ItalyEurope

Italy Football on TV - Live Streaming Schedules

You can quickly find where to watch Italy football leagues live on TV . Stay up-to-date with the complete listings of all the matches, including the thrilling action from Serie A, Serie B and Coppa Italia . Never miss a moment of Italy football on television!

Our platform provides complete listings for matches across all major Italy Soccer leagues and cup competitions. ProSoccer.TV is your best destination for accessing the schedules of Italy football live streaming TV.

Are you a fan of Italy's national teams or a follower of its top domestic leagues, ProSoccer.TV brings you the latest schedules and live streaming options. Experience the excitement of every goal, every tackle, and every victory, right from the comfort of your home.

The Italian Football Leagues System: Structure, History, and Key Dynamics

The Italian football league system forms a hierarchical pyramid that governs club competition, movement between levels, and the governance of the sport in Italy. From the fully professional top divisions to regionally organized amateur tiers, the system enables mobility, competition, and regional development across the country. This article summarizes the structure, historical developments, notable cases, and the evolution of both men’s and women’s competitions.

Historical Roots: Modern football in Italy began in the late 19th century, influenced by British expatriates. Key early clubs include Genoa (oldest active club), Juventus, and Inter Milan.
National Success: Italy’s national team has won 4 FIFA World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) and 2 UEFA European Championships (1968, 2020).
Club Dominance: Serie A is one of Europe’s top leagues, with clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan winning 48 major European trophies. The "Seven Sisters" (top clubs like Juventus, Milan, Inter, Roma, etc.) dominated Italian football from the 1990s–2020s.

Headlines and Overview

The Italian league pyramid comprises multiple levels, with promotion and relegation linking each tier.
Serie A and Serie B are national, fully professional divisions at the apex of the system.
Serie C is a national third tier, consisting of interregional groups, maintaining professional status.
Serie D and below are non-professional or semi-professional, organized through regional and provincial associations.
Women’s football in Italy transitioned to professional status at the top level in 2022–23, reshaping the entire pyramid beneath Serie A Women.

The Men’s Pyramid: Structure and Roles

Top Tiers (National and Professional)

Serie A: The pinnacle of Italian football, a national division with 20 clubs. Fully professional and widely broadcast.
Serie B: The second level, also a national division with 20 clubs. Professional status and promotion to Serie A is the primary objective each season.

Third Level (National, Professional)

Serie C: Comprises three interregional groups (each typically with around 20 clubs). While a national competition in scope, groups reflect geographic considerations. Professional status is maintained, with promotion to Serie B and relegation to Serie D.

Lower Tiers (Regional Orientation)

Serie D: The top non-professional tier, organized regionally but functioning as a nationwide ladder. Clubs compete for promotion to Serie C.
Eccellenza: A level below Serie D, organized on a regional basis with multiple divisions per region. This tier marks the transition point between national overview and regional management.
Promozione: Further regionalization, serving as a feeder to Eccellenza and ultimately to higher tiers in the pyramid.
Prima Categoria, Seconda Categoria, Terza Categoria: The lower strata of the Italian system, increasingly subdivided by regional or provincial boundaries. Movements between these levels are possible, though less common for clubs seeking national-level competition.

Promotion and relegation mechanics generally follow a sequential ladder: success in one season earns promotion to the next tier, while underperformance leads to relegation to the tier below. The actual numbers (teams promoted, play-off formats, and relegation rules) can vary by season and by region, especially in the lower levels.

Historical Note: Tie-Break Criteria

Since 2005–2006, divisions have used head-to-head results as tie-breakers when teams are level on points.
If still level, tie-breakers include head-to-head goal difference, regular-season goal difference, total goals scored, and ultimately draws as a last resort.

Notable Club Trajectories

AC ChievoVerona is a classic example of upward mobility within the pyramid, rising from lower divisions to reach Serie A at the apex of Italian football.

Women’s Football: Professionalization and Structure

Key Transition

The top level of women’s football in Italy, Serie A Women, achieved professional status starting with the 2022–23 season.
The top division is a national league, with Serie B following as a national division typically featuring 12–14 clubs. Below that, Serie C, Eccellenza, and Promozione provide wider regional coverage.

Structural Characteristics

The women’s pyramid mirrors the multi-tier structure of the men’s system, incorporating regional divisions at several levels to accommodate development and participation nationwide.
Historical changes include renaming and reorganization (e.g., Serie A2 being renamed to Serie B in the past), reflecting ongoing evolution in governance and competition formats.

