If you’re wondering does Serie A have relegation, the answer is a resounding yes — and it’s every bit as nerve-wrecking and dramatic as you’d expect from Italy’s top flight. ProteanCup will guide you through how teams go down, past playoffs, recent changes, and what sets this system apart.
What is the relegation system in Serie A
- Serie A is Italy’s first division in football; teams that finish at the bottom of the league at season’s end are relegated to Serie B, the second division.
- As of the most recent seasons, the bottom three teams in the table are automatically relegated.
- Promotion from Serie B works similarly in reverse: the top two teams in Serie B are promoted, and then there is usually a playoff in Serie B to decide another team to go up.
Tie-Breakers and Playoffs: When relegation isn’t so simple
Even though three teams drop every season, there have been occasions when things weren’t crystal clear due to ties in points. That’s when Serie A’s rules kick in.
What happens in a tie
- If two teams are tied on points — particularly for crucial positions like 17th vs 18th (just above or in the relegation zone) — they might go into a one-match playoff at a neutral venue to decide who stays up or goes down.
- If three or more teams are tied, a “mini-table” of their head-to-head results among each other often determines who is better placed. Goal difference (overall or head-to-head) and goals scored may also be used.
Recent example
- In the 2022-23 season, Hellas Verona and Spezia were tied after the final matchday for the last relegation spot. A one-match relegation playoff was held to decide which team dropped to Serie B.
- In the 2024-25 season, there were scenarios where multiple clubs were tied on points near the bottom, and a playoff might have been needed.
Why relegation matters: drama, finances, identity
Relegation isn’t just about moving divisions — it’s about prestige, money, fan morale, player futures.
- Clubs surviving or dropping can mean huge differences in TV revenue, sponsorships, and budgets.
- Fans fiercely follow the relegation battle — sometimes the fight for the bottom is as intense as the fight for the title. Serie A’s history is full of late goals, surprise upsets, and playoffs that decide the drop.
Comparisons and unique features
How Serie A compares to other major leagues, and what make its relegation system unique:
| Feature | Serie A | Others (e.g. Premier League, La Liga) |
| Number of relegated teams | 3 automatically (bottom three) | Usually same in many leagues, but some have different counts |
| Playoff for relegation | Rare, only when tie on points or specific rules (tie-breakers) | In many leagues goal difference decides first; playoffs are less common |
| Head-to-head tiebreakers | Important, especially when 3+ teams tied on points | Varies by league; some prefer goal difference first |
Recent changes and possible tweaks
- In recent seasons, Serie A refined how tie-breakers work, especially for cases where spots are highly consequential (title, European qualification, or relegation).
- The playoff rule is rarely invoked but is in place to ensure fairness when point-ties cannot be separated by the usual stats.
Answering the main question
So, to settle it clearly: does Serie A have relegation? Yes. Serie A features automatic relegation for the three teams finishing lowest each season to Serie B. And when teams are tied on points in critical places, there are rules (including playoffs, head-to-head mini-tables, etc.) to break ties and determine who goes down.
Conclusion
Does Serie A have relegation — very much so, and it’s one of the core elements that makes the league thrilling right through to the final matchday. ProteanCup walks you through the rules because knowing how relegation works is key to understanding the tension, the stakes, and the stories every Serie A season unfolds.
If you want, I can pull together a list of recent relegated teams, compare their point totals, and show what it usually takes to avoid the drop in Serie A — would you like me to do that?
