The Most Popular Sports in Italy
The 4 Most Popular Sports in Italy
Italian passion for sports knows no bounds!
But which sports do Italians like the most? And what are THE most popular sports in Italy of all-time? Read on to find out!
Including big players, big wins and big moments from throughout the years.
Italian volleyball player Osmany Juantorena
Italy’s passion for sports is clear from the variety of activities that are popular among Italians, as well as their incredible achievements.
Sport has a long history and rich tradition in Italy.
Their robust and vibrant sporting culture has fostered some of the world's finest athletes and teams throughout history, making the country's sports legacy truly remarkable and deserving of admiration.
The one thing that Italians love more than playing their favourite sports is cheering on their favourite teams.
Their devotion is truly admirable, to say the least!
Throughout the years, Italy has had one of Europe’s greatest success stories in a variety of sports. But, what are the sports that Italians adore the most?
You may already have a pretty good idea about which sport is the most popular, but what are the other sports Italians support and play? Who are their top athletes? What are their biggest sporting achievements throughout the years?
Let’s find out!
1. Football
The national sport of Italy
Paolo Maldini, Dino Zoff and Roberto Baggio are famous Italian football players
Italy have won four FIFA World Cup titles
While the ancient Romans were particularly fond of running, boxing and chariot races, current data by the Statista Research Departments shows that team sports, especially football, are by far the most popular sports played in Italy today.
Football, or “calico” as Italians call it, is considered the national sport of Italy. It’s also their most popular, most viewed and most played sport. This comes as no surprise to anyone!
Italy is also home to the incredibly violent game of ‘Calcio Storico’, a forerunner of modern football only played in Florence.
Since the late 19th century, when football was first introduced to Italy, this sport has been woven into Italy’s cultural identity and history.
It became something more than a sport - it became a source of pride and a way of life for many Italians.
The competition and drama, combined with incredible talents and amazing gameplay, always manage to produce a spectacle for fans and players alike.
As a nation, Italians are incredibly supportive of the sport - and for good reason. Italy's national football team is one of the world's most successful teams in the world.
Italy’s football achievements include:
Four FIFA World Cup victories (1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006)
48 major European trophies
They are the second-most successful country in European football
Italy has built over 60 football stadiums and has its own national league called Serie A.
This 80-year-old championship includes 20 clubs, among which are some of the most famous teams like Juventus Torino, AC Milan and AS Roma.
The fame of these teams is known all over the world, their popularity matching that of football itself.
Italy also has some of the best football players, including a lot of young Italian talent.
Some of the most recognisable Italian football players include:
Paolo Maldini
Alessandro Del Piero
Gianluigi Buffon
Fabio Cannavaro
Giuseppe Meazza
Head to our football blog for more
2. Basketball
Italians play in the Lega Basket Series A
Famous club teams include Olimpia Milano and Virtus Bologna
The LBA has won the most EuroLeague championships in history
Basketball, or “pallacanestro” in Italian, is the second most followed and played team sport in Italy.
Italians are incredibly proud of their local basketball teams, as well as their national team. It is one of the most consistent winners of the Euro League, and one of the best basketball teams outside of the US, too.
Much like football, basketball in Italy also has its own league, called the Lega Basket Series A.
FIBA Europe and Euroleague Basketball both consider the LBA as one of the top European National Basketball leagues. It ranked as THE top national domestic league in Europe from 1958 to 2007.
The clubs from this league have won the most EuroLeague championships (13), the most FIBA Saporta Cups (15) and the most FIBA Korać Cups (10).
Currently, at the FIBA World Rankings, the men’s team is ranked at number 10, and the women’s team at number 14. Italy has also made nine trips to the World Cup and 12 attempts at the Summer Olympics.
Their most famous basketball teams include:
Olimpia Milano (28 league wins)
Virtus Bologna (15 league wins)
Pallacanestro Varese
Pallacanestro Cantù
Fortitudo Bologna
Victoria Libertas
Pallacanestro Treviso
Needless to say, these clubs have produced some of the best players, including:
Danilo Gallinari
Andrea Bargnani
Marco Belinelli
Head to our basketball blog for more
3. Volleyball
The Italian Volleyball League is considered one of the best in the world
Andrea Zorzi and Lorenzo Bernardi are famous Italian volleyball players
Three Women's European Volleyball Championship titles
Volleyball, also known as “pallavolo” in Italy, is another hugely popular game with outstanding performances from Italian athletes. It is also one of the most popular sports in the world.
