Italian sports clubs season preparations

In mid‑July Napoli Basket president Matt Rizzetta announced a multi‑sport expansion that will place the A2 men’s volleyball team Virtus Volley Napoli under a new joint company, giving him majority ownership while keeping the volleyball group’s sporting management. The plan aims for promotion to Italy’s Superlega within two seasons, with formalisation expected by the end of July. Simultaneously, the Veneto football federation set dates for its regional re‑draft, laying administrative groundwork for the upcoming football season. By early August a broader wave of Italian clubs across volleyball, basketball and football disclosed staff, player and sponsor arrangements for the 2026‑27 campaign. Volleyball clubs confirmed medical teams and youth squads; basketball side Virtus Bologna completed its roster and pursued a new main sponsor; numerous football clubs announced full squads, registrations and preseason training, showing a coordinated push to solidify multi‑sport structures. On 1 August the trend continued. ErbeNobili Basket Corato appointed Vincenzo Mazzilli as director‑general and youth sector head to stabilise the club after logistical setbacks. Cisterna Volley listed a full medical staff covering orthopaedics, cardiology, radiology and nutrition. Virtus Bologna moved closer to signing French‑Angolan centre Kevin Kokila and finalising a new main‑sponsor deal after its partnership with Olidata. In football, Larcianese released its complete Eccellenza squad, while Gela, Enna and Castrum Favara detailed summer signings and administrative updates. The Lega Nazionale Dilettanti will publish the Serie D group composition on 5 August, confirming the fourth‑tier structure. On 1 August the Lega Basket Serie A released the 2026‑27 calendar: Virtus Bologna opens away at Varese (27 Sept) and hosts Maxima Roma (4 Oct) before moving to Unipol Hall in December; Dolomiti Energia Trentino starts in Reggio Emilia (27 Sept) with a home game versus Treviso (4 Oct). Monza, newly promoted, added Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Matteo Pessina.