What is the Supercoppa Italiana?
The Supercoppa Italiana is Italy’s annual super cup, historically contested by the Serie A champions and Coppa Italia winners and now expanded into a four-team mini-tournament. In 2025–26, the event is branded as the EA SPORTS FC Supercup and staged in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, underlining its role as a global showcase for Serie A.[4]
The competition acts as the first major trophy of the Italian season, condensing two semi-finals and a final into a short window of high-stakes football. Matches are single-leg ties, and if scores are level after 90 minutes, the winner is decided directly by a penalty shoot-out, adding another layer of drama for fans and broadcasters.[4]
Teams and Format in the 2025–26 Edition
Four clubs qualified for the 2025–26 Supercoppa Italiana based on their 2024–25 campaigns: Napoli as Serie A champions, Inter as runners-up, Bologna as Coppa Italia winners and AC Milan as Coppa Italia runners-up.[4][5] This mix ensures representation from both league and cup competitions, with a blend of traditional giants and an emerging challenger in Bologna.
The tournament format is straightforward: two semi-finals followed by a final, all played in Riyadh. Napoli have already beaten Milan 2–0 in the first semi-final to reach the final, while Bologna and Inter contest the second semi to determine who will face Napoli for the trophy.[2][4][7] The compact schedule means clubs must manage travel, fitness and tactical planning carefully over just a few days.
Why the 2025–26 Supercoppa Italiana Matters
For Napoli, the tournament offers a chance to reinforce their domestic dominance and add more silverware to their recent Serie A title.[4] Inter see it as a stage to reassert themselves after finishing second in the league, while Milan, coming in as defending Supercoppa holders, aim to prove their resilience despite injuries and squad rotations affecting their preparations.[1][2]
Bologna’s presence adds a compelling narrative, as the Coppa Italia winners chase a rare piece of silverware in their first Supercoppa appearance, buoyed by strong away form and a growing reputation under their current coach.[2][7] At the same time, staging the competition in Saudi Arabia reflects Serie A’s broader strategy of using marquee fixtures to expand its global audience and commercial appeal, making this edition particularly significant for both sporting and business reasons.[2][4]