Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A.

What Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A. does

Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A. is a privately held Italian professional football club headquartered at Via Casteldebole 10, Bologna, and competing in Serie A at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. Founded on October 3, 1909, the club operates a multi-product platform spanning first-team and women's football (Bologna Women), a youth development system (Primavera, U-18 Academy, BFC Academy), and community programs (Kids Club, Kids Stand, Il Dall'Ara Racconta educational tours, BFC Senza Barriere accessibility initiative). It is controlled by Canadian owner Joey Saputo, whose family Forbes values at $6.4 billion, with a sister-club relationship to CF Montréal under common ownership.

The club's commercial and operational technology includes an RFID-enabled 'We Are One' fan loyalty card for stadium access, an integrated online ticketing and season-ticket platform tied to a MyBFC account system, a multilingual official website (bolognafc.it), the BFC TV video platform, and an e-commerce merchandise storefront (bolognafcstore.com) operated in partnership with Fanatics. Revenue is generated across six streams: matchday (tickets and Selenella CLUB hospitality), season ticket subscriptions, merchandise sales (sixfold growth since the 2022 Fanatics partnership), player transfer trading, broadcasting rights (Serie A and UEFA distributions), and multi-sector sponsorship (Macron as kit supplier, plus partners across automotive, finance, food, and sustainability).

Recent strategic milestones include the 2024-25 Coppa Italia victory (ending a 51-year trophy drought), first UEFA Champions League qualification since 1964-65 in 2024-25, a Europa League quarter-final in 2025-26, and the 2026-27 season ticket campaign surpassing 10,000 subscribers. The club is undergoing a leadership reset, with Domenico Tedesco appointed head coach in May 2026 following the departure of Vincenzo Italiano, and Luigi Piangerelli appointed Technical Director of the Male Youth Sector in June 2026.

Name

Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A.

Legal name

Bologna Football Club 1909 S.p.A.

Website

https://bolognafc.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A. is a privately held Serie A football club founded in 1909 in Bologna, Italy, owned by the Saputo family. It operates first-team and women's football, a youth academy, fan-engagement programs, and a Fanatics-driven merchandise business.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Football Club

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Team Sports Matches (Club & National) (MPAGAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Major League Stadiums (MPAKAEAA), Soccer Equipment Retail (CRAMAEAC), Venue & Facility Sponsorship (Naming Rights, Venue Partners) (MPAKALAC)

Keywords

• Professional football club
• Matchday ticket sales
• Official sports merchandise
• Youth football academy
• Stadium hospitality services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bologna

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Matchday Revenue: Revenue from ticket sales for home matches at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, including premium hospitality areas such as the Selenella CLUB
2. Season Tickets: Annual subscription model offering discounted access to all home Serie A matches, with special tiers for families (Kids Stand) and premium seating
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of official club merchandise including kits, apparel, and accessories through official store, ecommerce, and wholesale channels; Fanatics partnership drives sixfold growth in merchandise sales since 2022
4. Player Transfers: Revenue generated from selling players to other clubs, including academy products and established players; key revenue stream for club sustainability
5. Broadcasting Rights: Revenue from Serie A and UEFA competition broadcasting deals, including Champions League participation and Europa League qualification
6. Sponsorship and Partnerships: Commercial partnerships with kit suppliers, water suppliers, ice cream partners, and various commercial sponsors across multiple categories

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A. operates a professional Italian football club competing in Serie A and UEFA competitions, selling matchday tickets and season tickets for home games at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, official merchandise through its e-commerce and retail channels, and premium hospitality experiences. The club also runs youth development programs, an academy, and fan engagement initiatives including BFC TV content and the We Are One RFID loyalty card.

