Harding in Rome at Piazza Mastai with Soccer Boom, StepManiaX and Shooting Legend
On 20 and 21 May 2026, Piazza Mastai in Rome became the “Piazza del Rispetto” — the Square of Respect: two days of listening, dialogue and commitment to combating bullying, cyberbullying and youth distress, organised by ONBD – National Observatory on Bullying and Youth Distress, and promoted by Accademia dei Campioni in collaboration with Adnkronos.
Harding Trading was there with three of its games: Soccer Boom, StepManiaX and the basketball game Shooting Legend.
A connection that started earlier
Our participation was no coincidence. At FEExpo 2026 we had met ONBD and learned about their SAFE PLAY protocol: a project designed to turn arcades into certified, responsible spaces that prioritise the wellbeing of young people. An idea that speaks directly to our world, and one that won us over from the very first moment.
Two days among young people
Throughout the event, Harding’s games were among the most popular on the square: hundreds of young people queuing to play, move, and be together. Alongside them, experts, educators, institutions and the Campioni di Vita — Olympic and Paralympic athletes who took to the stage to share their personal stories.
Seeing so much energy in a space dedicated to respect and prevention confirmed something we have always believed: play, when done right, is already an act of inclusion.
Play as a language
Our games were not there simply as entertainment, but as a testament to how certain values are also built this way: together, moving, playing. And that a healthy play environment can be, in every sense, an educational space.
