Serie B 2026/2027 calendar released: season starts 22 August with Empoli vs Cremonese

The fixture list for the 95th Serie B season was officially unveiled at the Teatro dei Filarmonici in Ascoli, as reported by [Gazzetta dello Sport](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-B/22-07-2026/serie-b-calendario-2026-2027-campionato-live-diretta.shtml). The 2026/2027 campaign kicks off on 22 August 2026, with the traditional Open Day on 21 August.

Twenty clubs will compete: Cremonese, Verona and Pisa arrive from Serie A, while Vicenza, Arezzo, Benevento and Ascoli are promoted from Serie C. The championship maintains its asymmetric format with four midweek rounds and a Christmas fixture.

Matchday one features several standout ties: Empoli host Cremonese, Verona face Ascoli, and Pisa take on Padova. The highlight fixture is Palermo against Juve Stabia, while Cesena managed by Alessandro Diamanti face Sampdoria led by Bernardo Corradi. The round also includes Avellino-Arezzo, Benevento-Modena, Carrarese-Mantova, Vicenza-Catanzaro and Sudtirol-Virtus Entella.

Serie B president Paolo Bedin praised last season's record numbers: "I hope we can surpass the extraordinary figures of last season, which was decided on the final day. We are delighted to welcome back Ascoli along with Vicenza, Arezzo and Benevento."

The top two teams earn direct promotion to Serie A, while sides finishing 3rd through 8th enter the playoffs. The bottom three are relegated to Serie C, with 4th-last and 5th-last contesting the playout.

Sources

• Gazzetta dello Sport