The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has approved a significant rule change for the 2026/27 Serie A season. This alteration will impact how title and relegation disputes are settled when teams finish with the same number of points, removing the possibility of play-offs in specific scenarios.
Following a proposal submitted by the Serie A League, the Federal Council has confirmed that a play-off match for the championship or for relegation will not be held if any of the involved clubs are participating in a European final – whether it be the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League.
In such circumstances, the final standings will be determined by the head-to-head record between the tied clubs.
Rule Change Driven by 2024/25 Season Scheduling Conflict
This decision was directly influenced by events that occurred at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. Inter Milan and Napoli entered the final matchday of the campaign with identical points, theoretically opening the door for a title play-off. However, scheduling such a match would have been exceptionally difficult given Inter’s commitment to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
To manage this situation, the clubs were required to play their final league fixtures earlier than the rest of the division.
This logistical challenge will be avoided from the upcoming season onwards. If two clubs finish with the same points in a situation concerning the Scudetto or relegation, and one of those clubs is engaged in a European final, the head-to-head record will serve as the decisive factor in determining the outcome.
