I’m obsessed with tennis — especially the clay-court (terra battuta) variety. So when a day pass to last year’s Italian Open (known in Italian as the Internazionali BNL d’Italia) fell into my lap through a friend, I leapt at the chance to spend an afternoon at Italy’s most prestigious tennis tournament. After that experience, I happily traveled to this year’s event, which runs until May 17, on my own dime. It’s a small indulgence for the chance to relive the festival-like atmosphere.
It also got me thinking about something bigger: the value of sporting events for travelers. Globally, sports tourism is on the rise, and is expected to grow 16.8% between 2026 and 2033, according to one study. In Italy, attending an athletic event is a great way to tap into the rhythm of the culture, explore unique venues and unexpected towns, and participate in something bigger than your average tour or tasting. If you’re planning to travel to Italy, here are four annual Italian sporting events worth structuring a trip around.
The Italian Open
Held annually in May, the Italian Open takes place at the historic Foro Italico, which also hosted the 1960 Summer Olympics. Set on the slopes of Monte Mario, the massive sports complex was inaugurated in 1932 under the Fascist regime, which took its cues from the Roman forums of the imperial age.
Backdropping the grounds of the Foro are Roman umbrella pines and towering marble statues (meant to exalt physical strength and virility). The lively scene today belies the dark history; even the strictest parents pull their kids out of school for a chance to get an autograph from their favorite top-ranked player scribbled on a large neon tennis ball. Friends meet up to watch a match or two on a jumbotron as they recline on lawn chairs. Because this is Italy, the concession stand offerings are top notch — think pizza, porchetta and panini, washed down with ice cold beers (Peroni, of course). Not one overpriced nacho in sight.
The state of the sport: Italian tennis is currently on a winning streak, with a fleet of players led by Jannik Sinner, ranked number one in the world. Trailing close behind the 24-year-old phenomenon is a wave of compatriots, including Lorenzo Musetti, Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini, Luciano Darderi and Luca Nardi. Women’s tennis is also seeing a surge, with Jasmine Paolini, Lucia Bronzetti and Elisabetta Cocciaretto turning Italy into a genuine force.
Giro d’Italia
Inaugurated in 1909 and held annually in May, the Giro d’Italia sees top international cyclists wind their way through some of the toughest terrain in Italy. The grueling three-week endurance race stretches 3443 km (2139 miles) over 21 stages with a total climbing elevation of 52,500 m (11,295 feet). Known as one of the three Grand Tours (alongside the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana), the Giro d’Italia (also called the Tour of Italy) is especially famous for its scenic routes — attracting about two million on-the-ground spectators to watch the stages from the roadside, often dressed in their national colors (blue) or wearing team jerseys. Choose your preferred backdrop — mountain, coastal or countryside road? Charming historic center? — for cheering on some of the world’s top cyclists. For a close-up view, companies like Grand Tours Project (an official tour operator of the Giro) offer VIP Spectator experiences from the start- and finish-line zones.
The state of the sport: This year’s edition is currently underway until May 31. Many Italian fans’ eyes are on Giulio Pellizzari, 22, who recently won the 2026 Tour of the Alps, and on emerging talent Davide Piganzoli, 23, a new entry in the team Visma-Lease a Bike.
Formula 1: The Italian Grand Prix
Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini: Italian racecars have long been seen as the epitome of speed, design and elegance. Coinciding with their rise was the 1921 inauguration of the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d’Italia, a legendary race that has almost exclusively been held at the Autodromo Nazionale in Monza, 12 miles north of Milan. This September, the event will host its 97th edition.
The Monza circuit, the fourth largest in the world, is recognized for its fastness and challenging curves; it’s even nicknamed the “Temple of Speed.” Because it’s traditionally the home for Ferrari, most fans come dressed in the Italian carmaker’s iconic red. The luckiest gearheads get spots in the Parabolic corner, a coveted grandstand location with some of the best views of the race.
If you go, build in some time before or after the event to explore the beautiful walled Parco di Monza commissioned by Napoleon in 1805. Spanning more than 600 hectares, it features foot and bike paths dotted with cafes where you can stop for an espresso or a celebratory Spritz.
The state of the sport: At the time of writing, Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli is leading the Formula 1 World Championship with 100 points following his victory at the Miami Grand Prix.
Calcio matches (in general)
We’re saving the national pastime for last: in Italy, calcio (soccer/football) is a religion. Despite not having qualified for this year’s World Cup in North America, Italians remain passionately devoted to the national team, the Azzurri, who have previously won four FIFA World Cup championships. The top domestic league, Serie A, is considered one of the finest professional sports leagues in the world. Its most dominant clubs are known as the sette sorelle (seven sisters): Juventus, A.C. Milan, InterMilan, A.S. Roma, S.S. Lazio, Fiorentina and Napoli.
Many Italian kids grow up to be lifelong loyalists of their favorite players and teams, so rivalries between opposing fans (tifosi) are famously intense. Ultras are organized fan groups who choreograph support for the team using scarves, flags, banners, smoke and chanting in unison to show their loyalty and pride. Be prepared (and pack earplugs, if in doubt).
You don’t need to attend a specific match or headline event to have a good time; the season typically runs from late August or early September to late May, and any game will school you in what calcio means to many Italians. That said, the matches between rival local clubs are often among the highest-octane events. Examples are the Derby della Capitale, which pits A.S. Roma against S.S. Lazio (May 17 this year), or the Derby della Mole, which sees famously decorated (and sometimes hated) Juventus face Torino, its more humble local counterpart (May 24).
The state of the sport: The Lazio-Inter final of the Coppa Italia, the domestic cup that sees multiple leagues (not just Serie A) compete, is set for May 13 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. But Inter has already taken home the bigger bragging rights for this year, having won the coveted scudetto (the serie A title, based on the full 38-match season) on May 3, for the 21st time.
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