Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte confirmed the new measure in a television address on Monday.
Conte said the suspension – which is part of a countrywide lockdown – would go into effect on Tuesday.
“We’re having an important growth in infection... and of deaths,” he said.
“We all must give something up for the good of Italy.
“We have to do it now, and we’ll only be able if we all collaborate and adapt to these more stringent measures.
“This is why I decided to adopt even more strong and severe measures to contain the advance... and protect the health of all citizens.”
Earlier on Monday, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), which oversees all sporting events in the country and had initially recommended the ban to the Italian government, said it would last until April 3.
Italy’s top-tier Serie A had resumed on Sunday with five games played in empty stadiums.
Sassuolo hosted Brescia on Monday, also behind closed doors.
Teams have either 12 or 13 games to play, with eight-time defending champion Juventus holding a one-point lead over Lazio.
The competition has not been cancelled since World War II.
The suspension doesn’t apply to Italian teams in international sporting events; Juventus, Napoli and Atalanta are each competing in the Champions League, while Inter Milan and Roma are still in the Europa League.
