What Happened to Serie A?

Serie A, established in its current round-robin format in the 1929-30 season, is the pinnacle of Italian professional football, building on a championship history dating back to 1898. Known for its tactical depth and historic clubs like Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan, the league has consistently been one of Europe's 'Big Five' leagues. Over the decades, it has seen periods of dominance, such as Juventus's nine consecutive titles from 2011 to 2020, and more recently, a resurgence of competition.

The early 2020s brought a shift in power dynamics. After AC Milan's triumph in 2021-2022, Napoli broke a 33-year drought to win the Scudetto in the 2022-2023 season. This competitive landscape continued, with Napoli securing their fourth Serie A title in the 2024-2025 season, finishing one point ahead of Inter Milan. The 2025-2026 campaign saw Inter Milan reclaim the championship, clinching their 21st Serie A title with three matches to spare on May 3, 2026.

However, the league has faced significant challenges beyond the pitch. Financially, the 2024-2025 season marked a concerning trend where club expenses collectively exceeded revenue, a situation not seen since the COVID-19 period. This financial strain has made clubs increasingly reliant on player trading to offset limited revenue growth, potentially impacting their competitiveness in European competitions. This comes amidst a broader crisis in Italian football, highlighted by the national team's failure to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive cycle, leading to the resignation of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina.

A major turning point and current concern is the refereeing scandal that erupted in April 2026. Gianluca Rocchi, the head of referee appointments for Serie A and Serie B, along with VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni, were placed under criminal investigation for alleged sports fraud. The investigation centers on accusations of influencing VAR decisions and altering referee selections during the 2024-2025 season, specifically a match between Udinese and Parma on March 1, 2025. This scandal has drawn uncomfortable parallels to the infamous Calciopoli scandal of 2006, raising serious questions about the integrity and transparency of the league's officiating system. Both Rocchi and Gervasoni have stepped away from their roles pending further developments.

As of August 11, 2026, Serie A is in its summer transfer window, which opened on June 29, 2026, and will close on September 1, 2026. Clubs are actively making new signings and preparing for the 2026-2027 season, scheduled to commence in August 2026 and conclude in May 2027. New broadcasting deals have been secured, including a five-year agreement with Zee Entertainment for India and South Asia starting August 22, 2026, and an extension with CBS Sports for exclusive English-language rights in the US through the 2026-2027 season, though the latter deal is reportedly at a reduced value. DAZN also extended its rights in France and German-speaking markets through the 2028-29 season. The league is striving to maintain its global appeal and competitive edge while navigating these significant internal and external pressures.