CONFIRMED: Zebre up for sale

NEWS: The United Rugby Championship welcomed the Federazione Italiana Rugby’s invitation for greater investment into the franchise held by Zebre and the ambition to increase the competitiveness of the Italian teams within the league.

The URC said in a statement it will provide its full support throughout this process to both Zebre Rugby (Ltd) and other interested parties to ensure that the higher standards required by the FIR for the franchise align with the requirements of the league.

“This is viewed as a positive development for both the league and the Italian game,” the statement said.

FIR Board opens expressions of interest for acquiring Zebre Rugby Ltd

The FIR has made available the entire share capital of Zebre Rugby (Ltd) for transfer.

This is to enhance the competitiveness of two Italian franchises in the United Rugby Championship with interested parties expressing a minimum commitment of six seasons and shared sports direction between FIR and ownership of the franchise.

The FIR Board, meeting in Rome on Tuesday, December 17, announced its availability to transfer its shareholding – amounting to 100 percent – of Zebre Rugby (Ltd), a participant in the URC and competitions organized by the European Professional Club Rugby.

Expressions of interest from interested parties must be submitted to the FIR by January 15, with FIR reserving the right to continue direct management of the franchise for the 2025/26 season if it chooses.

The complete documentation for the submission of such expressions can be downloaded from federugby.it

The potential transfer of the franchise may take place under terms and conditions suitable to enable the new ownership to manage participation in events planned to start from the 2025/26 season, continuing to ensure the presence of two Italian sports entities in international European club competitions.

Among the non-negotiable requirements identified by the Federation for submitting expressions of interest are the explicit prohibition of transferring activities outside the national territory of Italy, the availability of a stadium with a minimum capacity of five thousand seats, an annual economic and financial budget not less than the FIR contribution provided for the 2025/26 season, and the commitment to share with the Federation sports decisions consistent with the objectives of participation in URC and EPCR.

FIR will retain full ownership of participation rights, guaranteeing the potential new ownership – for the entire duration of involvement in URC and EPCR events and, in any case, for a period of no less than six seasons.

This is a strategic move aimed at increasing the sporting competitiveness and commercial attractiveness of the franchises and, consequently, of the Italian Men’s National Team.