This September, two of the most decorated water polo clubs in history—Italy’s Pro Recco and Hungary’s Ferencváros (FTC-Telekom)—will bring their legendary rivalry across the Atlantic for a groundbreaking series of matches in the United States.
These fixtures mark the first time elite European clubs will face off in official competition on American soil, an unprecedented moment in the globalisation of the sport. The two-match series will begin in New York, followed by a second game in Princeton, New Jersey, promising to deliver elite water polo to a new and growing fan base.
Two Giants of the Game
Pro Recco, based in the coastal town of Recco, Liguria, is the most successful club in the history of men’s water polo. Since its founding in 1913, Recco has amassed a record-breaking trophy cabinet: 11 Champions League titles, 9 LEN Super Cups, 37 Italian league titles, and 18 Coppa Italia wins. Most recently, Recco completed its collection by winning the 2025 Euro Cup, the final major title that had eluded them..
Facing them is a team that has not only matched their ambition in recent years but also denied them the sport’s ultimate prize in the latest Champions League final.
FTC-Telekom, Hungary’s most successful club, is no stranger to the sport’s biggest stages. Founded in 1904, the Budapest-based team, affectionately known as Fradi, has won 27 Hungarian league titles, 24 national cups, and a remarkable five LEN Super Cups. FTC’s golden era has coincided with their rise on the continental stage, claiming Champions League titles in 2019 and 2024, and reaching the final again in 2021.
Led by coach Balázs Nyéki, Ferencváros blends Hungary’s deep-rooted water polo tradition with modern flair. Their recent 12–11 victory over Recco in the 2024 Champions League final showed not only their tactical brilliance but also their mental toughness—proving the Italians are not untouchable.
A Rivalry Renewed, Far From Home
The Recco–Fradi rivalry has emerged as one of the defining narratives in the Champions League over the past five seasons. The two sides have shared five major continental titles since 2019 and met in two recent Champions League finals. Recco triumphed in 2021; Fradi exacted revenge in 2024.
With the scoreboard tied in championship finals, the U.S. series offers another chapter—though this time in a radically new context. These matches are about more than just wins and losses; they represent a shared mission to expand the reach of water polo, especially in the American market where enthusiasm for the sport is building rapidly.
In a joint statement, the clubs said:
“This is more than just a pair of games. It’s a celebration of excellence in water polo—and a unique opportunity to promote the sport in the United States, where interest is growing fast.”
What’s Next?
While exact dates, venues, and ticket information are expected soon, the buzz is already building. Whether you support the white-and-blue giants of Liguria or the green-and-white warriors of Budapest, one thing is clear: the best of water polo is coming to America.
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