Governance and Organizational Context

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is the governing body overseeing the league system, its regulations, and overarching football development in Italy.
Regional and provincial associations administer the lower tiers, particularly Serie D and below, ensuring alignment with local football development goals and resources.

Key Takeaways: Why the System Matters

The pyramid structure enables mobility: ambitious clubs can ascend from amateur roots to the top flight, though top-tier promotions are highly competitive.
Promotion and relegation create competitive incentives across all levels, from the national stages down to regional tiers.
The professionalization of the women’s top tier marks a significant milestone in gender equity and investment in women’s football, with ripple effects on development at lower levels.
Governance by FIGC, complemented by regional bodies, provides a framework for standardized competition, player development, and financial regulation across Italy.

Which Leagues are in Italy

ProSoccer.TV offers comprehensive coverage of:

Stay ahead with ProSoccer.TV and enjoy uninterrupted access to Italy football on TV. Our detailed listings ensure you never miss a game, providing you with channels, times, and streaming options for all your favorite leagues and matches.

Tables: Quick Reference (Condensed)

Top National Leagues:
- Serie A: 20 clubs, national scope, professional
- Serie B: 20 clubs, national scope, professional
Third Level:
- Serie C: 3 groups, interregional, professional
Semi-Professional/Non-Professional Tiers (Regional Orientation):
- Serie D: National ladder, regional organization, non-professional
- Eccellenza: Regional divisions, non-professional
- Promozione: Regional divisions, non-professional
- Prima Categoria: Regional divisions
- Seconda Categoria: Regional divisions
- Terza Categoria: Regional divisions
Women’s Top Tiers:
- Serie A Women: Professional (since 2022–23)
- Serie B Women: National division (12–14 clubs)
- Serie C Women, Eccellenza Women, Promozione Women: Regional/national mix per level

FAQ

What is the Italian football league system?

It is a hierarchical pyramid of divisions that governs club competition, promotion and relegation, and governance from the top-tier Serie A down to regional amateur tiers.

Which divisions are fully professional?

Serie A and Serie B are national, fully professional divisions.
Serie C is also a professional level, organized into three interregional groups.

How does promotion and relegation work?

Teams earn promotion by finishing high enough in their current division (often via playoffs in some tiers) and are relegated if they finish near the bottom. The exact numbers and play-off formats vary by season and region, especially in the lower levels.

What is the role of Serie D and below?

Serie D is the top non-professional tier and serves as the bridge between national competition and regional leagues. Below it (Eccellenza, Promozione, Prima/Seconda/Terza Categoria) are increasingly regionalized and mostly non-professional, with movement opportunities to higher tiers.

How has women’s football in Italy changed recently?

The top women’s division, Serie A Women, became professional starting in the 2022–23 season. Serie B Women is a national division (12–14 clubs), with Serie C Women, Eccellenza Women, and Promozione Women at lower levels offering regional/national competition.

Who governs the Italian football league system?

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) oversees regulations and development, with regional and provincial associations administering the lower tiers.

Are there notable examples of upward mobility?

AC ChievoVerona is a classic example of a club rising from lower divisions to Serie A, illustrating the mobility within the pyramid.

Where can I find more detailed rules for a given season?

Detailed rules (promotion/relegation numbers, playoff formats, and tie-break criteria) are set by the FIGC and updated season by season; regional associations may have additional variations for lower tiers.

How is tie-break decided in divisions?

Since 2005–2006, tie-breaks start with head-to-head results. If still tied, the order is head-to-head goal difference, regular-season goal difference, total goals scored, and finally draws as a last resort.

What’s the significance of the hierarchy for development?

The pyramid structure encourages grassroots participation, regional development, and opportunities for clubs to ascend to national competition while maintaining competitive incentives at every level.

Conclusion

The Italian football league system presents a robust, multi-tier structure that balances national competition with regional participation. Its professional core—Serie A, Serie B, and Serie C—drives high-level prestige, broadcasting, and financial dynamics, while the lower tiers (Serie D and below) support community clubs, youth development, and local engagement. The recent professionalisation of the top tier of women’s football marks a watershed moment for gender equity and investment, with implications for participation, sponsorship, and long-term growth across both genders. Governance by the FIGC, complemented by regional bodies, provides a cohesive framework that sustains competitive integrity, developmental pathways, and organisational stability across Italy’s diverse football landscape.