When Italy surprises in global sports

When people think of Italian sports, the first thing that usually comes to mind is soccer, which has in fact been the most popular sport in the country for decades. However, in recent years Italy has achieved surprising results in less traditional disciplines as well.
Some of these sports are very popular in other parts of the world, but have historically received less attention in Italy. And yet today more and more Italian athletes are emerging precisely in these disciplines. Baseball, rugby, curling, tennis and even Formula 1 are experiencing a special moment thanks to a new generation of Italian athletes who are achieving important results at an international level.
These successes are not only attracting media attention but are also changing the way many young Italians see sports. More and more young people are choosing to try activities that, until a few years ago, were considered “niche”.

Baseball: the upset against the United States.

One of the most surprising results of recent years involves baseball, a sport that is almost a religion in the United States but remains relatively less widespread in Italy. During the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the Italian national team achieved a stunning victory against the United States, one of the strongest teams in the world. In a game played in Houston, the Azzurri managed to win 8–6, after having taken an impressive 8–0 lead in the early stages of the game.
For American fans it was a shock, while for Italian baseball it was a historic moment. Many players on the Italian national team have Italian-American roots and play in North American professional leagues. This combination of American tradition and Italian identity has contributed to raising the team’s level.
The result showed that even a country where baseball is not the main sport can compete with the traditional powers of the game.

Rugby: a historic win against England.

Another sport in which Italy is growing significantly is rugby.
The Italian national team has been competing in the Six Nations tournament since 2000. For many years, the team was considered the weakest in the competition. In recent years, however, the situation has been changing thanks to a new generation of players who are more competitive and more confident.
In 2026, Italy achieved a historic victory against England, one of the strongest teams in the world. The match, played at Rome’s Olympic Stadium, ended 23–18  in favor of the Azzurri.
The Roman crowd celebrated the win as a historic moment for Italian rugby. Many sports commentators emphasized that this team has finally proven it can compete with the major European rugby powers.

Curling: the Olympic gold that changed everything.

Among the lesser-known sports in Italy is curling, a winter sport that is very popular in Canada and Northern European countries.
For years, curling was almost unknown to the Italian public. Everything changed during the Beijing 2022 Olympics, when the Italian pair Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner won the gold medal in mixed doubles.
It was the first Olympic medal in the history of Italian curling, and the Italian duo achieved an extraordinary result by winning every single match in the tournament.
After that success, many Italians discovered this sport, and curling began to receive much more attention. Interest grew even further with the approach of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Tennis: the “Sinner effect” on young Italians.

· Baseball came to Italy after World War II, thanks to American soldiers stationed at military bases.

· Rugby is especially popular in Northern Italy, particularly in Veneto, where in some cities it rivals soccer.

· Before the 2023 victory, Italy had not won the Davis Cup since 1976.

· Curling in Italy is mainly practiced in Alpine regions such as Trentino–Alto Adige, where the necessary ice facilities are available.

· Jannik Sinner became the first Italian to reach world No. 1 in the ATP rankings.

· Andrea Kimi Antonelli was named “Kimi” after Finnish driver Kimi Räikkönen, Formula 1 world champion.