When you search for Serie A teams near Rome, you’re looking for the top-flight Italian clubs within relatively close distance to the capital — those that Rome fans might travel to for away matches, derbies, or just weekend trips. In this article, ProteanCup will take you on a geographic and footballing tour of the Serie A clubs closest to Rome, exploring who they are, their histories, and why these proximities matter.
What defines “near Rome” in Serie A geography
Rome sits in the central-west region of Italy (Lazio). Clubs “near Rome” tend to fall into two bands:
- Very close proximity: within Lazio and neighboring regions (around 0-150 km).
- Moderately near: up to ~300-400 km away — still reachable for passionate fans by car or train without too much travel.
As of the latest season (2024-25), the bulk of Serie A clubs are based in northern Italy. Only a handful are in central or southern Italy — which makes the ones close to Rome especially interesting.
Serie A clubs very close to Rome
Here are the Serie A teams in closest radius to Rome. These are either in the same city, same region, or just over the regional boundary.
| Club | Region / Province | Distance from Rome* | Key facts |
| Roma | Lazio (Rome) | 0 km | One of two major clubs in Rome. Iconic, historic, plays at Stadio Olimpico. Deep local identity tied to culture, politics, and history. |
| Lazio | Lazio (Rome) | 0 km | Roma’s city rival; also based in Rome at Stadio Olimpico. Massive rivalry: Derby della Capitale. |
| Frosinone | Lazio | ~80-100 km southeast of Rome | The CiociarI (“Canaries”) are a smaller club in Lazio. Their rise to Serie A has been part-time; promotion and relegation mood swings. Fans can travel there in a couple of hours. |
Serie A clubs moderately close to Rome
These clubs are farther away, but still “near enough” that Rome supporters might attend matches:
- Napoli (Campania) — ~200-250 km south of Rome. Big club, large fanbase, storied history. Great destination for a football pilgrimage.
- Salernitana — also in Campania; a bit further from Rome but still in southern-central Italy. Though they have fluctuated between divisions, when in Serie A they are one of the closest southern options.
- Sassuolo — located in Emilia-Romagna, more than 300 km. Less practically “near” for quick trips, but still part of Serie A’s more central-southern clustering compared to the far north.
Distances are approximate, “as the crow flies” or by road depending on sources; actual travel time can vary greatly depending on transport mode and terrain.
Why the proximity of Serie A teams to Rome matters
These closeness factors are more than just geography — they influence:
- Derbies & rivalries: Roma vs Lazio is the obvious major local one. But matches versus neighboring clubs (e.g. Frosinone) can carry regional pride.
- Fan travel & culture: Fans from Rome often travel to away games to support their team; shorter distances boost attendance and turnouts.
- Regional identity: Lazio has its own identity; southern clubs like Napoli carry distinct cultural, dialectal, and historical characteristics that contrast with Rome’s more central role.
- Player scouting & movement: Clubs closer to Rome share more player exchanges, youth development overlaps, and often compete for the same regional talent.
Current status & recent changes
- Frosinone has been bouncing between Serie A and lower divisions; their promotions and relegations make them a wildcard in the “near Rome” bracket.
- Salernitana was relegated recently, so depending on which season you’re looking at, they may or may not be “nearby Serie A competition.”
- Roma and Lazio remain constants as Serie A’s Roman representatives. Their derby is one of world football’s great fixtures.
How travel and distance compare: examples
To give a sense, here are rough travel-times from Rome to some of these clubs:
- Rome → Frosinone: about 1–1.5 hours by car.
- Rome → Naples: roughly 2.5–3 hours by train or car.
- Rome → Salerno: closer to 3-4 hours depending on route.
- Rome → Sassuolo: well over 4 hours.
This influences whether a match feels like a local derby or almost a mini road-trip.
Summary list: Serie A clubs near Rome in 2025
Here’s a quick list of clubs to keep an eye on, as of the 2024-25 season, that are “near Rome” by distance or by regional/cultural proximity:
- Roma
- Lazio
- Frosinone
- Napoli
- Salernitana (when in Serie A)
Conclusion
Rome in Italian football has not one but two home giants — Roma and Lazio — making the city the hub of top-flight football in Lazio. Nearby, Frosinone offers regular Serie A competition for fans willing to travel a bit, while Napoli and Salernitana (when they’re up) serve as southern anchor points within reach.
If you’re a fan in Rome looking to catch Serie A live, these are your best and closest options from ProteanCup — and knowing Serie A teams near Rome not only feeds your match-day plans but also connects you with regional rivalries, football culture, and memories worth chasing.
