Italy offers a well-established domestic rugby structure, with opportunities for players across several levels, from the country’s top competition, Serie A Elite, to regional club rugby.
For players looking to take their careers abroad, understanding the Italian rugby system is an important first step towards finding the right club and competition.
Understanding the Italian Rugby League Structure
Italian men’s club rugby is organised across several levels, each offering different standards of competition and opportunities for development. The main competitions include Serie A Elite, Serie A, Serie B and Serie C.
Here is a closer look at how the system works.
1. Serie A Elite: The Highest Level of Domestic Rugby
Serie A Elite is Italy’s premier domestic men’s rugby competition, featuring 10 clubs competing for the Italian championship.
The competition represents the highest level of domestic club rugby in Italy and offers players the opportunity to compete against some of the country’s strongest teams.
The 2026/27 season runs from October to May, with the leading four teams advancing to the semi-finals.
For players seeking a high level of competition, Serie A Elite represents the top of Italy’s domestic rugby pyramid.
2. Serie A: The Second Level of Italian Rugby
Serie A sits directly below Serie A Elite and provides an important pathway for clubs and players aiming to progress to the highest domestic level.
For the 2026/27 season, the competition features 48 clubs divided into four groups:
- Group 1: A merit-based national group.
- Groups 2, 3 and 4: Territorial groups covering different regions of Italy.
The competition combines regional rugby with a national structure, giving clubs the opportunity to compete at a high level while pursuing promotion to Serie A Elite.
For ambitious players, Serie A can provide a valuable platform to develop their game and work towards the next step in their careers.
3. Serie B: Regional Competition with a Pathway to Serie A
Serie B is a national competition organised around Italy’s regions, providing opportunities for clubs and players to compete for promotion to Serie A.
For the 2026/27 season, the competition features 59 clubs divided into six territorial groups. Teams compete in a home-and-away league format, with the structure designed to reduce travel and support regional competition.
The promotion and relegation system creates a clear pathway between the divisions:
- Promotion: The winner of each group earns promotion to Serie A for the following season.
- Relegation: The bottom club in each group is relegated to Serie C.
Serie B plays an important role in Italian rugby, offering players the opportunity to gain competitive experience and work towards higher levels of the domestic game.
4. Serie C: Regional and Interregional Rugby
Serie C sits below Serie B and forms part of Italy’s regional club rugby structure.
The competition is organised through regional rugby committees, with formats and group structures varying according to the participating clubs and geographical areas.
For players, Serie C provides opportunities to compete in organised club rugby, develop their skills and gain valuable match experience.
It also supports the wider Italian rugby system by creating opportunities for clubs to grow and progress through the domestic competition structure.
Why Consider Playing Rugby in Italy?
Italy offers an interesting destination for players looking to experience rugby in a different country while continuing their development.
With competitions ranging from Serie A Elite to regional rugby, there are opportunities across different levels of the game.
Here are a few reasons to consider Italy:
A structured competition system
The Italian rugby pyramid provides a defined pathway between divisions, with promotion and relegation creating opportunities for clubs to progress.
Different levels of competition
From the country’s leading domestic clubs to regional sides, players can explore opportunities that match their experience, playing level and career ambitions.
A new rugby environment
Playing abroad allows players to experience a different rugby culture, work with new coaches and teammates, and develop both on and off the field.
Opportunities to progress
For ambitious players, finding the right club can provide an opportunity to gain experience, improve their game and work towards competing at a higher level.
Of course, the right opportunity will depend on the player’s position, experience, eligibility and the requirements of individual clubs.
Ready for Your Next Rugby Opportunity in Italy?
Whether you’re an experienced player looking for your next challenge or a club searching for the right additions to your squad, understanding the Italian rugby structure is a useful starting point.
At Oval15, we connect rugby players and clubs through a platform designed to make finding the right opportunity easier.
For players: Create your player profile on Oval15.com to showcase your experience, position and playing history.
For clubs: Register for free to create a club profile, search player profiles and post recruitment requirements.
Your next rugby opportunity could be waiting.