The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP) is close to finalizing a governance-sharing agreement with Sport e Salute, the state-owned sports development company, that would transform how Italy manages its marquee tennis events—turning them from isolated competitions into nationwide platforms for economic impact and public health promotion.
Why This Matters
• New governance model: A 5-member organizing committee will split control of the ATP Finals in Turin between FITP, Sport e Salute, the Ministry of Sport, regional authorities, and the host city.
• Economic scale: The Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome generated €1 billion in territorial economic impact in its most recent edition, with €165 M in tax receipts—triple the direct government subsidy.
• Infrastructure push: Construction on a €60 M retractable roof for Rome's Centrale begins in June 2026, promising year-round use and 12,500-seat capacity by 2028.
From Local Win to National Strategy
Angelo Binaghi, president of FITP, confirmed that the federation has reached a preliminary framework with the Ministry of Sport to allow Sport e Salute to re-enter the operational chain for the Nitto ATP Finals, scheduled for 15-22 November 2026 at Turin's Inalpi Arena. The partnership, mandated by a recent sports decree, requires joint organizational responsibility between FITP and the state entity—a shift from the federation's previous near-total control.
"We completed the first step: establishing a legal framework compatible with both Italian law and the ATP contract we signed and renewed," Binaghi explained following the Internazionali d'Italia in Rome. "In the coming days, we'll keep negotiating. There are all the conditions to do well together. Sport e Salute is fundamental for us—it lets us move beyond a local scope and turn the Finals into an event the entire country experiences year-round, the way World Cups and Olympics do."
The decree introduces a five-person organizing committee for Turin: one member designated by the Sports Ministry (in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Finance), one by the Turin mayor, one by the Piemonte regional president, one by FITP, and one by Sport e Salute. Crucially, ticket revenue and commercial proceeds—which topped €14 M in 2024—must now be shared with Sport e Salute, though the split ratio remains under negotiation.
What This Means for Residents
For Italians, the immediate consequence is greater public accountability over events financed partly by state capital. Sport e Salute drafted Turin's original bid dossier but was largely sidelined during execution; the new law corrects that imbalance. The partnership model also positions Italy to replicate national school sports programs and grassroots inclusion initiatives alongside the Finals' media visibility. In practical terms, expect tennis clinics, public screenings, and health-screening fairs in cities far from Turin during the November tournament window—similar to outreach efforts held during the Rome Internazionali.
The governance shake-up applies retroactively to the 2026-2030 contract period, meaning Turin's sixth consecutive hosting year will be the first under the shared-control regime. Alberto Cirio, president of the Piemonte region, downplayed friction, stating it was "right to involve institutions more when public money is significant."
Rome's Billion-Euro Showcase and Infrastructure Leap
The Internazionali BNL d'Italia, in its most recent edition, posted record figures that underscore why the central government wants a larger say. Binaghi reported €1 billion in economic impact across the region, generating €165 M in fiscal receipts and a €470 M social return on investment. Nearly 7,000 new tennis players were recruited as a direct result of the tournament's visibility. Attendance surpassed 400,000 over the fortnight, with a single-day record of 43,000 visitors on site—despite rain interruptions.
Diego Nepi Molineris, CEO of Sport e Salute, announced that construction on the retractable roof for the Centrale court will begin immediately after the Premier Padel event concludes at the Foro Italico. The €60 M project features 8,300 m² of coverage (6,500 m² fixed, 1,700 m² retractable), expanded seating from 10,500 to 12,500, plus 2,000 m² of panoramic terraces and improved accessibility. The 18-month timeline includes a pause during the 2027 Internazionali, with completion targeted for 2028.
"We've gone from measuring only sporting performance, to calculating GDP impact, to discussing SROI—social return on investment—tourist inflows, school engagement, all elements core to Sport e Salute's mission to evolve the country," Nepi said. He credited over 3,000 professionals and collaborators, average age 27, for making the tournament progressively more modern, international, and sustainable each year.
Binaghi Pushes Back on Financing Allegations
During the Rome press conference, Binaghi addressed media reports alleging misuse of public funds related to FITP's investment in a media group. "The €16 M we receive from Sport e Salute flows into a dedicated account for national technical sector expenses and represents one-third of total spending in that area. Not one euro the state gives us is spent elsewhere. It's all traceable, so the idea that we used public money to buy into a newspaper group has zero foundation."
He also criticized the decision to broadcast matches on TV8 instead of Rai 1, noting that viewership this year was "half what it was last edition"—a "serious loss" in reach for a tournament bankrolled in part by taxpayer capital.
Long-Term Implications: ATP Finals as National Platform
Sport e Salute's integration into the ATP Finals governance offers structural advantages beyond Turin. The state company operates nationwide school sports programs and community-based grassroots initiatives that build sports hubs in underserved neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces. Linking these efforts to the Finals opens pathways for regional satellite events and tennis-based initiatives that can nurture player development year-round—not just during the November window.
The governance model also reduces geographic concentration risk. Previously, FITP bore the financial and reputational burden if ticket sales flagged or sponsors withdrew. Under the new framework, five institutional stakeholders share exposure, making the event more resilient to economic shocks and political turnover.
Whether the partnership delivers on Binaghi's vision of a year-round, nationally distributed tennis celebration depends largely on how revenue and decision-making authority are allocated in the coming weeks. Early signs suggest pragmatism on both sides: Binaghi acknowledged the legal necessity; Sport e Salute secured formal recognition as co-organizer after being left on the sidelines for years.
For everyday Italians, the upshot is straightforward: tennis events are increasingly treated as economic and public-health initiatives, not just sporting competitions. The €1 billion Rome figure and the upcoming Turin negotiations signal that tennis in Italy occupies a more strategic role, with accountability, infrastructure, and grassroots reach to match.
