Experiencing a soccer game in Italy is an exhilarating opportunity to immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture. Imagine the excitement of the crowd, the vibrant green pitch, and the passionate chants—all tutto in Italiano. Attending a football match offers a chance to step away from the usual tourist spots of monuments and museums, allowing you to mingle with locals in an authentic, passionate, and familial setting.
If you’ve ever been to a sporting event in a stadium, you know there’s nothing quite like walking up those steps to see the arena and the crowd unfold before you. The thrill of sharing the moment when your team scores, joining in the exhilarating call-and-response with the stadium announcer, is an unforgettable experience.
While attending a football match in Italy might seem intimidating—especially if you don’t speak Italian—it’s well worth the effort to fit it into your travel itinerary, particularly if you’re traveling with a calcio enthusiast.
Over the years, many readers have sought my advice on seeing a soccer match in Italy. Therefore, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide.
Serie A
Serie A is Italy’s top-tier soccer league, widely followed by fans across the nation.
The league comprises 20 teams, each facing every other team twice during the season—once at home and once away. The season typically runs from August/September to late May/early June, with breaks for international competitions like the Euro Cup and World Cup qualifiers. This results in about 10 months of the year when you can catch a Serie A game.
For the latest news on Serie A, check out Gazzetta dello Sport (Italian), ESPN, and IFTV on Instagram.
For schedules and additional information, consult the official Serie A website or the individual team websites linked below.
Serie A Teams | 2024/2025 Season
- AC Milan
- Atalanta
- Bologna
- Cagliari
- Como
- Empoli
- Fiorentina
- Genoa
- Inter Milan
- Juventus
- Lazio
- Lecce
- Monza
- Napoli
- Parma
- Roma
- Torino
- Udinese
- Venezia
- Verona
Which Serie A Team Should You See?
Deciding which team to watch can be tricky due to ticket availability and your travel plans.
If you’re visiting Florence, consider catching a Fiorentina match. Empoli is another option in Tuscany.
In Naples, check out Napoli. Rome offers two teams: Roma and Lazio, while larger cities like Milan have both AC Milan and Inter; Torino has Juventus. I suggest outlining your travel objectives first, then making a decision. Keep in mind that tickets are usually released to the public only two weeks to a month prior to matches, which can complicate itinerary planning—so plan for a bit of flexibility.
Champions League and Europa League Matches
You can also watch Champions League and Europa League matches in Italy.
Typically, the top four teams from Serie A compete in the Champions League against elite clubs from other European leagues.
The Europa League involves the fifth- and sixth-place Serie A teams and clubs that fail to advance beyond the Champions League group stage.
Tickets for these prestigious matches are generally more expensive and harder to find compared to regular Serie A games.
Fans who possess a loyalty card for their favorite Italian team—commonly available from Ticketone or VivaTicket—are given priority for Champions League and Europa League tickets. Additionally, you’ll find tickets available on secondary sales platforms like ViaGoGo.
Serie B, Serie C, and Serie D
While many people inquire about Serie A games in Italy, there are also lower-tier leagues.
Serie B, C, and D form a developmental ladder of home-grown talent that feeds into Serie A and beyond.
Lega B, known as Serie B, is Italy’s secondary league. It has a season that aligns closely with Serie A. The clubs in Lega B strive for promotion to Serie A.
The top three Serie B teams, determined through a playoff, get promoted to Serie A each year, while the bottom three teams from Serie A drop into Serie B.
Furthermore, the bottom three Serie B teams get relegated to Serie C, and this pattern continues further down. I appreciate the grassroots feel of Serie B; it offers a no-frills football experience. Tickets for many Serie B matches can be found online through club sites or secondary ticketing platforms like VivaTicket, ViaGoGo, or StubHub.
Serie C and Serie D
If you’re keen on experiencing lower-profile football, Serie C and Serie D leagues are occupied by teams from smaller Italian towns. Serie C, also called Lega Pro, is divided into three groups (Girone A, Girone B, Girone C) of 20 teams each. Serie D, under the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti, has 166 teams spread across nine groups.
There’s plenty of soccer action in Italy! If you’re interested in attending a Serie B, C, or D match, check the individual team websites for ticket availability. Many lower-tier teams often offer tickets for same-day matches. You may also find resale options on platforms like ViaGoGo or VivaTicket.
Other Tournaments and Friendlies
Coppa Italia
Organized by Serie A, the Coppa Italia features 44 teams from Italy’s primary three leagues—20 from Serie A, 20 from Serie B, and the top four from Serie C.
This knockout tournament begins with lower-ranked teams and sees the top eight Serie A teams enter during the round of 16. Although this format favors larger teams, it allows for potential “Cinderella” stories.
The Coppa Italia commences in August (around the same time as Serie A) and matches are held throughout the year, often on weeknights. The final takes place in May at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico. Tickets for Coppa Italia matches are available through participating team websites or platforms like ViaGoGo.
Supercoppa Italiana
The Supercoppa Italiana is a single match that brings together the previous season’s Serie A champion and Coppa Italia winner. If a team has won both titles, the match is held between the Coppa Italia champion and the runner-up, essentially rematching the previous year’s final.
This event usually occurs in winter and has frequently taken place outside of Italy in recent years to promote Serie A. Accordingly, it may not be the best choice for those interested in watching a league match in Italy.
Friendlies/Amichevoli
Lastly, there are friendly matches—referred to as amichevoli in Italian. You can find out about upcoming friendlies by checking the website of the Italian team you’re interested in.
Friendlies often occur during the off season, such as in July and early August. I’ve attended a couple of friendlies in Rome hosted by AS Roma, both of which were festive and enjoyable.
