La Gazzetta dello Sport: History & English Access

Few newspapers carry the same cultural weight as the one that prints on pink paper and has shaped Italian sports for more than a century. La Gazzetta dello Sport is the daily ritual that connects Italian fans to everything from Serie A football to the Giro d’Italia, and it has been doing so since 1896. Whether you are a long-time follower or just discovering its coverage, this article unpacks its history, explains how to access it in English, and answers the most common questions readers have.

Founded: 1896 ·
Owner: RCS MediaGroup ·
Language: Italian ·
Daily circulation (2016): ~316,000 ·
Website: gazzetta.it

Seven details that define the newspaper at a glance contrast the breadth of its coverage and the depth of its history.

What is La Gazzetta dello Sport?

Overview of an Italian institution

• La Gazzetta dello Sport is an Italian daily newspaper dedicated to coverage of various sports (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
• It is the most widely read daily newspaper of any type in Italy, a status it has held for decades (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
• Its distinctive pink paper has become one of the most recognizable visual features in Italian media (World Soccer – football culture magazine).

Key characteristics: pink paper, sports focus

• The newspaper is commonly called simply “la Gazzetta” in commentary and reporting (World Soccer – football culture magazine).
• Its English branding translates as “The Sports Gazette” (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
• La Gazzetta dello Sport operates as a multiplatform information system, according to its corporate brand page (CairoRCS Media – official corporate site).

The implication: what started as a simple sports sheet has become a multi-platform brand that still centres on print but now includes digital, TV, and social channels.

When was La Gazzetta dello Sport founded?

Founding in 1896

• La Gazzetta dello Sport was founded in 1896 (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
• The first issue came out on April 2, 1896 (Gazzetta official history page – newspaper’s own archive).
• Originally printed on green pages, it switched to pink three years later (World Soccer – football culture magazine).

The creation of the Giro d’Italia

• In 1909, the newspaper created the Giro d’Italia cycling race to boost its own sales, following the model of the Tour de France and L’Auto (Italian Cycling Journal – expert cycling blog).
• By 2009, the newspaper celebrated 100 years of the Giro d’Italia, cementing the race as a core part of its identity (Gazzetta official history page – newspaper’s own archive).

The pattern: the Giro was a circulation booster that became a national institution. The newspaper didn’t just report sport — it invented one.

How can I read La Gazzetta dello Sport in English?

Official website and digital platforms

• The official website gazzetta.it is primarily in Italian but offers some English sections, especially for live match updates and major cycling events.
• It became the first Italian newspaper to launch a website in 1997 (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
• The newspaper also operates a mobile app for iOS and Android, available in Italian with partial English menus.

Social media channels with English content

• Facebook and Instagram pages occasionally post in English for international followers, especially during Serie A or cycling Grand Tours.
• Live video content on platforms like YouTube often includes English commentary for major events.

Steps to access English content

1. Visit gazzetta.it and use the language toggle (usually top-right) to switch to English, though the selection may be limited.
2. Search for “Gazzetta dello Sport English” on social media to find official accounts that post bilingual content.
3. Use third-party translation tools like Google Translate or browser extensions to read articles in English — this works well for news pieces.
4. Follow the newspaper’s Twitter account for real-time updates, many of which are posted in both languages.

The trade-off: full access requires comfort with Italian. The English layer exists but is not comprehensive, limiting the depth for readers who don’t speak the language.

How does La Gazzetta dello Sport compare to Corriere dello Sport?

Main differences in coverage and circulation

• Corriere dello Sport is another major Italian sports daily, founded in 1924 (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
• La Gazzetta dello Sport has a higher circulation and is more closely associated with cycling and the Giro d’Italia (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
• Both are owned by different media groups but compete head-to-head for readership (CairoRCS Media – official corporate site).

Historical rivalry and market share

• Corriere dello Sport has traditionally focused more on football, while Gazzetta covers a broader range of sports.
• Gazzetta’s pink paper remains a stronger brand identifier than Corriere’s blue pages.

The catch: while Corriere is a strong competitor, Gazzetta’s century-long relationship with cycling and its earlier digital move give it an edge in brand recognition both inside and outside Italy.

Does La Gazzetta dello Sport cover cricket?

Sports coverage beyond football and cycling

• La Gazzetta dello Sport primarily covers football, cycling, motorsports, tennis, and basketball (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
• Cricket coverage is minimal but exists for major international events like the Cricket World Cup.
• The newspaper does not have a dedicated cricket section or regular beat reporters for the sport.

Cricket in Italy and Gazzetta’s reporting

• Cricket is a minority sport in Italy, with a small but growing domestic scene.
• During the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Gazzetta published a few online articles summarizing Italy’s involvement or major matches, but it was not a priority topic.

The implication: if you’re looking for cricket coverage, Gazzetta is not your primary source. For mainstream Italian sports like football and cycling, however, it remains unrivalled.

Voices from the press

More than just a newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport is a guide to Italy.

— World Soccer

La Gazzetta’s pink pages track the pulse of Italian sport.

— ESPN

The newspaper has been making the Italian sports heart beat for 125 years.

— CairoRCS Media – official corporate site

For Italian sports fans, the choice is clear: whether in print or online, La Gazzetta remains the essential daily companion for following the teams, riders, and stories that define Italian sport.

For a deeper dive into the newspaper’s origins and cultural impact, readers can explore the history of La Gazzetta dello Sport on Public Journal.

Frequently asked questions