In a bold move, Serie A is eyeing the possibility of holding its first-ever regular-season match in the United States within the next one to two years. This announcement comes from Michele Ciccarese, Serie A’s commercial and marketing director, who expressed excitement about expanding the league’s footprint internationally, despite acknowledging the challenges ahead.
🚀 Serie A’s Bold Ambition
Ciccarese confirmed an earlier statement from Charlie Stillitano, the league’s USA managing director, who revealed that Serie A aspires to be the first foreign league to host a regular-season game in the US. While discussing plans with partners in New York, Ciccarese mentioned that there are still several barriers to overcome, including concerns about scheduling and the physical toll on players due to midweek European competitions.
🗣️ “Yes, we would love to do it. We are working towards it, but we have some barriers to overcome. Maybe in one to two years, we’ll see it happen if we get the right approvals.”
🌍 Breaking Boundaries for Serie A
The path to holding games outside of Italy was opened last year, when Relevent Sports, an American promotions company, dropped its lawsuit against FIFA over the rule preventing domestic leagues from hosting regular-season matches abroad. With FIFA agreeing to lift this restriction, Serie A now has the green light to explore new territories for their games.
However, Ciccarese made it clear that balance will be key:
🗣️ “We can’t forget about our fans in Italy. You can’t play a Milan derby in the US—it has a huge meaning in Italy. We have to be respectful of our audience.” 🇮🇹
🏆 Challenges in US Market Expansion
When it comes to Serie A’s US presence, Ciccarese acknowledged that the Premier League has a significant head start, noting its successful growth in the US dating back to the late 90s and early 2000s. The Premier League’s massive TV deals with ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBC Sports helped establish it as the dominant soccer league in the US.
In contrast, Serie A’s partnership with CBS and Paramount+ started in 2021, though it was extended for two more seasons last summer.
🗣️ “The Premier League did an amazing job, especially when we were at our peak. They started promoting and creating the product abroad, so we came a little bit late. But now we want to go fast.” 🏃♂️💨
🌎 Strategy to Grow Serie A in the US
Ciccarese and other Serie A executives, including Marco Materazzi and Andrea Pirlo, are focused on boosting Serie A’s presence through efforts like grassroots clinics and a more aggressive marketing strategy aimed at engaging US soccer fans. These initiatives will coincide with major international tournaments like the Club World Cup and Men’s World Cup in the US this summer and next.
Additionally, the language barrier and the prevalence of Spanish in US soccer culture is a consideration, but Ciccarese sees artificial intelligence as a potential solution.
🗣️ “Don’t underestimate what artificial intelligence can do.” 🤖
📅 What’s Next for Serie A?
With a bold vision and strategies in place, Serie A is setting the stage for a potential US debut. As the league works toward breaking new ground, fans in the US can look forward to exciting times ahead for Italian football. 🌟⚽
Will Serie A be able to compete with the Premier League’s stronghold in the US? Stay tuned! 📲👀
