Inter, this season’s finalist in the UEFA Champions League, or Milan, led by Christian Pulisic, may play in Australia in an unprecedented league match that Serie A is planning. This bold move would mark an unprecedented moment in Italian soccer history — one that could shift how Europe’s top leagues engage with global audiences and where they play their most meaningful matches.
Reports from Corriere della Sera and the Sydney Morning Herald confirm that Serie A is in advanced discussions to host a league match in Australia, specifically in Perth’s Optus Stadium. While European clubs have long held friendlies overseas, this would be the first competitive top-flight league match played outside of Italy.
The driver behind this bold initiative? A unique scheduling conflict: San Siro, the shared home of both Inter and Milan, will be closed from January 10 to February 8, 2026, as it prepares to host the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. This one-month stadium blackout has opened a rare window for Italian clubs to test an idea that’s been discussed for years — taking regular-season action abroad.
According to Corriere della Sera, Serie A CEO Luigi de Siervo received a formal proposal from Western Australia’s tourism body to stage a match during this period. The Sydney Morning Herald adds that the deal is “close to being finalized,” with Optus Stadium the frontrunner over other major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The venue’s successful hosting of a post-season friendly between Milan and Roma in 2023, which drew over 56,000 fans, further boosted Perth’s chances.
Seevral key obstacles remain
“There are barriers, but we must find a respectful way to engage our global fans,” said Michele Ciccarese, Serie A’s commercial and marketing director, reflecting on the league’s growing international ambition. “We must play in a way that is respectful of our audience.”
One major barrier remains: UEFA has not yet approved the Perth proposal, and European soccer’s governing body has never before sanctioned a domestic league match outside the host nation. However, momentum is on Serie A’s side. FIFA has recently eased its opposition to leagues staging matches abroad, and the SMH reports that Football Australia is “very likely” to grant local approval.
If the plan is approved, Serie A would become the first of Europe’s major leagues — including the Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga — to stage a regular-season fixture outside its own borders. It would be a watershed moment for European soccer and a significant marketing win for the Italian league.
This Australian venture is not a one-off. Serie A is also exploring the United States as a destination, with a goal of staging a league game there by 2026. The Italian Super Cup has already been exported to Saudi Arabia, with recent editions bringing in around $26 million per tournament. Clearly, the commercial logic behind this international expansion is strong — fan engagement, sponsor exposure, and television rights revenue all stand to benefit.
