Sport in Italy is built on a predominantly public model: around 70% of sports facilities are owned by the state or by local authorities. This structure, however, comes with a growing challenge. More than 40% of Italian sports facilities were built between the 1970s and 1980s and now require major renovation, modernization, and energy-efficiency upgrades.

The latest Sport Report highlights how infrastructure is not merely a technical issue but a strategic public policy tool. Investments in this sector generate significant social and economic value. Projects financed by the Institute for Sports and Cultural Credit (ICSC), a public body supporting sport and culture, show a Social Return on Investment (SROI) above 4.8: for every euro invested, nearly five euros are returned to society. The impact is even higher—over eight euros per euro invested—for projects with a strong social and territorial focus, thanks to positive effects on health, inclusion, and social cohesion.

Presenting the report, Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi stressed that sport is no longer a secondary policy area but a core component of government action aimed at improving quality of life and community well-being. ICSC President Beniamino Quintieri added that the report confirms the importance of reliable, up-to-date data to effectively guide public policy in the sports sector.