Olimpico (Rome)

Olimpico (Rome)
Name	Stadio Olimpico
Fullname	Stadio Olimpico di Roma
Location	Foro Italico, Rome, Italy
Built	1928–1932 (original), 1950s–1960s (renovations), 1990–1991 (major renovation)
Opened	1937
Capacity	70,634
Tenants	Lazio, Roma
Surface	Grass
Architect	Enrico Del Debbio, Annibale Vitellozzi, Gino Levi-Montalcini, Paolo Amato

Olimpico (Rome) is the principal multi-purpose stadium in Rome, Italy, located within the Foro Italico sports complex near the Tiber River and the Ponte Duca d'Aosta. It serves as the home ground for S.S. Lazio and A.S. Roma and has staged major fixtures for UEFA, FIFA, and the FIGC. The venue has hosted editions of the UEFA European Championship, the 1987 World Athletics Championships, and the 1960 Summer Olympics football tournaments.

History

The stadium was conceived during the era of Benito Mussolini and commissioned under the auspices of the CONI and the Stato Italiano for the 1932 Italian National Games and later associated with the 1936 Summer Olympics legacy; early construction involved architects such as Enrico Del Debbio and engineers linked to projects for the E42 exhibition and the Esposizione Universale Roma. After World War II, administrators from FIFA and delegations from UEFA influenced mid-century additions to accommodate tournaments like the 1960 Summer Olympics and 1960 Olympic football. The stadium underwent a comprehensive modernization for the 1990 FIFA World Cup under direction influenced by figures in the Italian Olympic Committee and municipal authorities from the City of Rome.

Architecture and Facilities

The fabric of the stadium reflects interventions by architects such as Annibale Vitellozzi and structural engineers associated with projects like the Stadio dei Marmi and the Palazzo H within the Foro Italico. The bowl-shaped arena, athletics track, and tiered stands were designed to meet standards set by FIFA, UEFA, and the IAAF. Facilities include hospitality suites used by corporate partners like FIGC sponsors and media centers employed by broadcasters such as RAI, Sky Italia, BBC Sport, and Mediaset. Support infrastructure ties into complexes like the Stadio dei Marmi and the Foro Italico gyms, with medical suites equipped to the level required by organizations including the IOC.

Sporting Events

The Olimpico has staged club competitions under the aegis of UEFA including UEFA Champions League finals, UEFA Europa League matches, and qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2020. It was a venue for fixtures in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and hosted matches organized by FIFA such as World Cup qualifiers involving the Italy national team and friendlies against sides like Brazil and Argentina. Athletics meetings have been held under sanction from the IAAF and continental bodies like the European Athletics Association. Cup finals staging includes competitions administered by the FIGC such as the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa fixtures.

Notable Matches and Records

Memorable fixtures include the 1990 FIFA World Cup matches, the 1984 European Cup Winners' Cup final, and the 2009 UEFA Champions League fixtures hosted by A.S. Roma and S.S. Lazio during domestic campaigns. Record attendances were logged during derbies between Roma and Lazio as well as international clashes featuring the Italy against teams like England, France, and Spain. Athletics milestones at the venue were recorded during meetings sanctioned by the IAAF and featuring athletes from federations such as the FIDAL and national bodies like USATF delegations.

Transportation and Access

Access to the stadium is provided via Rome’s transport infrastructure including the Ponte Duca d'Aosta arterial routes, the A24 and ring road network, and public transit such as the Metro Line A stops, bus lines operated by ATAC, and tram connections to hubs like Piazza Mancini and Flaminio. Rail access links to stations like Roma Termini and suburban rail services overseen by Trenitalia and ATAC regional lines support spectators on matchdays. Parking and shuttle arrangements are coordinated with the City of Rome mobility office and law enforcement agencies including the Polizia di Stato.

Renovations and Future Plans

Major renovation phases were conducted for the 1990 FIFA World Cup modernization and subsequent upgrades to meet UEFA stadium categories, involving stakeholders such as the CONI, the FIGC, and municipal authorities from the City of Rome. Future proposals have included retractable roof studies influenced by firms experienced with Allianz Arena and Wembley Stadium projects, seating reconfiguration to comply with UEFA Category 4 standards, and heritage conservation aligned with the Foro Italico master plan and protections under Italy’s cultural authorities such as the MiBAC. Dialogue on financing has involved entities like Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, private investors, and public-private partnership frameworks under scrutiny by the European Commission procurement rules.

Category:Sports venues in Rome