What Happened to Parma Calcio 1913?
Parma Calcio 1913 is an Italian professional football club with a storied past marked by significant success, two major financial collapses, and remarkable resurrections. After being declared bankrupt in 2015 and refounded in Serie D, the club achieved three consecutive promotions to return to Serie A in 2018, and after a brief relegation, they are currently competing in Italy's top flight as of the 2026-2027 season.
Quick Answer
Parma Calcio 1913 experienced a dramatic fall from grace, including two bankruptcies in 2004 and 2015, after a golden era in the 1990s. Following its refounding in 2015, the club achieved a historic three consecutive promotions, returning to Serie A in 2018. After a relegation in 2021, Parma won Serie B in the 2023-2024 season, securing promotion back to Serie A. As of August 2026, Parma Calcio 1913 is competing in Serie A, having finished 13th in the 2025-2026 season, and is preparing for the 2026-2027 campaign under coach Carlos Cuesta and owner Kyle Krause.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Club Founded
Parma Football Club is founded, beginning its long history in Italian football.
First Major Trophy (Coppa Italia)
Parma wins its first major trophy, the Coppa Italia, marking the beginning of its 'golden era' under the financial backing of Parmalat.
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Victory
The club achieves international success by winning the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
First UEFA Cup Triumph
Parma secures its first UEFA Cup title, solidifying its status as a European contender.
Second UEFA Cup Victory
The club wins its second UEFA Cup, along with another Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana.
Parmalat Scandal and Insolvency
The Parmalat financial scandal erupts, revealing massive debt and leading to the company's collapse and Parma FC's insolvency.
Club Declared Bankrupt
Parma FC is declared bankrupt with over €200 million in debt, leading to its relegation from Serie A and refounding.
Refounded as Parma Calcio 1913
A new club, Parma Calcio 1913, is approved to compete in Serie D, backed by local businessmen.
Return to Serie A
Parma achieves a historic third consecutive promotion, returning to Serie A just three years after its refounding in Serie D.
Krause Group Acquires Majority Stake
American billionaire Kyle Krause, through the Krause Group, acquires a majority stake in Parma Calcio 1913, becoming the club's new owner and president.
Relegation to Serie B
Parma is relegated to Serie B after finishing last in the Serie A table.
Promotion to Serie A (2023-2024 Season)
Parma wins the Serie B title under coach Fabio Pecchia, securing promotion back to Serie A after a three-year absence.
Secures Serie A Status (2024-2025 Season)
Parma finishes the 2024-2025 Serie A season in 16th place, ensuring their stay in the top flight.
Finishes 13th in Serie A (2025-2026 Season)
Parma Calcio 1913 concludes the 2025-2026 Serie A season in 13th position.
Starts 2026-2027 Serie A Season
Parma Calcio 1913 is scheduled to kick off their 2026-2027 Serie A campaign with a home match against Cagliari. Carlos Cuesta is the new head coach.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Parma Calcio 1913, often referred to simply as Parma, boasts a rich and tumultuous history. Founded in 1913, the club rose to prominence in the 1990s, becoming one of Italy's 'Seven Sisters' and a European powerhouse. During this golden era, financed by the Parmalat food corporation, Parma secured eight major trophies between 1992 and 2002, including three Coppa Italia titles, two UEFA Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and one European Super Cup.
The club's fortunes dramatically shifted with the Parmalat scandal in late 2003. The parent company's collapse revealed a €14 billion hole in its accounts, leading to Parma's insolvency in 2004. The club operated under controlled administration until 2007, selling key players to manage debt, and eventually suffered relegation from Serie A in 2008, ending an 18-year stay in the top flight.
Despite a brief return to Serie A, financial irregularities persisted. In 2014, Parma qualified for the Europa League but was barred due to unpaid taxes on player salaries, a turning point that precipitated another downfall. The club was declared bankrupt in March 2015 with total liabilities exceeding €200 million, including €63 million in unpaid salaries. This led to the club's refounding as S.S.D. Parma Calcio 1913 and a forced restart in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football.
The phoenix club embarked on a remarkable journey, achieving three consecutive promotions from Serie D to Serie C, then Serie B, and finally returning to Serie A in 2018. This unprecedented ascent captured international attention and showcased the enduring loyalty of its fanbase, with over 9,000 season tickets sold in Serie D.
After a period in Serie A, Parma was relegated to Serie B at the end of the 2020-2021 season. However, under the ownership of American billionaire Kyle Krause (Krause Group), who acquired a majority stake in 2020, the club focused on rebuilding. In the 2023-2024 season, Parma, managed by Fabio Pecchia, won the Serie B title, securing their return to Serie A after a three-year absence.
In the 2024-2025 Serie A season, Parma finished 16th, securing their top-flight status. For the 2025-2026 season, they finished 13th in Serie A.. As of August 2026, Parma Calcio 1913 is preparing for the 2026-2027 Serie A season, with Carlos Cuesta appointed as the new head coach. The club has been active in the summer transfer window, with several player movements, and is scheduled to begin their Serie A campaign against Cagliari on August 22, 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Parma Calcio 1913 made different choices?