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.
