Lake of Como. Dolce Vita and a Serie A-Hotspot

Football trips to Como 1907 lead to one of the most exciting clubs in Italy's Serie A. In the idyllic setting of Lake Como, the club's Indonesian backers have quietly formed a team that now attracts even the biggest names.

Former Inter legend Lothar Herbert Matthäus has retained his Franconian dialect. That’s a good thing. In documentaries about the successful 1990 World Cup, which celebrated its 35th anniversary this year, Germany’s most capped international always liked to talk about his residence at the time, the “Gomer See.”

Even back then, football stars from Milan appreciated the charm of Lake Como, the Dolce Vita at Italy’s third-largest lake.

But football? Calcio was dormant here for more than 35 years.

Football trips Italy: Since 2024 also to Lake Como

It was in 1989 that Inter Milan, with German pros Lothar Matthäus and Andreas Brehme († 2024), won the title, and Como played in Serie A for the last time for a long while.

During Como 1907’s absence, the club dropped as far as the fourth division, the Lega Pro Seconda Divisione, in the 2008/2009 season.

Since 2021, Como 1907 played in Serie B until finally returning to Serie A in 2024. Tenth place, 13 wins, and 49 points marked Como’s best Serie A finish since the early 1950s, when Italy and Lake Como were still places of longing.

The only 18-year-old striker Assane Diao amazed fans and pundits with 15 goals in 15 Serie A matches.

Who is behind Como 1907?

The club's incredible rise – formerly known as Como Calcio – began with the bankruptcy of its predecessor in 2017.

At that time, the insolvency administrators struggled to find a new investor; only in the fourth round of bidding did the bankrupt Como Calcio go to Akosua Essien, wife of football star Michael Essien. After the collapse and relegation to the fourth division, the Indonesian business family Sent Entertainment Ltd. took over in 2019. Behind the company are brothers Budi and Michael Bambang Hartono.

According to Forbes Magazine, Michael Bambang Hartono’s fortune in 2018 was estimated at $18.5 billion.

In 2021, the first football celebrity of the new era appeared in Como – a club that once featured players like Nicola Amoruso, Carlo Cudicini, Roberto di Zerbi, Andrea Fortunato († 1995), and the legendary Paolo Rossi.

Former England international Dennis Wise initially joined Lake Como as a freelance consultant before becoming CEO.

Wise, a member of the fabled 1988 “Crazy Gang” of FA Cup winners FC Wimbledon, still holds responsibility at Como 1907.

Cesc Fabregas Como 1907: A new success coach

From 2023 onward, the new owners managed to attract big names to the lake. According to Transfermarkt.de, all 18 of the most expensive signings in Como’s history came in the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons.

Among them were German striker Nicolas Kühn from Celtic Glasgow (€19 million transfer fee), Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina from Dinamo Zagreb (€18 million), and record signing Jesus Rodriguez

from Conference League finalists Betis Sevilla (€22.5 million) ahead of the 2025/2026 season.

However, the most prominent name remains Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish World Cup and European Championship winner ended his playing career at Como in the 2022/2023 season. Fabregas played for FC Barcelona, Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, and AS Monaco.

In his first role as head coach, he led Como 1907 to 10th place in Serie A last season.

Como football stadium: Can you spot celebrities here?

This notable success caught the attention not only of Italy’s critical press. Around Lake Como, celebrities such as Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant (Notting Hill), and Oscar winner Adrien Brody are sometimes spotted in the small Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, which lies directly by the lake and has a capacity of just 12,000.

“Since one of Indonesia’s richest business families took over the provincial club,” news.at reported in May 2025, “movie stars are now cheering instead of ultras. The small club has become a big stage – and a brand.”

Which celebrities live on Lake Como?

Lake Como is a hotspot for celebrities. Many stars own villas on the Lago di Como, including actor George Clooney (The American), who owns Villa Oleandra in Laglio. Pop icon Madonna (“Like a Virgin”), action legend Sylvester Stallone (who filmed Escape to Victory in 1981 with football stars like Bobby Moore, Pelé, and Osvaldo Ardiles), Brad Pitt (Inglourious Basterds), and fashion designer Donatella Versace are also frequent visitors.

Lake Como was also a filming location in 2007 for the debut of new “James Bond” actor and Liverpool fan Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. In front of Villa Balbianello in Tremezzina, not only were shots fired, but also the legendary words spoken: “My name is Bond. James Bond.”

When is the best time to travel to Lake Como?

Between July and September, Lake Como reaches its highest water temperature of over 20 degrees Celsius.
A trip to Lago di Como is especially worthwhile during these months. Lots of sunshine, little rain, and new transfer rumors about Como every day in July and August – most recently about Álvaro Morata from AC Milan – that’s the holiday and football life you imagine in Italy.

What should you definitely do at Lake Como?

Lake Como offers a wealth of holiday attractions. From exploring Como’s old town and taking the Brunate funicular to visiting numerous villas (see above), the medieval Bellagio, or joining the “Dolce Vita in Menaggio” tour – it doesn’t get more Italian than this.
In other words: somewhere between Dolce Vita and Serie A hotspot.

When does Como 1907 play SSC Napoli?

The Italian champions SSC Napoli will visit Lake Como only toward the end of the 2025/2026 season, on May 3, 2026.

When does Como 1907 face Inter Milan?

Football giant Inter Milan at the up-and-comer in Como – this duel, which didn’t change the outcome of the 2025 title race despite Inter’s 2–0 win, takes place on April 12, 2026.

When will Juventus Turin visit Como 1907?

Italy’s record champions Juventus Turin will visit on matchday seven (October 19, 2025) at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.