A deep dive on one of Italy’s oldest and best-loved clubs, Palermo FC.
Palermo FC recently became the latest Italian club to join the Fan Token™ ecosystem, joining the likes of the Italy National Team, Juventus, AS Roma, SSC Napoli, Inter and AC Milan.
So, who is Palermo FC? When were they founded, where do they play, what have they won, and what does it mean to be a Rosanero fan?
Look no further: we’ve got you covered.
Palermo Football Club: A short history
Palermo Football Club was founded in 1900 as Anglo Palermitan Athletic and Football Club, making it one of Italy’s oldest clubs. Its original staff was made up of natives as well as English sailors and shipyard workers, hence the name.
Based in the Sicilian capital from which it takes its name, the club abandoned its original designation in 1903 and became the Palermo Football Club. Four years later, the original team colours (red and blue) were replaced by those that have become synonymous with the club to this day, pink and black.
In its early years Palermo competed in the Campionato Lega Sud, a football league in Southern Italy, and also contested the Lipton Challenge Cup which featured other teams from Sicily and the south of the mainland (including Napoli).
Eventually, the club graduated to Serie C and, in 1930, to Serie B. Just two years later, Palermo reached the top flight for the first time. On-pitch success coincided with a move to Stadio Littorio, which was subsequently renamed the Stadio Renzo Barbera in honour of the club’s chairman between 1970 and 1980.
Over the decades, Palermo has bounced from league to league according to their fortunes on and off the pitch. All in all, it has spent 29 seasons in Serie A, won five Serie B league titles (the most recent in 2013-14), and appeared in three Coppa Italia finals, most recently in 2010-11.
Palermo’s return to Serie A in 2004 marked their first appearance in the top flight since 1973, and with a number of Italian internationalists in the squad, they earned a sixth-place finish to qualify for the UEFA Cup for the first time.
In subsequent years, Palermo became a mainstay of Serie A before suffering relegation after almost a decade in the top flight, in 2013. Immediate promotion followed when the club achieved a then-record 86 points, but they were relegated once more after the 2016-17 season.
In July 2022, Palermo was purchased by the City Football Group, which described it as “a great and historic club with a strong and proud identity.” As of the 2026-27 season, Palermo play in Serie B.
What is the culture of Palermo FC?
Nicknamed ‘I Rosanero’ (the Pinks and Blacks), Palermo FC is a beloved institution deeply woven into the fabric of the city and the heart of its people.
The club’s fans, many of whom are naturally based in Sicily, are highly passionate and create an intense atmosphere at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, which is awash with flags, flares and tifo displays during home games. Interestingly, the stadium was used for three games at the 1990 World Cup.
Like many Italian clubs, Palermo has a passionate core of fans with groups like the Brigate Rosanero and Warriors Ultra making their presence known during home and away matches. At home, these vocal core fans dominate the Curva Nord.
While many Sicilians throughout Italy and the rest of the world continue to support Palermo, a collective of Germany-based fans even started a club to honour their inspiration, naming it FC Rosaneri.
Who are Palermo’s biggest rivals?
Catania FC, with whom Palermo contest the Sicilian Derby (Derby di Sicilia), are the club’s greatest rivals. While Palermo is located in the island’s cultural and political capital, Catania resides in its industrial heartlands.
The first Sicilian Derby was played in Serie B in 1936 and ended in a 1-1 draw. To this day, the derby remains an intense fixture – though the sides have not played against one another since 2021. Palermo leads the head-to-head 26-20, with 39 draws.
Antonio Fiasconaro, one-time editor of La Sicilia newspaper, has described the Palermo-Catania match as “the mother of all derbies.”
Palermo also has a rivalry with fellow Sicilian side Messina, with their first official match against one another taking place in 1901. Messina, which is situated in the titular harbour city in the northeast of the island, currently competes in Serie D.
Who are Palermo’s greatest ever players?
A number of fine players have represented Palermo over the years, and in 2020 fans voted on those who deserved a place in the club’s Hall of Fame.
The man who received the most votes was Fabrizio Miccoli, Palermo’s all-time top goalscorer and former captain. Over the course of six seasons at the club (2007-2013), Miccoli made 179 appearances, scored 81 goals and made 49 assists.
Other notable names in the XI selected by fans were Luca Toni, Edison Cavani, Paulo Dybala, Eugenio Corini, Fabio Grosso, and Andrea Barzagli.
Palermo FC and fan engagement
Palermo has always had a rich supporter culture, one that has endured throughout many relegations and promotions, and the club’s identity has historically been closely tied to both its fans and the city.
Modern fan engagement has evolved beyond traditional matchday support, with digital experiences providing exciting ways for supporters to interact with their club. The Palermo Fan Token™ is one example of this evolution, granting holders access to polls, rewards, and exclusive experiences.
The Palermo Fan Token is part of a stacked Socios.com ecosystem that includes many of Italy’s top clubs, such as Juventus, AS Roma, SSC Napoli, Inter and AC Milan, as well as the Italian National Team.
FAQs
- What is Palermo FC known for? Its distinctive pink and black kit, rich history, and for being one of Italy’s oldest football clubs.
- Why are Palermo FC called Rosanero? Because they play in pink and black.
- Who is Palermo FC’s biggest rival? Catania FC.
- What is the Sicilian Derby? A highly competitive showdown between Sicily’s biggest clubs, Palermo and Catania.
- Where does Palermo FC play? At the Stadio Renzo Barbera, which boasts a capacity of 36,000.
- How old is Palermo FC? Palermo FC was founded in 1900.
