Italy is famous for its passionate football culture, and its soccer stadiums in Italy rank among the world’s most iconic sports venues. From the colossal San Siro in Milan to the historic Olimpico in Rome, each stadium combines rich history, unique architecture, and electric matchday atmospheres. In this guide we’ll count down the best soccer stadiums in Italy, covering capacity, home teams, and landmark events. Whether you’re a Serie A fan or planning a travel itinerary, these top Italian stadiums should be on your radar.

Table of Contents

Best 10 Soccer Stadiums in Italy

1. Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) – Milan

Exterior of the San Siro Stadium (Giuseppe Meazza) in Milan, Italy. This iconic soccer arena is the shared home of AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Capacity: 80,018 seats (all-seater), making it the largest stadium in Italy and one of Europe’s biggest.
Home Teams: AC Milan and Inter Milan (Derby della Madonnina rivals).
Opened: 1926 (redesigned for the 1990 World Cup). Named after Giuseppe Meazza in 1980, the two-time World Cup winner who starred for both clubs.
Notable Events: Hosted four European Cup/UEFA Champions League finals (1965, 1970, 2001, 2016) and matches in the 1934 and 1990 FIFA World Cups. It will also host the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina.

San Siro’s massive spiral towers and red steel cantilevers are instantly recognizable. Matchdays here are legendary: when AC Milan plays, the stadium turns bright red; for Inter it’s all blue. Fans praise the intense atmosphere of the derby and the stadium’s scale. (See AC Milan’s official site for tour and match info.)

2. Stadio Olimpico – Rome

Stadio Olimpico in Rome at dusk – Italy’s historic Olympic Stadium and home to Serie A clubs AS Roma and SS Lazio.

Capacity: ~72,700 seats. It is the largest stadium in Rome and the second-largest in Italy after San Siro.
Home Teams: AS Roma and SS Lazio, whose fierce Derby della Capitale fills every seat.
Opened: 1953 (originally built 1928–1937, completed and expanded post-WWII). It was renovated for the 1990 World Cup and recently the 2008 European Championships.
Notable Events: Venue for the 1960 Olympic Games, UEFA Euro 1980 final, the 1990 World Cup final, and numerous UEFA finals. Also hosts Supercoppa Italiana and rugby Six Nations.

Located in the Foro Italico sports complex (on the Tiber river bank), Olimpico’s bowl-shaped design and iconic mast roof make it a landmark. The stadium’s history is palpable: it was Italy’s main World Cup venue in 1990. The Romans’ passionate fans – especially Lazio’s ultras or Roma’s Curva Sud – ensure an electric atmosphere. Interested visitors can join guided tours of the arena or check the teams’ sites for match schedules.

3. Stadio Diego Armando Maradona – Naples

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples (formerly Stadio San Paolo) is legendary for its fan atmosphere and Maradona legacy.

Capacity: 54,726 seats, making it the fourth-largest stadium in Italy. (Record attendance was 90,736 in 1974 – a standing-room crowd.)
Home Team: SSC Napoli.
Opened: 1959 (built 1948–59). Renamed in 2020 after Napoli’s iconic number 10, Diego Maradona, who led the club to its only Serie A titles.
Notable Events: Hosted 1960 Rome Olympics football preliminaries and the 1990 World Cup semi-final (Italy–Argentina, Maradona’s tournament).

This seaside stadium sits in the Fuorigrotta district. Napoli’s supporters create one of football’s most passionate atmospheres here – chants, flares, and Maradona banners abound. The Maradona name adds to the lore: it’s where the Argentine superstar was worshipped. Recent renovations (for Euro 2019) modernized seating and fan areas. Visitors can tour the stadium and Napoli museum to learn more about its storied past.

4. Allianz Stadium – Turin (Juventus Stadium)

Allianz Stadium in Turin is Italy’s first modern club-owned stadium, setting the standard for new venues.

Capacity: 41,507 seats (sixth-largest in Italy).
Home Team: Juventus FC.
Opened: 2011 (replaced the old Stadio delle Alpi). It was renamed Allianz Stadium in 2017 for sponsorship.
Notable Events: Hosted the 2014 UEFA Europa League final and the 2021 UEFA Nations League finals, as well as the 2022 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final.

