The Hospitality Cup, a mixed-gender soccer tournament created specifically for restaurant and hospitality workers, is expanding its footprint in 2026 with six tournaments across two continents as it builds momentum around mental health and wellness in the industry.
The Melbourne-born competition will host three US events; New York City (1 June), Austin (28 September), and Miami (9 November), alongside three Australian tournaments in Melbourne (2 March), the Gold Coast (20 April), and Sydney (7 September).
Founded in 2023 by Jean-Baptiste Dumas of Melbourne’s France-Soir restaurant, the tournament emerged in response to the hospitality industry’s well-documented mental health crisis.
Long hours, high-pressure environments, and emotionally demanding work have contributed to widespread burnout and chronic stress among restaurant workers.
“The industry is built on people, yet we often overlook the toll this work can take,” Dumas said. “The Hospitality Cup exists to bring teams together outside of service, to reconnect through something positive and physical, and to remind people that their wellbeing matters just as much as the work they do.”
Deliberately inclusive and welcoming
The tournament’s format is deliberately inclusive, welcoming mixed teams of chefs, servers, managers, and support staff regardless of soccer experience or skill level. That approach has attracted participation from prominent hospitality groups in Australia, including Merivale, Aria, Icebergs, DOC Pizza, and Freddie’s Pizza, as well as US participants following the inaugural Austin event in 2025.
Beyond the matches themselves, The Hospitality Cup incorporates brand partnerships and fundraising initiatives aligned with its mental health mission. Premium sponsors like Taittinger Champagne provide on-site activations, while fundraising supports mental health organizations including R U OK?.
The expansion comes as the restaurant industry continues grappling with workforce challenges, from staffing shortages to employee retention. Mental health has emerged as a critical factor, with surveys consistently showing hospitality workers experience higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to other sectors.
More information is available at hospitalitycup.com
