NEW YORK, NY (MARCH 4, 2024) – Serie A is experiencing an unprecedented surge in popularity across the United States, setting new records for audience engagement and accessibility. Italian football has never been this close to American fans, with a groundbreaking season that has transformed the league’s reach across multiple platforms.
For the first time, Lega Serie A has separated its English and Spanish-language broadcasts to better serve the rapidly growing Hispanic community, with every single match airing live on CBS platforms and three live matches per matchweek on FOX Deportes. This has resulted in over 1,000 hours of Serie A programming in the U.S. for the first half of the 2024/2025 season, including more than 600 hours of live coverage. As of January 2025, the cumulative live audience has skyrocketed, marking a 50% increase compared to the previous season.
Lega Serie A celebrated this extraordinary growth with a special ‘Calcio Aperitivo’ event at its New York office, where President Ezio Maria Simonelli, Commercial & Marketing Director Michele Ciccarese and Lega Serie A USA President and CEO Andy Mitchell were joined by Italian football legends Andrea Pirlo and Marco Materazzi. The event gathered business partners, media, and dignitaries to recognize the league’s rising influence in North America and reinforce its commitment to further expansion through strategic partnerships, fan engagement, and grassroots initiatives.
“This season marks a historic milestone for Serie A in the United States,” said Ezio Maria Simonelli, President of Lega Serie A. “Never before has Italian football been so widely accessible across the country. The upcoming CBS Main Network broadcast of Juventus vs. Genoa on March 29 is yet another key moment in our mission to bring Serie A to as many fans as possible.”
The growth of Serie A in North America is backed by compelling data. Research shows that 51 million Americans have an affinity for Italian culture, with 18 million Italian Americans and 3-5 million U.S. tourists visiting Italy annually. Lega Serie A is strategically leveraging this connection through commercial partnerships, social media campaigns, and community initiatives designed to deepen fan engagement and cultural affinity.
Serie A’s international expansion is bolstered by the active involvement of North American investors in 9 of its 20 clubs, which has accelerated the league's growth strategy. At the same time, Serie A is increasingly attracting young American talent, hosting the most U.S. National Team players among European leagues. Figures like Christian Pulisic have significantly boosted the league’s U.S. fanbase, and Serie A is focused on strengthening ties with MLS while continuing to attract more U.S. players.
Andrea Pirlo, Serie A Ambassador, highlighted the league’s cultural impact in the U.S.: “Having lived and played in New York, I’ve seen firsthand the passion for Italian football here. It’s incredible to see how much it’s grown, with broadcasts and events like this bringing fans even closer to the game.”
Marco Materazzi, also a Serie A Ambassador, echoed this sentiment: “Serie A has a legendary history that resonates worldwide, and this event showcases its ability to attract new audiences. The passion for football in the U.S. is remarkable, and it’s fantastic to see the league embracing it.”
With unparalleled accessibility, innovative fan engagement strategies, and a deep-rooted cultural connection, Serie A is taking center stage in the American sports landscape—bringing the passion, history, and excitement of Italian football to millions like never before.
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ABOUT LEGA SERIE A
Lega Serie A is Italy's premier professional football league, home to some of the world's most renowned and storied football clubs. Since its inception, the league has been a cornerstone of Italian culture and sportsmanship, captivating millions of fans worldwide with its unique brand of exceptional football. Serie A was confirmed as Europe’s strongest league, taking the top spot in the UEFA Association Coefficient ranking for the 2023-24 season. In 2022, the league opened its U.S. office in NYC to deepen its connection with American fans and brands.
ABOUT LEGA SERIE A USA
Lega Serie A USA opened its office in New York in May 2022, with the objective of expanding the presence of Serie A in North America.
For more information, visit legaseriea.it/en and the Serie A North America Instagram feed
