In Italy, Sport and Fandom

You will find that supporting a team in Italy isn’t just about watching a sporting event: it’s a little daily performance made of passion, theatrical gestures, and a healthy dose of exaggeration. But fans in Italy are not all the same…

You have the ultrà, who lives every sporting event as if it were a matter of life or death, with chants, drums, and banners worthy of a Broadway show. You have the occasional fan, who usually ignores most sports but, when Italy is competing, becomes an instant expert on rules and strategies. And then you have the sofa fan, who transforms the living room into a stadium, armed with snacks, beer and… shavings of Grana Padano for an energy boost!

In Italy, supporting a team means uniting heart, voice, and taste: because sport is also felt at the dinner table.

Focus on: Football

You know that football is the undisputed king of Italian sport. From Serie A to the National team, the ball stirs powerful emotions and divides families, neighbourhoods, and offices. You will see Italian fans acting as tactical experts, lovers of their club colours, and creators of chants that go viral in an instant. The stadium is the temple, the “curva” is the cathedral, and the final whistle is the closing mass.

Focus on: The Olympics

When the Olympics arrive, you will notice Italians transform. Suddenly, everyone knows the name of the diver or the marathon runner, even if they usually ignore the water polo championships. The Olympics are a moment of unity: the tricolour flag decorates balconies, passionate commentary brings offices to life, and a generous dose of Italian pride turns everyone into a top-tier supporter. It is the perfect opportunity for you to discover lesser-known sports and share the thrill of a gold medal as if it belonged to your own family—for once, everyone is on the same side!

Fan Food

Supporting “all’italiana” isn’t just about passion and shouting: food also plays a fundamental role. You will find that every sport has its gastronomic rituals: from the stadium sandwich to the sofa snack, right through to the “final match” pizza paired with an ice-cold beer. And, of course, you cannot miss the Grana Padano, which transforms every bite into a true fan experience.

Ultimately, supporting like an Italian is this: you live sport as a collective ritual, where emotions, voices, and flavours mix without rigid rules. Whether you are at the stadium, in front of the TV, or around a table, every match becomes a chance to be together and share something authentic. Because in Italy, you don’t just watch the game: you feel it, you tell its story… and you savour it, one bite at a time.