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Serie A is exploring plans to bring regular-season matches to the United States within the next three years as part of an effort to expand its international reach. Michele Ciccarese, the league’s commercial and marketing director, confirmed the ambition during an event at Serie A’s offices in New York City.
Speaking alongside league president Ezio Simonelli, Ciccarese highlighted the growing trend of professional sports leagues staging competitive games outside their home markets. "All the different leagues are discussing the possibility of playing a regular-season game abroad," Ciccarese said, referencing the NFL’s expansion efforts in Germany, London, and Australia.
One of the primary challenges to hosting official matches overseas has been FIFA’s long-standing opposition to the idea. However, recent legal battles have forced the governing body to reconsider its stance. A major turning point came when Relevent Sports, a New York-based company founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, won a legal breakthrough against FIFA. Relevent, which has worked to expand La Liga’s commercial presence in North America, had been pushing for permission to host Spanish league games in the U.S.
With FIFA now reviewing its policy on international league matches, Serie A sees a window of opportunity. "It’s up to us to put together the piece of the puzzle and present a proper strategy to the authorities," Ciccarese explained. "If approvals come through, we could see a Serie A match played in the U.S. within the next one to two years."
The process would require approval from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), UEFA, FIFA, and local governing bodies in the U.S. While Serie A is eager to be the first European league to host a competitive match abroad, it remains cautious about selecting appropriate fixtures. "You cannot play a Milan derby in America," Ciccarese acknowledged. "That match carries deep significance in Italy, and we must be respectful of our domestic audience."
Serie A’s interest in international expansion follows a similar push by Spain’s La Liga, which has made multiple unsuccessful attempts to host matches in the U.S. La Liga President Javier Tebas has long advocated for the move, with prior proposals for games in Miami involving Barcelona, Girona, Atlético Madrid, and Villarreal being blocked by Spain’s football federation.
European leagues are increasingly looking for ways to compete with the global commercial dominance of the English Premier League, which enjoys significantly larger broadcast revenues. La Liga, Serie A, and the Premier League have all established offices in New York and frequently organize friendly matches overseas during the off-season. However, the ability to host a competitive league match in the U.S. would mark a new frontier for European football’s international expansion.
As FIFA moves closer to clarifying its stance, Serie A hopes to lead the way. "It’s always a race to be the trendsetter," Ciccarese said. "The first league to successfully bring a competitive game abroad stands to gain the most in terms of revenues and global visibility."
While challenges remain, the ambition is clear: Serie A aims to be at the forefront of football’s internationalization, potentially ushering in a new era of European league matches on American soil.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Ali Raza, Unsplash / Vladislav Glukhotko
