Starting September 2, 2025, life will change for Italian top-flight footballers — and not just on the pitch.
A new five-year agreement between the Italian Footballers’ Association and Serie A introduces a significant shift: if a team is relegated to Serie B, its players will face a 25% reduction in salary. This clause applies only to contracts signed after the summer 2025 transfer window closes.
Why the change? Relegation doesn’t just break hearts — it breaks budgets. When teams drop from Serie A to Serie B, revenue plummets, but player salaries often remain sky-high. This new measure is designed to help struggling clubs stay afloat financially during those tough transitions.
For the players, it’s a hard but realistic adjustment. Football isn’t just a glamorous profession; it’s also a business — and this agreement reflects that reality. However, there is a silver lining: if the team bounces back and earns promotion to Serie A again, the players’ wages will be fully restored.
Importantly, the new deal also protects younger and less experienced players. A new minimum salary structure will be enforced, based on age, and cannot be reduced — even if relegation hits. That’s a crucial safety net for rising stars who are just beginning their careers.
This collective agreement marks a new chapter in Italian football — one that balances financial prudence with fairness and future-proofing.