Volleyball was established in Genoa in 1875 with the creation of the first Italian volleyball club.
Since then, the popularity of the sport has only increased, and by 1930 it was already quite popular. In the 1970s, Italy was already winning the Volleyball World Cup.
One of the most famous stories related to Italian volleyball is the tale of the “Volleyball Miracle of Pescara”.
In 1924, a group of Italian male athletes went to America to compete in the Olympic Games; since they were Italy’s first Olympic team, they didn’t enter with high hopes.
Nonetheless, they managed to prevail and dominate the sport, putting Italy on the board.
Italy also has one of the most famous and respected leagues: The Italian Volleyball League. This is considered one of the most difficult and competitive leagues in the world.
It is no wonder that Italian teams have many wins under their belts:
Modena Volley: 12 titles
Volley Treviso: nine titles
Parma: eight titles
Teodora Pallavolo Ravenna: 11 titles
Bergamo: eight titles
Audax Modena: five titles
The Italian men’s national volleyball team has an impressive dossier, including:
Four World Championships
Seven European Championships
One World Cup
Eight World League titles
The Italian women's national volleyball team is not far behind, as they too have achieved notable victories in various prestigious tournaments.
This includes:
FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship
Three Women's European Volleyball Championship titles
FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League
Most recently, both the men’s and women’s national teams have won the European Volleyball Championship.
Italy is the only country to have won the UEFA European Championship, Women's European Volleyball Championship and Men's European Volleyball Championship all in the same year.
Some of the most famous Italian volleyball players of all-time include:
Andrea Zorzi
Lorenzo Bernardi
Paola Croce
Eleonora Lo Bianco
Andrea Giani
Lucia Bosetti
4. Formula 1
The Italian Grand Prix is one of the oldest F1 Grand Prix events
Giuseppe Farina was the first winner of the Formula 1 World Driver Championship in 1950
The Monza Circuit is one of the most famous Italian racetracks
As a nation, Italy is in love with speed, precision, talent and a bit of a flair for the dramatic - so it is no wonder they love Formula 1.
And needless to say, Italy has left quite a mark on the sport, from the historic Monza Circuit and Imola racetracks to the famed Scuderia Ferrari Team.
The Italian Grand Prix of Formula 1 is the fifth oldest surviving Grand Prix, and it has been held since 1921.
Italy has achieved a lot of success in this sport. First off, we must recognise Italy’s well-known racetracks, specifically Monza, Imola, Mugello and Misano Adriatico.
The Monza Circuit is a historic racetrack with three tracks: Grand Prix track, Junior track and the high-speed oval track that is known as one of the most epic tracks in the history of the sport.
Italy also has the oldest surviving team in Grand Prix racing and the most successful Formula 1 team in history - Scuderia Ferrari.
Italy was also the first country to win a Formula 1 championship, specifically, the Italian driver Giuseppe Farina, who won the Formula 1 World Driver Championship in 1950.
Italy additionally can boast the most successful team in Formula 1, Ferrari. This team has won 16 constructors' championships and 15 drivers' championships.
Other Italian brands like Bianchi, Aprilia, Beta, Cagiva, Gilera, Guzzi, MV Agusta, TM Racing, Benelli and Ducati have also won several prestigious races and championships.
Some of the most recognisable Italian Formula 1 winners include:
Alberto Ascari
Nino Farina
Giuseppe Farina
Mario Andretti
Michele Alboreto
Jarno Trulli
Are There Any Other Popular Sports in Italy?
These are just the top 4 most popular sports in Italy - but they are by no means the only popular sports in Italy.
Italians also love swimming, sailing, diving, water skiing, surfing, water basketball, cycling, rugby, tennis, alpine skiing and regular skiing, bodybuilding, boxing, fencing and many more!
Do you play any of these popular sports? Let us know in the comments!
