Italian Basketball League (Serie A) History

League status

The Serie A is the first-tier professional basketball league in Italy. Serie A was established in 1920.
The Serie A sits above the Serie A2 which effectively forms the second-tier of Italian basketball.
At the end of regular season, top 8 teams qualify to the play-offs.
The bottom 2 teams are relegated to Serie A2.
Limits of non-Italian players per team: 5 import players (non-Europeans), 5 Bosman players (with European passport) . Total number of allowed imports and Bosmans is 5.

League name history

1920-1930: Italian Basketball Championship 
1931-1937: Divisione Nazionale  1931 1932 1933 1934 1935
Until 2001
2001-2018
Since 2018

Title holders

Championships by club

TitlesClubYears
32Milano 1935-36, 1936-37, 1937-38, 1938-39, 1949-50, 1950-51, 1951-52, 1952-53, 1953-54, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1964-65, 1965-66, 1966-67, 1971-72, 1981-82, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1995-96, 2013-14, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
17Virtus BO 1945-46, 1946-47, 1947-48, 1948-49, 1954-55, 1955-56, 1975-76, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1983-84, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1997-98, 2000-01, 2020-21, 2024-25
10Varese 1960-61, 1963-64, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1976-77, 1977-78, 1998-99
8Mens Sana 2003-04, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13
6MI Assi 1920-21, 1921-22, 1923-24, 1924-25, 1925-26, 1926-27
5Benetton TV 1991-92, 1996-97, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2005-06
5Venezia 1941-42, 1942-43, 1943-44, 2016-17, 2018-19
5Triestina 1929-30, 1931-32, 1933-34, 1939-40, 1940-41
3Cantu 1967-68, 1974-75, 1980-81
4RO Ginnastica 1927-28, 1930-31, 1932-33, 1934-35
2Fortitudo BO 1999-00, 2004-05
1RO Virtus 1982-83
1Pesaro 1989-90
1Caserta Pap. 1990-91
1Reggio Emilia 2014-15
1MI Costanza 1919-20
1MI Internazionale 1922-23

