This scenario presents an innovative restructuring of Serie A, taking inspiration from the Belgian Pro League format. The goal is to create a more engaging and competitive league while addressing issues such as mid-table teams losing motivation once their primary objectives—such as avoiding relegation or securing European qualification—are met. The proposed 16-team format introduces a regular season followed by a playoff phase, ensuring that all clubs remain involved in meaningful competition until the very end.
New Serie A Format:
Regular Season (First Phase)
• 16 clubs, each playing 30 matches (home and away fixtures).
• At the end of this phase, the table is split into three groups, each with its own set of objectives.
Playoff Phase (Second Phase)
1. Championship Group
• The top clubs fight for the Scudetto and qualification for European competitions (Champions League & Europa League).
2. European Playoff Group
• Teams that just missed out on the Championship Group battle for the remaining Conference League spot.
3. Relegation Group
• The last-place team is directly relegated to Serie B.
• The second-to-last club faces a playoff against the winner of the Serie B playoffs for a chance to stay in Serie A.
• The 14th-placed team secures safety and remains in Serie A.
Changes to Serie B
The Serie B format would also shift to 16 teams with:
• The top two clubs earning direct promotion to Serie A.
• Teams ranked 3rd to 6th competing in a playoff for a chance to fight for promotion via the Serie A relegation playoff.
• The bottom two teams being directly relegated to Serie C.
Key Advantages of the New System
More Competitive Matches Throughout the Season
• Every club remains engaged in the league until the very end, reducing the number of meaningless games.
• The risk of teams losing motivation mid-season is significantly lower.
Exciting Title Races & European Qualification Battles
• The playoff format increases the stakes, ensuring that teams must fight for Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League spots.
A Balanced Relegation Battle
• The relegation phase adds suspense and fairness, giving struggling teams a final chance to secure safety.
Enhanced Spectacle for Fans
• The structure guarantees high-stakes matches at all levels of the league.
• The Belgian model has shown that such a system can increase stadium attendance and TV viewership.
Unpredictability & Entertainment
• Mid-table teams that would typically settle for mediocrity now have clear targets to aim for in the second phase.
I'll attach a video here, made by LucullusGames, an Italian FM streamer, in the video the database is explained and also through the game, the results were simulated to see the evolution that could have over the years.
Alternative Proposal: The MLS-Style Franchise Model
The video also explores an alternative restructuring based on the MLS franchise system, which would eliminate promotion and relegation while introducing regional divisions. This model could:
• Ensure financial stability for clubs by removing the threat of relegation.
• Boost regional rivalries, increasing local engagement.
• Encourage long-term investment, as clubs wouldn’t fear sudden drops in revenue from relegation.
However, this model would be controversial in a country with a deep-rooted footballing tradition like Italy, where the promotion-relegation system is a fundamental part of the sport’s identity.
Screenshots
Installation Instructions
1) Extract the contents of downloaded .rar file with a tool such as WinRar or 7Zip (Unarchiver for Mac)
2) Move the .fm file to your "saves" folder, by default located at:
/Documents/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2024/saves
(Create the folder if it doesn't already exist)
3) Open the game and load the save
Save created and tested by LucullusGames
If you have any problem, difficulty or want to report a bug, just send me a message here or leave a comment!
I remind that for those who want, that the skin used in the video is available here:
FM24 Vince Skin & Low Res | 1.2
Final Thoughts: A New Era for Serie A?
The proposed Belgian-style playoff system appears to be the most viable option to modernize Serie A while preserving its competitive integrity. By ensuring meaningful competition throughout the season, this model could revitalize interest in the league, making it more dynamic and engaging for fans.
Meanwhile, the MLS-style franchising model, while interesting, may struggle to gain acceptance in Italy due to its drastic departure from traditional footballing values. Ultimately, fan feedback and club willingness to adapt will determine whether Serie A embraces these changes or continues with its traditional structure.
Discussion: Serie A New format
1 comments have been posted so far.
Actually Italian MLS splitting conferences into North & South could help revive the southern clubs. Just because North is so packed instead of regular divide clubs from Rome should be in South conference.