Primavera League
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the Primavera League! Named after the Italian word for spring, the Campionato Primavera is a tournament for under-19 teams from Serie A (and some Serie B) clubs. Most Serie A teams provide details about their Primavera squads and matches on their websites.
The Italian National Team – Gli Azzurri and Le Azzurre
The Italian National Team (Nazionale di Calcio dell’Italiana) is affectionately known as Gli Azzurri (the Blues), reflecting the blue jerseys they typically wear during competitions.
You might be fortunate enough to be in Italy while the National Team is playing, whether for World Cup or Euro Cup qualifiers, exhibition matches, or friendlies.
Tickets for the Italian National team’s matches can be acquired through Italian ticketing platforms like Vivaticket and Ticketone, as well as from secondary sellers like StubHub or ViaGoGo, or directly from the FIGC, the governing body for Italian football. This includes tickets for both the men’s and women’s national teams (Le Azzurre), U-16, U-17, and U-18 teams, and the national futsal team.
UEFA Euro Cup
The next UEFA European Championship—fondly called “the Euros”—is scheduled to take place from June 09 to July 09, 2028, in the UK and Ireland.
FIFA World Cup
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
How to Get Tickets for a Soccer Match in Italy
Should I Buy Tickets Before Traveling?
If you’re planning to attend a soccer game while in Italy, it’s advisable to purchase your tickets online prior to your trip. Visit the official website of the team you wish to see to review their game schedule or consult the Serie A schedule against your travel plans. Keep in mind that the first team listed is always the home team.
In my experience, purchasing tickets directly from the club is usually easier and often cheaper, as they maintain greater control over ticket sales. However, not all Serie A teams offer tickets for sale on their websites. In such cases, you’ll need to acquire tickets from a physical location or through a secondary seller.
For single-match tickets, consider checking resale sites like ViaGoGo, Ticombo, or StubHub. Authorized online ticketing sites for Serie A, like TicketOne and VivaTicket, also offer season ticket packages and individual tickets for numerous teams.
Bear in mind that most clubs typically release tickets for purchase about one month to two weeks before each match, which can be frustrating if you’re eager to finalize your plans well in advance. This is where secondary sellers, like ViaGoGo or StubHub, come into play; the tickets available on these sites are often sourced from long-time season ticket holders or corporate accounts.
Can I Buy Tickets at the Stadium?
Yes, you can purchase tickets in person—even on the match day—for certain teams. Many clubs have a store in the city center where you can buy tickets (if there are any left). Stadium ticket counters usually open only on match day, a couple of hours before kick-off. However, if you’re set on going to a match, it’s best not to wait until the day of the game to secure your tickets.
Additional Ticket and Fan Experience Resources
While writing and updating this guide, I discovered several options for purchasing tickets. If the team websites or ViaGoGo don’t meet your needs, consider these alternatives.
If you have any other resources to suggest, please reach out!
- If you’re trying to buy tickets for a Napoli match, Michele in Naples can assist. His Twitter handle is @napolitickets. He helps fans secure home and away tickets for a nominal fee.
- For Juventus fans, reach out to Maurizio at Around Turin for insights on obtaining tickets and joining a game with fellow Juve supporters, along with many pre-game activities.
Other Considerations When Watching a Soccer Game in Italy
When Does the Soccer Season Take Place in Italy?
Italy’s professional football leagues typically operate from late August through late May.
Most Serie A matches occur on Sundays, with a handful on Saturdays and Mondays. Serie B games primarily take place on Saturdays, with a few notable matches on Fridays and Sundays. Other leagues generally follow a weekend schedule as well.
The Champions League and Euro League tournaments run from mid-September through mid-June, usually held on weekday evenings to avoid conflicting with participating clubs’ league schedules.
Serie A and lower leagues may occasionally have mid-week matches due to Coppa Italia games, during holiday weekend build-ups, or to reschedule postponed matches from bad weather or other events. Major holidays, like Christmas, are typically free from matches to allow players, coaches, referees, and fans to be with their families.
There are integrated breaks in the regular season for “international breaks,” allowing qualifying players to participate with their national teams in Euro Cup or World Cup qualifiers.
Here are some quick links to relevant schedules:
Is It Safe to Attend a Soccer Game in Italy?
I’ve felt completely safe at every game I’ve attended, even when bringing my children along. However, this doesn’t guarantee that every match or stadium will be safe at all times. Use common sense—avoid wearing the opposing team’s jersey in the home section, for example.
Keep in mind that all soccer tickets in Italy must be registered to a name, and you will need to present your ID at the stadium entrance.
Is Food Available at the Stadium?
While Italy is renowned for its culinary offerings, food at stadiums tends to be a secondary consideration. It’s quite common for fans to bring their own snacks or sandwiches to enjoy during halftime. However, some stands within the stadiums do offer a limited selection, including chips and crackers, alongside beverages like beer, soda, and water.
Of course, as with most sporting venues, you’ll find food vendors outside the stadium before and after matches, selling local street snacks like pizza and sandwiches.
Can You Buy Team Merchandise at the Stadium?
This varies by location. During my visits to Stadio Olimpico in Rome and Juventus Stadium in Turin, I noticed some small stands inside selling official merchandise, alongside numerous vendors selling replica shirts and scarves outside. Most teams rely on official team stores, typically located in the city center, to sell fan gear. For the best selection and to ensure you look the part at the game, it’s wise to purchase your merchandise ahead of time, either at a team store or online.
Last updated on September 17th, 2024
Post first published on August 1, 2023
