About Serie B
Serie B History, Format, Organization, Media Coverage
The Italian Serie B is the second highest category in Italy’s football system. This league was launched in 1929 with eighteen teams included in the competition, and after many changes, it settled to feature 20 teams in the tournament every season. It usually starts in August and goes all the way to May of the following year.
As seasons have gone by, Serie B has been played under a promotion-relegation system, allowing access to Serie A with two direct promotion spots, which go to the winner and the runners-up. There is another promotion spot via a playoff, which sees six teams battling for the remaining spot. In terms of those who are relegated, the three lowest-ranked clubs in Serie B are sent down to Serie C, and a fourth club is also relegated via a relegation playout between the 16th and 17th ranked teams.
Contrary to what happens in other lower-tier categories across Europe, Serie B gives teams a chance to play in UEFA Europa League matches if they can win the Coppa Italia, which grants a spot in the group stage to the winner. Serie B is also known for being the lowest-tier category reached by some of Italy’s top teams, such as Juventus, Lazio, Torino, Roma, and Milan.
Serie B is available for fans to watch all over the world, starting with the deal signed with DAZN and Sky Italia. In the United States, Fox Sports has earned broadcasting rights until 2024. Meanwhile, in the UK, the streaming platform MOLA grants access to this league’s matches.
