Stadio San Nicola
Stadio San Nicola is the home stadium of AS Bari. With a capacity of 58,270 seats it is the fourth largest stadium in Italy.
The stadium was built between 1987 and 1990, with the perspective of the 1990 World Cup that was going to be played in Italy. Its design is by Genovese architect Renzo Piano, who dubbed the stadium the “Spaceship”, because of the similarities in shape. The original design did not include an athletics track, but this was later added at the request of the Italian Olympic Committee CONI.
The stadium opened on the 3rd of June 1990 with a match between Bari and Milan (2-0). The stadium replaced Bari’s previous ground Stadio Comunale, also called Stadio della Vittoria.
During the World Cup, Stadio San Nicola hosted a total of five matches, most notably the round of 16 match between Czechoslavakia and Costa Rica (4-1), and the match for third place between Italy and England (2-1).
One year later, in 1991, the stadium hosted the European Cup (Champions League) final between Red Star Belgrade and Marseille (0-0).
Most remarkable aspect of the stadium is its upper ring consisting of 26 separate petals. Due to a lack of maintenance, the state of the stadium has significantly deteriorated in recent years and the club is currently considering an extensive renovation.
Getting there
Stadio San Nicola is located on the southern edge of the city of Bari, almost 8 kilometres from Bari’s historic centre, and 5.5 kilometres from Bari’s central railway station.
The stadium lies just south of the Tangenziale di Bari, the city’s ring road. Take exit 10B. The stadium is signposted coming from the west.
Stadio San Nicola is rather difficult to reach by public transport. From the central station take bus 20 in the direction of Autostrada BA-TA. The bus passes close to the stadium, however line 20 only has a dedicated stop at the stadium on the way back. Hence, it may make sense to change to a return bus 20 at either the last stop Autostrada BA-TA, or slightly earlier at Parco Adria. Get off at stop San Nicola. The whole trip will take you about 50 minutes.
Address: Stadio San Nicola , Strada Torrebella, 70124 Bari
Tickets
Tickets for Bari matches can be bought at the ticket office at the stadium, at the Bari Point on the Via Capruzzi (at the southern side of Bari’s central station), or at one of the branches of local bank Banca Popolare di Bari. Due to the large size of the stadium, Bari sells out very few matches.
Tickets for the short ends, the Curvas, cost €13.00. Tickets for the long ends range in price from €20.00 to €50.00.
Relevant Internet links:
Asbari.it – Official website of AS Bari.
Infopointbari.com – Bari tourist information.
Amtab.it – Public transport information for the city of Bari.
