken part in the match and credits playing alongside his uncle HSH Prince Albert II as a cherished memory, leading this revival is personal. “This match has always meant something. Now, it’s our turn to make it even bigger.”
Event ambassador Mika Häkkinen—two-time Formula 1 World Champion and Monaco GP winner—brings both star power and sentiment to the occasion. “This event is special. It brings people together across sports, generations, and passions,” he said. “And it supports two incredibly meaningful causes. I’m honoured to be involved.”
The family of Mauro Serra, who originally helped establish the match decades ago, has given its full backing to the Barbagiuans’ new vision. “We’re proud to see the tradition live on with the same spirit of camaraderie and charity that drove our father,” said his children Shauna and James.
Admission stands at 10 euros, while children under the age of 12 can attend the match for free. Book online here.
