Serie C

Serie C
Founded1935 (as Serie C)
2014 (refounded as Lega Pro)
2017 (refounded again as Serie C)
CountryItaly
ConfederationUEFA
Divisions3
Number of teams60
Level on pyramid3–4 (3 from 2014–15)
Promotion toSerie B
Relegation toSerie D
Domestic cup(s)Coppa Italia
League cup(s)Coppa Italia Serie C
Supercoppa di Serie C
Current championsGroup A: Calcio Padova
Group B: Virtus Entella
Group C: US Avellino 1912
(2024–25 Serie C)
WebsiteLega-pro.com
Current: 2025–26 Serie C

Serie C is the third highest division of football in Italy after the Serie A and Serie B. It has its headquarters in Florence. In the past, it also had a club from San Marino in it. The league in the past was divided as Lega Pro Prima Divisione and Lega Pro Seconda Divisione. However, it was combined as only one division: Serie C, in 2017. It was originally founded as the Serie C in 1935, rebranded in 2014 to Lega Pro, and then rebranded again to Serie C in 2017.

Format

Now there are 60 teams divided in three groups, primarily depending on the Italian geography:

There are 20 teams for each group: the first of group goes in Serie B. Other clubs, until tenth, make the playoffs: only the winner has an another place on Serie B. The last two teams of each group are directly relegated to Serie D: other teams are selected with playouts.

History

After other championship of third division (from 1926), Serie C was founded on 1935, divided in groups. On 1978, was created two separated championships, C1 and C2 (from 2008 Lega Pro Prima Divisione and Lega Pro Seconda Divisione). For three season, returned an only league with name Lega Pro, and from 2017 took the current name. From season 2025–26 the sponsorship is Sky Wifi.

Prizes