Why Italy's most popular daily newspaper is printed on iconic pink paper

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1896 to cover the first modern Olympic Games, La Gazzetta dello Sport has become an Italian institution. Beyond its signature pink pages and massive readership, this Milan-based publication wields significant influence, from organizing the prestigious Giro d'Italia cycling race to exposing major scandals in professional football.

La Gazzetta dello Sport was established by Eliso Rivera and Eugenio Camillo Costamagna, releasing its inaugural issue on 3 April 1896. While it covers a diverse array of athletic disciplines, football dominates its pages, often occupying 24 to 28 of the paper's 40 daily pages. This focus frequently leans into speculative and sensationalist journalism rather than straightforward match reporting. However, the publication has also demonstrated a capacity for impactful investigative work, most notably playing a central role in uncovering the 2006 Serie A scandal, which resulted in the relegation of Juventus and significant penalties for other prominent clubs.

The newspaper's identity is inextricably linked to its distinctive pink paper. While it briefly reverted to its original green color to mark its 120th anniversary in 2016, the pink remains its hallmark. This visual branding accompanies a long history of evolution; the paper transitioned from a broadsheet to a tabloid format in 2008. Since 1976, it has operated under the RCS MediaGroup, maintaining a robust presence in Italian media with a readership exceeding three million people.

Beyond reporting, the paper acts as a primary architect of Italian sporting culture. It has organized the Giro d'Italia road cycling race since 1909, cementing its status as more than a mere news outlet. Its circulation figures have fluctuated over the decades, from 809,000 copies in 1990 to 445,000 in 2001, and 368,848 in 2008. Despite these shifts, it remains a dominant force in the country's media landscape, with its online presence also securing a high ranking among Italy's most visited websites.

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