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Football is not only the most popular sport in Italy, but also represents a hugely important economic sector, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP.
This passion, which involves millions of fans, has an impact far beyond the playing fields, moving billions of euros through television rights, sponsorship, merchandising and, last but not least, betting.
Football as an economic sector
Italian football is responsible for a huge turnover. According to figures for 2022, the sector generated total revenues of around EUR 78 billion, contributing 3% of Italy’s GDP. This includes a wide range of elements, from television rights to sponsorship, from ticket sales to the exploitation of images and merchandising. An impressive figure is the tax and social security contribution of football, which brings around EUR 1.2 billion into the state coffers. Furthermore, the entire Italian football system supports over 112,000 jobs, demonstrating the enormous impact football has on the Italian economy and society.
The weight of television rights
One of the biggest contributors to Italian football revenues is the sale of TV rights. The latest five-year deal (2024-2029) saw giants Dazn and Sky compete for the broadcasting of Serie A and Serie B matches, with a total offer of €900 million per year. This deal will allow Serie A clubs to share a €4.5 billion package over the next five years. Dazn will broadcast all ten matches of each league day, while Sky will have co-exclusivity on three of them.
Other economic factors: sponsorships, buying and selling of players and capital gains
Besides TV rights, there are numerous other elements that contribute to the wealth of Italian football. These include sponsorship, the buying and selling of players, and merchandising. The buying and selling of players is particularly relevant: between 2012 and 2019, Serie A generated EUR 3.76 billion from player capital gains alone, which is one of the main budget items for many clubs.
The betting market
Another fast-growing sector is the betting market, which is worth approximately EUR 10 billion for Serie A and other national and international events alone. This figure shows how relevant the betting industry is in relation to football, contributing to making this sport one of the most influential not only culturally, but also economically.
Conclusion
Football in Italy is not only a matter of passion, but also a pillar of the national economy. With a significant and growing economic impact, it is clear that the future of Italian football will continue to influence not only the world of sport, but also the country’s economy.
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