The stadium’s sleek, all-seated design (no running track) brings fans close to the pitch. It quickly became known for excellent sightlines and amenities. The venue also houses Juventus’ J-Museum and retail store. As a modern Serie A stadium, it exemplifies cutting-edge design (one of just four Italian venues with UEFA Category 4 status). Fans can visit the stadium tour and museum, or buy tickets via the Juventus official website.

5. Stadio Artemio Franchi – Florence

Stadio Artemio Franchi is a historic stadium in Florence with distinctive 20th-century architecture.

Capacity: 47,282 seats.
Home Team: ACF Fiorentina.
Opened: 1931, originally named Stadio Giovanni Berta. Designed by engineer Pier Luigi Nervi, it features a famous 70-meter tall concrete tower (the “Tower of Marathon”).
Notable Events: Hosted matches in the 1934 FIFA World Cup (group games and a quarter-final) and soccer events at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

The Franchi is celebrated for its elegant, curved stands and Nervi’s engineering. It’s one of Italy’s classic stadiums, evoking the era of early Italian football architecture. Renovations for Italia ’90 removed the running track and expanded capacity. A unique feature is its spire tower – a symbol of Fiorentina. Fans often tour it in conjunction with the Museo Gigli in Florence.

6. Stadio Luigi Ferraris – Genoa

Stadio Luigi Ferraris is Italy’s oldest football stadium still in use.

Capacity: 33,205 seats.
Home Teams: Genoa CFC and UC Sampdoria.
Opened: 1911 (rebuilt for 1990 World Cup). Named after Luigi Ferraris, an early Genoa player. It’s often called “Marassi” after its neighborhood.
Historical Significance: As the oldest Italian stadium in continuous use, it witnessed the birth of Serie A football. It hosted matches in the 1934 and 1990 World Cups. Its stands have been upgraded several times (last in 2018).

This classic venue has a traditional bowl shape with picturesque views of the Genoa hills. The city’s two teams share the arena, making it unique for passionate rival fans on derby days. Off the field, the stadium is recognized as a cultural monument. Genoa fans regularly gather in its Tribuna, one of Italy’s most historic stands. Visitors can tour the ground via Genoa’s official site or catch Sampdoria matches, as tickets are often shared.

7. Gewiss Stadium (Atleti Azzurri d’Italia) – Bergamo

Gewiss Stadium, in Bergamo’s industrial outskirts, is home to Atalanta’s modern success.

Capacity: 23,439 seats (soon to expand to ~25,000).
Home Team: Atalanta BC.
Opened: 1928 (originally named Stadio Comunale). Atalanta acquired ownership in 2017 and renamed it Gewiss Stadium in 2019.
Awards: In 2023 it won the Serie A “Most Valuable Field” award, reflecting its top-quality pitch after extensive renovation.
Notable: It was the smallest on our list, but Atalanta’s Champions League runs have made it famous. A recent eco-friendly upgrade added solar panels to the roof and new curved stands (to improve acoustics for fans).

Once one of Italy’s most modest venues, Gewiss Stadium has been transformed alongside Atalanta’s rise under coach Gian Piero Gasperini. It’s now known for its intense atmosphere (Atalanta’s supporters fill the curves) and modern amenities. The pitch quality is famously excellent, as reflected by the 2023 award. For visitors: Atalanta’s official site offers stadium tour information, and the venue occasionally hosts international youth matches.

8. Stadio Renato Dall’Ara – Bologna

Bologna’s Renato Dall’Ara Stadium is renowned for its classic design and early innovation.

Capacity: ~36,000 seats (expandable to 55,000 for concerts).
Home Team: Bologna FC.
Opened: 1927, originally named Stadio Littoriale. It was among the first stadiums to integrate the grandstands into the structure rather than use a running track.
Notable Events: Hosted matches in the 1934 and 1990 FIFA World Cups. The famous round arch (“Mussolini’s arch”) above the stands was a 1930s fascist monument (later demolished).

