The countdown to the new Serie A season has officially begun. The fixture list for the 2025/26 campaign is out, and it promises a thrilling ride from the opening weekend to the final whistle. With a dramatic managerial merry-go-round, three new teams entering the top flight, and a condensed schedule, Italian football is set for a season of unpredictability and high-stakes drama.
This year's calendar is full of intriguing matchups and potential turning points. From the highly anticipated derbies to the clashes between title contenders, here is everything you need to know about the 2025/26 Serie A fixture list.
A Season of Change: The Managerial Merry-Go-Round
Perhaps the biggest story heading into the new season is the seismic shift in the dugout. A staggering 12 clubs have new managers, creating a landscape ripe for tactical battles and surprising results.
At the top, we see some familiar faces in new places. Massimiliano Allegri makes a sensational return to AC Milan, where he won the Scudetto in 2011. After a disappointing previous season, Milan are looking for a steady hand to guide them back to the top of the league. Meanwhile, crosstown rivals Inter are taking a calculated risk by appointing Cristian Chivu, a legendary player now tasked with leading the team to glory after a series of successful years under his predecessor. Chivu's promotion is a huge story, and all eyes will be on whether the untested manager can replicate the success of past legends who won the Scudetto in their first seasons.
Further down the table, the moves are no less significant. Long-standing Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has moved to AS Roma, creating a fascinating new challenge for the tactical mastermind. Over in Bergamo, Ivan Juric has the unenviable task of following Gasperini’s decade of success. These shifts, along with the likes of Igor Tudor at Juventus and Antonio Conte's ongoing project at defending champions Napoli, ensure that this season will be a true battle of wits from the sidelines.
The Key Dates to Circle on Your Calendar
The 2025/26 season will run from the weekend of August 23-24, 2025, to the final matchday on May 24, 2026. This year’s calendar is once again "asymmetric," meaning the second half of the season's fixtures are not a mirror image of the first, adding another layer of intrigue.
There will be no traditional winter break, as the schedule is punctuated by two midweek rounds on October 29, 2025, and January 6, 2026.
Here are some of the confirmed early fixtures for the title contenders:
Napoli will begin their title defense away to Sassuolo.
Juventus will host newly-promoted Pisa at the Allianz Stadium.
AC Milan kicks off their campaign at the San Siro against Cremonese.
Inter, the runners-up from last season, start with a home fixture against Torino.
Derby Days and Marquee Matchups
The fixtures are full of blockbuster games that will shape the season. The Milan derby, one of the most passionate rivalries in world football, is set to take place on Matchday 12 (November 22-23) and Matchday 28 (March 7-8).
Other key derbies and high-profile matches include:
Rome Derby (Lazio vs. Roma): Matches are scheduled for Matchday 15 and Matchday 32.
Derby della Mole (Torino vs. Juventus): The Turin derby will be held on Matchday 14 and Matchday 30.
Derby d'Italia (Juventus vs. Inter): The fierce rivalry renews on Matchday 3 (September 13) and Matchday 22 (January 24-25).
Napoli vs. Juventus: These two giants will face off on Matchday 6 and Matchday 31.
Welcome Back: The Newly Promoted Sides
This season we welcome three teams back to the top flight: Cremonese, Pisa, and Sassuolo. For Cremonese and Pisa, the challenge is to establish themselves in the league. Sassuolo, on the other hand, are no strangers to Serie A and will be looking to make an immediate impact.
Keep an eye on Como, whose new manager Cesc Fàbregas has a young and exciting project backed by significant investment, making them a fascinating team to watch.
The Final Verdict
With so many changes in the dugouts and a calendar filled with massive games, the 2025/26 Serie A season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Napoli will be looking to retain their title, but a refreshed Inter, a revitalized Juventus, and an Allegri-led Milan will be hot on their heels. The race for the Scudetto is wide open, and the competition for European spots will be just as intense.