Italy/Serie C: salary cap to be trialled in 2025-26 before a definitive application in 2026-27

The Lega Pro general assembly has approved the introduction of a salary cap in the Serie C for the 2025-26 season on an experimental basis, with a definitive cap to be introduced from the 2026-27 season, according to the Italian professional league, which manages the Serie C, at the end of its meeting at its headquarters in Florence (Italy) on 29/04/2025.

"The salary cap is one of the proposals I have made for my new mandate. In the coming weeks, we will be setting up permanent working groups on this subject. To introduce it gradually from 2025-26, we need to model the concept and understand what the models are in Europe. Generally speaking, we need to control costs, otherwise football will implode. If finances are not controlled, football cannot be played," said Matteo Marani, president of the Lega Italiana Calcio Professionistico.

Alongside this decision on the salary cap, the Serie C self-regulation code, the Zola reform (named after former international Gianfranco Zola, aimed at giving more playing time to young players) and the championship admission criteria have been "amended".