Product overview

Bologna FC 1909 S.p.A. operates a multi-platform digital ecosystem centered on its official website (bolognafc.it) and supported by BFC TV for video content, the Fanatics-operated merchandise store, and season ticket programs. The club's product portfolio includes youth development programs (Under 18 Academy, Primavera Team), fan engagement initiatives (Kid's Stand family area, Kids Club), and accessibility programs (BFC Senza Barriere). The We Are One Card loyalty program provides RFID-based stadium access and fan engagement. BFC Academy extends the club's reach through training programs, while Il Dall'Ara Racconta offers educational stadium tours.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Season Tickets (Campagna Abbonamenti) Annual subscription program providing fans access to all home Serie A matches at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, with dedicated family and premium seating tiers. The 2026-27 campaign reached over 10,000 subscribers.
• Matchday Tickets Single-match tickets for home Serie A and European matches purchased through the official online platform with MyBFC account integration.
• Official Merchandise Store (bolognafcstore.com) Official e-commerce and retail store for club merchandise including kits, apparel, and accessories; operated in partnership with Fanatics with domestic and international shipping.
• Premium Hospitality (Selenella CLUB / Gold Grandstand) Premium matchday hospitality packages at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara offering exclusive Selenella CLUB access, dedicated catering, and corporate entertainment services.
• BFC TV Official video content platform featuring match highlights, press conferences, player interviews, youth team coverage, and behind-the-scenes club content.
• BFC Academy Football training academy offering structured skills training and youth football development programs.
• Kids Club Junior fan club membership program providing exclusive content, activities, and experiences for young Bologna FC supporters.
• Il Dall'Ara Racconta (Educational Stadium Tours) Educational stadium tour program for schools providing weekly visits to Stadio Renato Dall'Ara including gallery, press room, locker room, and pitch access.
• BFC Senza Barriere (Accessibility Program) Accessibility and inclusion program enabling disabled supporters to fully participate in matchday experiences at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.
• We Are One Card (Fidelity Card) RFID-enabled fan loyalty card providing stadium turnstile access (within 6 cm proximity reading) and supporting digital membership and ticketing services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Champions League qualification achieved for first time since 1964-65
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FanaticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-term expanded partnership with Fanatics covering official licensing, design, manufacturing, wholesale, marketplace rights, and ecommerce operations. Since 2022 partnership, merchandise sales grew sixfold. Current season shows 25% ecommerce growth and 15% store retail growth vs 2024-25 record campaign.
• Acqua Santa CroceminorOthersOfficial water supplier for 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons. Provides mineral water for First Team, Youth Academy, and Women's Team. Present in Stadio Renato Dall'Ara hospitality areas. Emphasizes sustainability with 100% recyclable materials and energy self-sufficiency.
• AlgidaminorOthersOfficial Ice Cream Partner for 2025-26 season. Founded in 1947, Algida brings heritage and innovation to club's family-focused initiatives. Partnership aligns with Bologna's expansion to younger audiences and family-oriented matchday experiences.
• MacroncoreOthersTechnical kit supplier providing official match shirts, training gear, and club apparel. Long-standing partnership providing official merchandise and technical clothing.
• SelenellaminorOthersSelenella brand associated with premium hospitality area (Selenella CLUB) at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. Provides exclusive catering services and premium matchday experiences.
• CF MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister club relationship under common ownership of Joey Saputo. CF Montréal competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) with MLS's lowest payroll at $12 million. Cross-club collaboration and shared development philosophy.
• JuventusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLoan swap arrangement involving Emil Holm (to Juventus) and Joao Mario (to Bologna) during 2025-26 season. Juventus considering permanent transfer options for Holm at €15M.
• Various Commercial SponsorsminorOthersClub maintains partnerships with sponsors across diverse sectors including automotive (Volvo), finance (Banca di Bologna, MyES), sustainability (Gruppo Hera), food (Granarolo, Parmigiano Reggiano, Selenella, Poggipolini), and sportswear (Macron, CP Company).

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Udinese Calcio: Mid-tier Serie A club owned by the Pozzo family with a long-established reputation for player trading and scouting. Highly comparable to Bologna's transfer-revenue-driven model and mid-table sporting profile.
• US Sassuolo Calcio: Smaller Serie A club (and frequent yo-yo between Serie A and B) with a strong identity in player development and trading, mirroring Bologna's academy-driven model. Operates at a similar scale in the talent-export market.
• Genoa Cricket and Football Club: One of Italy's oldest football clubs with a comparable heritage, fan base, and Serie A footprint. Operates a similar blend of matchday, broadcasting, and commercial revenue streams in the Italian top flight.
• Parma Calcio 1913: Historic Italian club with a similar Serie A scale, heritage, and commercial profile, having experienced relegation and recovery cycles. Provides a directly comparable peer in terms of brand value and revenue mix.
• ACF Fiorentina: Historic Italian Serie A club of similar size, fan base, and revenue profile. Competes with Bologna for European qualification, operates a similar multi-revenue model (matchday, broadcasting, merchandise, transfers), and is also owned by a wealthy foreign-controlled group (Rocco Commisso).
• Atalanta B.C. Mid-sized Serie A club with a comparable profile of strong youth development, player-trading revenue, and recent European participation. Both clubs compete for the same European qualification slots and operate a similar buy-low/sell-high talent model.
• Hellas Verona FC: Historic Italian club operating at a similar revenue scale in Serie A, with a comparable matchday, broadcasting, and sponsorship mix. Competes for survival and mid-table positions similar to where Bologna has historically operated.
• Torino F.C. Historic Italian club with a similar size, market (Turin metropolitan area), and Serie A standing. Operates a comparable mix of matchday, broadcasting, and sponsorship revenue and competes for mid-table / European qualification positions.

Broad incumbents

• Brighton & Hove Albion: Premier League club with a comparable mid-tier profile and a globally admired model of scouting, youth development, and player trading. Provides a useful international benchmark for Bologna's player-trading flywheel, albeit in a much larger-revenue league.
• Aston Villa: Premier League club owned by a wealthy foreign owner group that has surged up the table, qualified for European competition, and significantly grown commercial revenues. Directly comparable to Bologna's recent trajectory and a benchmark for what Saputo ownership could unlock at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BfcOfficialPage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A.