Rugby in Italy - statistics & facts
According to a very popular story, but of doubtful authenticity, rugby was invented in 1823, when a pupil of the Although Rugby School in Warwickshire, England, picked up the ball and started to run in the middle of a football match. Legend or not, this game became common at Rugby School during the 1830s, spreading to the rest of the UK during the following decades. In Italy, rugby found its popularity during the first years of the twentieth century and in 1928 the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) was formed. Then, according to the latest figures published by the Italian National Olympic Committee, the FIR registered over 82 thousand athlete memberships as of 2017.
Looking at recent financial data compiled by the FIR, revenues of the Italian Rugby Federation increased overall from 2011 to 2018. Furthermore, estimates for 2020 reveal that the federation expected to generate revenues of 43.9 million euros, while its operating costs are estimated to reach 43.8 million euros. In this sense, the Six Nations Championship represented the main source of income, while most costs related to the training of national teams.
As reported by the World Rugby ranking, the men’s national team ranked among the leading fifteen teams worldwide as of March 2020. However, the best results obtained by the men’s team all related to competitions held prior to 1998. In terms of the Six Nations Championships, Italy scored its highest total points in 2018. On the other hand, the women’s national team ranked fifth in the World Ranking as of March 2020, also ranking second in the Women’s Six Nations Championship in 2019. In 2020, due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, both Men’s and Women’s Six Nations Championships were suspended.
Considering national competitions, the most popular is the TOP12 league, which is the highest tier in Italian professional male rugby and was formerly known as Super 10. As of the 2018/2019 season, Amatori Milano was the TOP12 club winning the highest number of championships. Moreover, Rugby Calvisano won the highest number of TOP12 matches between the 2003/2004 and 2019/2020 seasons.
Looking at recent financial data compiled by the FIR, revenues of the Italian Rugby Federation increased overall from 2011 to 2018. Furthermore, estimates for 2020 reveal that the federation expected to generate revenues of 43.9 million euros, while its operating costs are estimated to reach 43.8 million euros. In this sense, the Six Nations Championship represented the main source of income, while most costs related to the training of national teams.
As reported by the World Rugby ranking, the men’s national team ranked among the leading fifteen teams worldwide as of March 2020. However, the best results obtained by the men’s team all related to competitions held prior to 1998. In terms of the Six Nations Championships, Italy scored its highest total points in 2018. On the other hand, the women’s national team ranked fifth in the World Ranking as of March 2020, also ranking second in the Women’s Six Nations Championship in 2019. In 2020, due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, both Men’s and Women’s Six Nations Championships were suspended.
Considering national competitions, the most popular is the TOP12 league, which is the highest tier in Italian professional male rugby and was formerly known as Super 10. As of the 2018/2019 season, Amatori Milano was the TOP12 club winning the highest number of championships. Moreover, Rugby Calvisano won the highest number of TOP12 matches between the 2003/2004 and 2019/2020 seasons.
