Italy’s top football league, Serie A, faces a significant challenge with its aging stadium infrastructure, a concern prominently voiced by Lega Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo. He stresses that modernizing these venues is not just an upgrade but a critical necessity for the sport’s future and Italy’s competitive standing in European football.
De Siervo highlighted the severe state of Italian football facilities, stating, “In our country, we have the oldest stadiums in Europe, with an average age of over 70 years per venue.” While acknowledging that some progress is being made, he cautioned that a fully operational new economic model for stadium revenue generation is still at least six to seven years away. “In the meantime,” he warned, “the gap with other leagues will continue to grow.”
Modernization Efforts Crucial for Euro 2032
The impending co-hosting of UEFA Euro 2032 presents an unmissable deadline for these crucial infrastructure improvements. De Siervo pointed to several high-profile projects already in motion, including a proposed new stadium for Milan’s two giant clubs, Inter and AC Milan, which represents an investment of over €1 billion. Discussions are also advancing for new venues for Lazio and Roma, moving beyond the Stadio Olimpico, as well as significant developments in Genoa and Florence.
De Siervo underscored the direct link between state-of-the-art infrastructure and financial prosperity for clubs. Modern stadiums are key to diversifying revenue streams beyond broadcast rights, which currently form the bulk of clubs’ income. “Right now, we are going through the most difficult phase. Our clubs are still heavily reliant on TV revenue, but commercial income is growing. Having modern, state-of-the-art stadiums would provide a major boost in that respect,” he explained.
He also noted a positive trend of skilled professionals from more advanced industries joining Italian football, bringing fresh perspectives and ambitious plans. For Serie A, the transition to modern facilities is no longer merely an option; it is an indispensable step to ensure long-term competitiveness both on and off the pitch.
