Stadio Olimpico
Stadio Olimpico in Rome is the home stadium of AS Roma and SS Lazio, annual host of the Coppa Italia final, and has been host of many international finals in its history. Its current capacity is 72.698 seats.
Works to build the stadium started in 1928, with the first tier finished in 1932. Construction of the second tier was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War, but resumed in December 1950. The complete stadium was opened with a match between the national teams of Italy and Hungary on the 17th of May 1953. The capacity amounted to 100,000 at that time, mainly terraces.
With Rome hosting the 1960 Olympic Games, all standing places were converted into seats resulting in an capacity of 53,000. At the Games the Stadio Olimpico hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletic competitions. A few years later the stadium would host the Euro 1968 final between Italy and Yugoslavia (2-0 after a replay), and twelve years later once more the final of the European Championships, this time between West-Germany and Belgium (2-1).
After Italy got granted the 1990 World Cup the stadium underwent a major refurbishment, increasing its seating capacity to over 70,000, decreasing the distance from the curves to the pitch, and adding a roof to the stadium. Five matches were played at the stadium during the World Cup, among which the final between West-Germany and Argentina (1-1).
In 2007 the Stadio Olimpico underwent a restyling and upgrade in terms of facilities to make it suitable to host future Champions League finals. In its history it’s been host to four of such finals, the first in 1977 (Liverpool – Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1), the second in 1984 (Liverpool – AS Roma 1-1), the third in 1996 (Juventus – AFC Ajax 1-1), and the last in 2009 (Barcelona – Manchester United 2-0).
Getting there
Stadio Olimpico is located towards the north of Rome, about 4 kilometres north of Vatican City. It’s situated within the Foro Italica sports complex, a project initiated by Mussolini consisting of a variety of sports facilities. This influence can still be seen and the complex makes for a nice walk, especially since it’s enclosed by the river Tiber on one side, and a small nature reserve on the other.
To get to the stadium by car make your way to the Rome ringroad (G.R.A.) and take exit N5 towards Flaminia (the exit is on the north side of the G.R.A.). Follow the signs to Foro Italico.
The stadium isn’t on one of Rome’s two metro lines. It is easiest reached with tram 2, which passes the stadium on the other side of the river (stop Mancini). Tram 2 can be taken from metro stop Flaminio on line A, which is close to the Villa Borghese gardens and Piazza del Popolo.
Alternatively one can take bus 32 just North of Vatican City at metro stop Ottaviano. Get off at stop Piazzale della Farnesina.
Address: Via Foro Italico, 00194 Roma
Tickets
Tickets for AS Roma matches can be bought online, by phone +39 892 982 (Listicket call centre), or in person at one of the AS Roma stores, of which the ones at Piazza Colonna 360 and Via Appia Nuova 130 seem to be most centrally located. Tickets cannot be bought at the gates at the stadium on matchdays.
Prices depend on the level of the visitor team ranging from €13.00 to €68.00 for most opponents, but €20.00 to €96.00 for the bigger ones. Tickets for the matches between AS Roma and Lazio, Napoli, and Catania do not go on free sale due to security issues.
Tickets for SS Lazio matches can be bought online, by phone +39 892 982 (Listicket call centre), or in person at one of the Lazio Style 1900 stores. The store at Via Guglielmo Calderini 66/C is located close to the Stadio Olimpico, and is opened on the day of the match (no ticket sales at the stadium).
Tickets cost between €20.00 and €150.00. More information at info.biglietteria@sslazio.it or +39 (0) 6 3237333.
Most matches of AS Roma and SS Lazio do not tend to sell out, not even in their most successful seasons.
Relevant Internet links:
ASRoma.it – Official website of AS Roma.
SSLazio.it – Official website of SS Lazio.
Turismoroma.it – Official tourism website of the city of Rome.
Atac.roma.it – Rome’s public transport website.
