The Best Italian Cities to Move for Sporting Reasons
This blog looks at the sporting facilities (for both participants and spectators) on offer in the major Italian cities - and it's not just winter sports, as highlighted by the Winter Olympics which has been taking place in various venues in the country over the past month.
There's also a rundown of the services offered by The Moving Partnership, who are highly experienced in providing removals packages to Italy.
Italy has a long and varied sporting tradition, both internationally and domestically, and their winter sports culture has been brought into focus by the 2026 Winter Olympics, currently taking place in and around Milan.
House Removals to Italy with The Moving Partnership
The Moving Partnership, who offer international removals to all parts of Italy, look at the sporting specialities (and venues) in five of the largest Italian cities and the services we can offer if you are considering moving to the country.
Milan
As a major sporting hub, Milan is ideal for football fans, with both AC Milan and Internazionale both playing at the San Siro Stadium. The stadium has also been used for the opening ceremony and is the location for the Olympic and Paralympic villages for the athletes.
Other Milanese venues for the Games include the Ice Hockey Arena, the Ice Park (for ice hockey and speed skating) and the Ice Skating Arena (for figure and short track skating).
Football is not just a spectator sport but a participation one as well – there are plenty of local leagues in and around Milan. (Figures from the Italian National Olympic Committee show that more than four million people play football or futsal across the country). Cycling also has plenty of enthusiasts, and stages of the prestigious Giro d’Italia race are often routed around or near the city.
Some of the country’s most successful rugby union teams are to be found in the Milan area, although the national team play their home Six Nations games at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Rome
The Stadio Olimpico is also home to two Serie A football teams (Roma and Lazio). The Italian Open tennis tournament takes place at the Foro Italico, while the annual Rome Marathon attracts more than 30,000 runners. Gym and fitness-based activities, including aerobics and personal training, have very high participation rates in the capital.
The same is true of tennis, although in recent years there has been a big increase in the number of padel courts and players in and around Rome. (Padel is a racket sport which has elements of both tennis and squash and is played on an enclosed court, either indoors or outdoors).
Turin
This northern Italian city is renowned for its football history (Juventus and Torino FC) and has many well-equipped sports facilities, including those for basketball, volleyball, and local football.
The city’s proximity to the Alps means that ice hockey, figure skating and short track speed skating are all popular activities. The newish sport of ski mountaineering (where the participants climb mountains using skis equipped with climbing "skins" and descend on skis) is increasingly popular, and it made its Winter Olympics debut in the 2026 Games.
Naples
Although football is the most popular sport across Italy, this is particularly true in the southern city of Naples, where it is viewed as a ‘second religion’ and is a core part of the city’s identity. SSC Napoli play at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, which was named after the Argentine superstar who played for the club during the 1980s and 1990s.
Due to its location on the Bay of Naples, sailing, rowing, and swimming are also very popular. Major events include the Capri-Naples Gulf Swimming Marathon and the Nauticsud Nautical Fair.
Palermo
The Italian passion for football is evident on the island of Sicily too. Palermo FC play at the 36,000-capacity Stadio Renzo Barbera, while there are plenty of places for the locals to play around the island as well.
And given its position on the coast (and the fact that the island is surrounded by three seas, namely the Tyrrhenian, the Ionian and the Mediterranean) it should come as little surprise that water sports too are extremely popular. This includes scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and kitesurfing, as well as kayaking and canoeing.
The island also provides plenty of opportunities for mountaineering and hiking.
House Removals to Italy with The Moving Partnership
So wherever in Italy you are considering moving to – whether it’s for work, study or retirement – you should have plenty of sport to either entertain you (or take part in). At The Moving Partnership, we will be able to offer competitively priced removals packages, thanks to our network of contacts in the international removals industry.
You can be sure the quotes we come up with will be tailored to your needs and budget. For instance, we can include optional extras such as packing and unpacking and video surveys, and protection so you are covered financially against any problems en route.
To learn more about our international removals to Italy, click here or call us on 0800 772 3709.
FAQs
Q: What is the visa situation if you are considering house removals to Italy from the UK?
A: British citizens moving to Italy for more than 90 days post-Brexit require a National Visa (Type D), obtained from the Italian consulate in the UK before travelling. Common types include work, study, family, or elective residence visas (this last one applies to retirees). Within eight days of arrival, you must apply for a residence permit. For more information, check out the Government’s official website page here.
The same regulations apply to other countries which are not part of the European Union.
Q: What if you are moving to Italy from another part of the EU?
A: EU citizens, including those with valid EU passports, do not require a visa for moving to Italy, enjoying the right to freedom of movement to live, work, or study. However, you must register with the local municipality (anagrafe) if you are staying in Italy for longer than three months.
Q: What is the procedure if you want to join a local gym?
A: Before joining, you will need to provide a medical certificate, signed off by a local doctor (many gyms are affiliated to local practices). This shows you are fit to exercise and will need to be renewed annually. It costs between 30 and 60 euros.
*All information correct at the time of writing
