| Founded in 1898, the Italian Football | | | | two occasions, once at their home |
| League, also known as Italy soccer, is | | | | stadium and once at the home of their |
| the highest football league in the | | | | opponents. The first half of a |
| country. Serie A, which began in 1929, | | | | traditional Italy soccer season consists |
| is the top division of Italy Soccer and | | | | of each team competing once against all |
| is primarily sponsored by Italian mobile | | | | of the other clubs. The second half of |
| phone company TIM. Prior to the | | | | the season will consist of the same |
| inception of Serie A, Italy soccer was | | | | competitions in the same order, with the |
| structured into regional groups. The | | | | only difference being the location of |
| championship title is commonly referred | | | | the games. |
| to as Scudetto, which means 'small | | | | When it comes to scoring, an Italy |
| shield' because the champions' uniforms | | | | soccer team receives three points for a |
| will feature a small coat of arms during | | | | win, one point for a tie and no points |
| the following season. After more than | | | | for a loss. When it comes to tallying |
| 100 years of play, Italy soccer is at | | | | the points to see which club will be |
| the height of it's popularity in both | | | | crowned as champion, teams are ranked |
| the eyes of the fans and in the media. | | | | according to their total points |
| As we know it today, Serie A is the most | | | | accumulated during the season. If two |
| elite of all divisions in the Italian | | | | teams are found to have equal points at |
| Football League. Other divisions | | | | the conclusion of a season, those two |
| include Serie B, Serie C1, Serie C2, | | | | teams will meet up in a one match |
| Serie D and Eccellenza. | | | | playoff. The top four teams in the |
| With an Italy soccer league consisting | | | | Serie A of Italy soccer will qualify for |
| of 18, 18 or 20 teams, Serie A requires | | | | the UEFA Champions League. |
| that each club play all other teams on | | | | |