Located in Bologna’s west, Dall’Ara mixes modern stands with a historic feel. The curving grandstands still tower above the pitch, and the stadium retains a roomy athletics track outside of football season. Fans appreciate its old-world charm – red brick and arches – as well as its passionate local support (see the Curva Bulgarelli, Bologna’s main stand). Guided tours are available via Bologna FC’s site, offering museum access as well.

9. Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi – Verona

Verona’s Bentegodi Stadium is one of Italy’s largest, shared by two city teams.

Capacity: 39,211 seats (8th-largest in Italy). Only 31,045 are typically in use due to safety approvals.
Home Teams: Hellas Verona (Serie A) and (formerly) Chievo Verona. Hellas Verona’s famous 1985 Scudetto was cheered on here.
Opened: 1963 for the 1960s European football boom. Renovated in 1989 for Italy’s 1990 World Cup (hosted three group games).
Unique Feature: A 2009 renovation added a 1MW solar panel array on the north stand roof, powering the stadium.

Bentegodi has a classic bowl shape with a distinctive cantilever roof over one end. Its size was unusual given Verona’s league status, but it regularly fills up for Verona’s home fixtures. It’s easily accessible by tram and road. Today, it also hosts rugby (Italy internationals) and concerts. For Verona visitors, tours can be arranged through the club or by attending a match in Serie A or B (depending on promotion).

10. Stadio San Nicola – Bari

Stadio San Nicola in Bari is Italy’s striking “flower stadium” by Renzo Piano.

Capacity: 58,270 seats (third-largest stadium in Italy). It is the largest stadium ever built for a city with only one professional club.
Home Team: SSC Bari (currently in Serie B). It hosted Italy’s national team matches when needed.
Opened: 1990 (built for the 1990 World Cup). It features 26 petal-like sections and wide gaps between seats, creating its iconic “flower” appearance.
Notable Events: Hosted five games in the 1990 FIFA World Cup (group B matches). It was filled to capacity (58,270) for the first time during a Serie B playoff in 2014.

San Nicola stands out architecturally. From above it resembles a giant daisy. Despite Bari’s smaller club status, its modern design (by the famed architect Renzo Piano) makes it a must-see. The stadium also contains a hall of fame for local football and often rents out for concerts and pop events. Visitors to Bari can catch a Serie B game or explore the stadium exterior; travel guides note it as a landmark in Puglia.

Conclusion

Italy’s soccer stadiums in Italy offer fans a blend of history, passion, and architectural wonder. From the historic Meazza and Olimpico arenas – which hosted World Cups and Cup finals – to modern arenas like Juventus’s Allianz Stadium, each venue has its own story. These best soccer stadiums in Italy showcase Italian football culture at its finest: colorful tifos, storied rivalries, and unforgettable matchday experiences. Whether you’re planning to attend a Serie A match or simply touring famous football venues, visiting these top Italian stadiums should be on every fan’s bucket list.

Enjoy exploring these legendary Italian football arenas, and don’t forget to share this list with fellow fans on social media or comment on your favorite stadium below!

FAQs

Q: What is the largest soccer stadium in Italy?
A: The largest is (San Siro) in Milan, with about 80,000 seats. It hosts AC Milan and Inter Milan and is Italy’s biggest stadium by capacity.

Q: Which stadium in Italy was renamed after a player?
A: Napoli’s stadium was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in 2020 in honor of their legendary player. It was formerly called Stadio San Paolo, and it holds over 54,000 fans.

Q: Which stadiums are the home of the Rome derby?
A: Both AS Roma and SS Lazio share the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Olimpico has around 72,000 seats and hosts the famous Derby della Capitale.

Q: Who designed the flower-shaped stadium in Italy?
A: The Stadio San Nicola in Bari – third-largest in Italy – was designed by architect Renzo Piano. Its petal-like structure (26 sections) gives it a distinctive floral look.

Q: Which Italian stadium won the 2023 Serie A “Most Valuable Field” award?
A: Gewiss Stadium (Atleti Azzurri d’Italia) in Bergamo won that award for having Serie A’s best playing surface. The Atalanta stadium was praised for its high-quality pitch after recent renovations.

Each answer combines official data and expert sources, ensuring the information is accurate and up-to-date.