Finals year-by-year

SeasonWinnerResultFinalistRegular Season Champ
1921-22Assi Milano34-14Costanza MilanoCostanza Milano
1922-23Internazionale MilanoInternazionale Milano
1923-24Assi Milano29-14Cairoli Novara
1924-25Assi Milano2-0Pro RomaAssi Milano
1925-26Assi Milano20-13YMCA Torino
1926-27Assi Milano17-8YMCA Torino
1927-28Ginnastica Roma27-21Costanza Milano
1928-29Not held [+]
1929-30Ginnastica TriestinaGinnastica Triestina
1930-31Ginnastica Roma2-0Ginnastica TriestinaGinnastica Roma
1931-32Ginnastica TriestinaGinnastica Triestina
1932-33Ginnastica RomaGinnastica Roma
1933-34Ginnastica Triestina2-1Borletti MilanoGinnastica Triestina
1934-35Ginnastica RomaGinnastica Roma
1935-36Borletti MilanoBorletti Milano
1936-37Borletti Milano2-0Dop.La Filotecnica MilanoBorletti Milano
1937-38Borletti MilanoBorletti Milano
1938-39Borletti MilanoBorletti Milano
1939-40Ginnastica TriestinaGinnastica Triestina
1940-41Ginnastica TriestinaGinnastica Triestina
1941-42Reyer VeneziaReyer Venezia
1942-43Reyer VeneziaReyer Venezia
1943-44Reyer VeneziaReyer Venezia
1944-45Not held [+]
1945-46Virtus BolognaVirtus Bologna
1946-47Virtus BolognaVirtus Bologna
1947-48Virtus BolognaVirtus Bologna
1948-49Virtus BolognaVirtus Bologna
1949-50Borletti MilanoBorletti Milano
1950-51Borletti MilanoBorletti Milano
1951-52Borletti MilanoBorletti Milano
1952-53Borletti MilanoBorletti Milano
1953-54Borletti MilanoBorletti Milano
1954-55Minganti BolognaMinganti Bologna
1955-56Minganti BolognaMinganti Bologna
1956-57Simmenthal MilanoSimmenthal Milano
1957-58Simmenthal MilanoSimmenthal Milano
1958-59Simmenthal MilanoSimmenthal Milano
1959-60Simmenthal MilanoSimmenthal Milano
1960-61Ignis VareseIgnis Varese
1961-62Simmenthal MilanoSimmenthal Milano
1962-63Simmenthal MilanoSimmenthal Milano
1963-64Ignis VareseIgnis Varese
1964-65Simmenthal MilanoSimmenthal Milano
1965-66Simmenthal MilanoSimmenthal Milano
1966-67Simmenthal MilanoSimmenthal Milano
1967-68Orasonda CantuOrasonda Cantu
1968-69Ignis VareseIgnis Varese
1969-70Ignis VareseIgnis Varese
1970-71Ignis VareseIgnis Varese
1971-72Simmenthal MilanoSimmenthal Milano
1972-73Ignis VareseIgnis Varese
1973-74Ignis VareseIgnis Varese
1974-75Birra Forst CantuBirra Forst Cantu
1975-76Sinudyne BolognaSinudyne Bologna
1976-77Mobilgirgi Varese2-0Sinudyne BolognaSinudyne Bologna
1977-78Mobilgirgi Varese2-1Sinudyne BolognaMobilgirgi Varese
1978-79Sinudyne Bologna2-0Billy MilanoEmerson Varese
1979-80Sinudyne Bologna2-0Gabetti CantuBilly Milano
1980-81Squibb Cantu2-1Sinudyne BolognaTurisanda Varese
1981-82Billy Milano2-0Scavolini PesaroScavolini Pesaro
1982-83Banco di Roma2-1Billy MilanoBanco di Roma
1983-84Granarolo Bologna2-1Simac MilanoSimac Milano
1984-85Simac Milano2-0Scavolini PesaroBanco di Roma
1985-86Simac Milano2-1Mobilgirgi CasertaSimac Milano
1986-87Tracer Milano3-0Mobilgirgi CasertaDivarese Varese
1987-88Tracer Milano3-1Scavolini PesaroDivarese Varese
1988-89Philips Milano3-2Enichem LivornoScavolini Pesaro
1989-90Scavolini Pesaro3-2Ranger VareseScavolini Pesaro
1990-91Phonola Caserta3-2Philips MilanoPhilips Milano
1991-92Benetton Treviso3-1Scavolini PesaroPhilips Milano
1992-93Knorr Bologna3-0Benetton TrevisoKnorr Bologna
1993-94Buckler Beer Bologna3-2Scavolini PesaroBuckler Beer Bologna
1994-95Buckler Beer Bologna3-0Benetton TrevisoBuckler Beer Bologna
1995-96Stefanel Milano3-1Benetton TrevisoBuckler Beer Bologna
1996-97Benetton Treviso3-2Teamsystem BolognaBenetton Treviso
1997-98Kinder Bologna3-2Teamsystem BolognaKinder Bologna
1998-99Pallacanestro Varese3-0Benetton TrevisoTeamsystem Bologna
1999-00Paf Bologna3-1Benetton TrevisoPaf Bologna
2000-01Kinder Bologna3-0Paf BolognaKinder Bologna
2001-02Benetton Treviso3-0Skipper BolognaBenetton Treviso
2002-03Benetton Treviso3-1Skipper BolognaBenetton Treviso
2003-04Montepaschi Siena3-0Skipper BolognaMontepaschi Siena
2004-05Climamio Bologna3-1Armani Jeans MilanoBenetton Treviso
2005-06Benetton Treviso3-1Climamio BolognaClimamio Bologna
2006-07Montepaschi Siena3-0VidiVici BolognaMontepaschi Siena
2007-08Montepaschi Siena4-1Lottomatica Virtus RomaMontepaschi Siena
2008-09Montepaschi Siena4-0Armani Jeans MilanoMontepaschi Siena
2009-10Montepaschi Siena4-0Armani Jeans MilanoMontepaschi Siena
2010-11Montepaschi Siena3-2Bennet CantuMontepaschi Siena
2011-12Montepaschi Siena4-1EA7 Emporio Armani MilanoMontepaschi Siena
2012-13Montepaschi Siena4-1Acea Virtus RomaCimberio Varese
2013-14EA7 Emporio Armani Milano4-3Montepaschi SienaEA7 Emporio Armani Milano
2014-15Grissin Bon Reggio Emila Reggio Emilia3-3Banco di Sardegna SassariEA7 Emporio Armani Milano
2015-16EA7 Emporio Armani Milano4-2Grissin Bon Reggio Emila Reggio EmiliaEA7 Emporio Armani Milano
2016-17Umana Reyer Venezia4-2Dolomiti Energia TrentoEA7 Emporio Armani Milano
2017-18EA7 Emporio Armani Milano4-2Dolomiti Energia TrentoUmana Reyer Venezia
2018-19Umana Reyer Venezia4-3Banco di Sardegna SassariAX Armani Exchange Milano
2019-20Not held [+]
2020-21Virtus Segafredo Bologna4-0AX Armani Exchange MilanoAX Armani Exchange Milano
2021-22AX Armani Exchange Milano4-2Virtus Segafredo BolognaVirtus Segafredo Bologna
2022-23AX Armani Exchange Milano4-3Virtus Segafredo BolognaAX Armani Exchange Milano
2023-24AX Armani Exchange Milano3-1Virtus Segafredo BolognaAX Armani Exchange Milano
2024-25Virtus Segafredo Bologna3-0Germani Basket BresciaVirtus Segafredo Bologna
2025-26Not held

