Serie A: the 2018-19 calendar includes an Italian "boxing day" and a two week break in January

Key dates for the 2018-19 Serie A calendar will be as follows: first matchday on 19/08/2018, final matchday on 26/05/2019, matches the day after Christmas (Wednesday 26/12/2018) for an Italian "boxing day" based on the model practiced traditionally by the Premier League, then a two week break between the first two Sundays in January (06 and 13/01/2019)," announced the Lega Serie A on 18/06/2018.

Three of the 38 matchdays of the Italian league are scheduled on weekdays, Wednesday 26/09, Wednesday 26/12/2018 and Wednesday 03/04/2019.

The international calendar reserves four weekends for national team matches on 08-09/09/2018, 13-14/10/2018, 17-18/11/2018, as well as 23-24/03/2019.

The Coppa Italia will begin with the first qualifying round on Sunday 29/07/2018. The final is scheduled for Thursday 25/04/2019.

2018-19 Serie A: Empoli FC, Parma Calcio 1913, and Frosinone Calcio promoted

• Empoli FC return to the Serie A just one year after being relegated to the Serie B.
• Parma Calcio 1913 have not…