The LDP League is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most dynamic platforms in modern flair bartending, with recent stops in Salerno and Turin highlighting both the growth of the discipline and its evolution into a structured, international, and media-driven circuit.
What is becoming increasingly clear is that flair bartending is no longer confined to isolated competitions or niche gatherings. Instead, it is transforming into a connected ecosystem—where performance, community, and content converge. The Salerno and Turin stages offered a compelling snapshot of this shift, each contributing to the League’s emerging identity.
In Salerno, the League set its tone. Twenty-two competitors from across Europe and beyond—including France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sri Lanka, and the Czech Republic—came together in what quickly developed into a high-energy and visually engaging competition. The atmosphere carried the feel of a live performance, where the interaction between flair bartenders and audience became a defining element of the experience. Flair bartending once again demonstrated its unique position at the intersection of sport and entertainment.
The judging panel, composed of Riccardo Mastromatteo, Marco Sdrubolini, and Carmine Liguri, brought both technical expertise and industry perspective, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation of each performance.
At the end of the competition, Ciro Marino emerged as the winner, followed by Alessandro Pizzari in second place and Kiri Lulak in third. Additional recognition was awarded to Stefania Pastore as Best Female, while Kiri Lulak also secured the Best Finest Call Stall Award. More than just a competition, Salerno established the League’s direction: international in scope, engaging in format, and driven by performance quality.
If Salerno laid the foundation, Turin demonstrated what comes next. Participation increased significantly, with thirty-two competitors taking part in a longer and more demanding competition day. Yet despite the scale, the event maintained a strong level of organization and flow, reflecting the League’s growing professionalism and operational structure.
Delivered in collaboration with Sweet & Sour in Turin and LDP, the event combined local expertise with a broader strategic vision. Competitors were equipped with a custom kit, including branded apparel and materials—small details that collectively contribute to elevating the professional identity of the circuit.
On the competitive side, Narcis Dulgheriu of Romania claimed victory, followed by Ciro Marino in second place and Alessandro Pizzari in third. Luana Cerami was awarded Best Female, further reinforcing the increasing visibility and impact of female Flair Bartenders within the community.
Turin also marked an important step beyond competition itself. For the first time, the League introduced a dedicated podcast format integrated directly into the event. By capturing behind-the-scenes moments, interviews with competitors and judges, and real-time reactions, the initiative begins to build a continuous narrative around the League—one that extends far beyond the physical event and into a global digital audience. In doing so, the League is positioning itself not only as a competition circuit, but as an evolving media platform.
Consistency remains a key pillar of the project. Each stop features a €1,500 prize pool, allowing Flair Bartenders to accumulate points toward the final rankings while maintaining a stable competitive structure. However, the scale increases significantly toward the end of the season, with the Grand Final in Salerno set to feature a €10,000 prize pool and be listed as a WFA World Tour Grand Slam event. Across the entire tour, the total prize pool will reach €17,500, underlining the League’s ambition and long-term vision.
Looking ahead, the next stop is expected to take place on May 19th in Milan, with final confirmation to be announced shortly. Following this stage, the League will pause during the summer season before resuming in September. The upcoming calendar is set to include Naples in September, Catania in October, and the Grand Final in Salerno in November, bringing the season to a close where it first began to define itself.
Behind the scenes, the League’s growth is supported by a strong network of partners. Finest Call stands as one of the main sponsors, supporting the tour throughout its entirety, while The Bars provides essential technical support—supplying equipment, organising competition setups, and ensuring operational consistency across all stops. Musa, a Sicilian bitter brand, is also present throughout the League, contributing to its identity and continuity. Alongside them, The Flair Bartending Book accompanies the tour with a dedicated presence at every event, creating a space where competitors, audiences, and brands can connect directly.
These sponsor activations are not simply peripheral elements; they form part of a broader ecosystem in which live experiences, brand interaction, and digital content intersect. Through on-site engagement and extended online exposure—particularly via the newly introduced podcast format—the League is building a model that goes beyond competition alone.
With Salerno and Turin now complete, the LDP League is beginning to take clear shape. What started as a series of events is evolving into a structured and scalable platform with international relevance. The trajectory is evident: a circuit that blends athletic performance with storytelling, community, and media.
If the early stages are any indication, the LDP League is not just growing—it is redefining what flair bartending can become in Italy.
The season has only just begun.
By WFA Editorial Team