Finals participants

ClubWLTotal
Milano141024
Virtus BO10717
Benetton TV5510
Fortitudo BO279
Mens Sana819
Pesaro156
MI Assi505
Varese314
Cantu123
RO Virtus123
Caserta Pap.123
Reggio Emilia112
Venezia202
Sassari022
Trento022
Triestina112
MI Costanza022
RO Ginnastica202
TO YMCA022
Brescia011
Novara011
Livorno Libertas011
MI Pirelli011
Roma Pro011

Final Four participants

Club1st2nd3rd4th
Virtus BO177166
Varese10183
Mens Sana8111
Benetton TV5532
Venezia50311
Triestina4113
RO Ginnastica4032
MI Assi4000
Cantu321111
Fortitudo BO2743
Pesaro1543
RO Virtus1215
Caserta Pap.1212
MI Costanza1201
Reggio Emilia1101
MI Internazionale1010
Sassari0222
TO YMCA0220
Trento0200
MI Pirelli0130
Brescia0102
Roma Pro0100
Livorno Libertas0100
Bologna0022
Torino0022
MI Pall.19580021
Avellino0021
Venezia Pompieri0020
RO Mussolini0020
Pavia Basket0012
Comense0011
TO CUS0011
NPL Ester0011
Tortona0011
Brescia Forza0010
RO Libertas0010
Padova Petr.0010
Trieste0010
Biella Next0010
Brindisi0010
Trieste Toti0003
Verona0003
Isonzo0002
RO SAzzurra0002
Rieti0002
Lissone0001
RO Giov.Italia0001
MI S.OSA0001
TO Ginnastica0001
Bologna GUF0001
Trieste IsCopy0001
MI Sciesa0001
Monfalcone0001
Gallarate0001
Varese Robur0001
NPL Megaride0001
Cremona0001
Trapani0001

Players with the most appearances in the Italian Finals

PlayerFinals AppearancesYears
Dino Meneghin161969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991
Riccardo Pittis121985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003
Maximilian Hopfner101951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963
Sandro Gamba101951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963
Gianfranco Pieri91957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967
Sandro Riminucci91957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967
Pietro Generali91976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1992
Mike D'Antoni91979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
Denis Marconato91995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011
Tomas Ress92006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017

Players with the most Italian titles

PlayerCountYears Won
Dino Meneghin191969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1982, 1985, 1985, 1986, 1986, 1987, 1987, 1988, 1988, 1989, 1989
Maximilian Hopfner101951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963
Sandro Gamba101951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963
Gianfranco Pieri91957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967
Sandro Riminucci91957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967
Sergio Stefanini81942, 1943, 1944, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954
Enrico Pagani81951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960
Giandomenico Ongaro81958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967
Mario Governa81985, 1986, 1986, 1987, 1987, 1988, 1988, 1989
Riccardo Pittis81985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1997, 2002, 2003