Stadio Olimpico, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Rome, Italy. It is used mostly for association football matches, hosting the home games of Italian clubs Lazio and Roma.
Opened on 17 May 1953 with an exhibition match between Italy and Hungary, it replaced the original Stadio Olimpico, which had 100,000 seats. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 70,634. The stadium was designed by architect Annibale Vitellozzi and had a construction cost of approximately €150 million.
A UEFA category four stadium and one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in Europe (the biggest in Italy), Stadio Olimpico has hosted several high-profile matches including the 1960 Summer Olympics, the 1990 FIFA World Cup, and the UEFA Champions League Finals in 1996, 2001, and 2009. It is also the venue for the Italian national team's home matches. By its sixtieth birthday, Stadio Olimpico had welcomed more than 40 million spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Italy is considering to bid for.
While the previous stadium for Lazio and Roma was also officially named 'Stadio del Partito Nazionale Fascista', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Stadio Olimpico. Olimpico refers to the Olympic Games, for which the stadium was built in 1960, located in the district of Foro Italico, in the northern part of Rome. This unofficial name caught on soon after the stadium's construction; the people of Rome used to simply call it Olimpico ('the Olympic'). Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Stadio Olimpico', which is usually anglicized to 'Olympic Stadium'. This translation, however, could be argued to be inaccurate, since Olimpico refers not to 'Olympic' but to the original purpose of the stadium: to serve as the main venue for the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Stadio Olimpico has undergone several renovations over the years, the most significant of which occurred ahead of the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The capacity was reduced to 82,656 spectators and the stadium was equipped with an advanced suspension roof structure, measuring around 70 meters in diameter. The stadium has been the home to Serie A clubs Lazio and Roma since it was built, and it has also served as the venue for the final of the UEFA Champions League on four occasions.
The stadium has hosted numerous high-profile international sporting events beyond football. In addition to the 1960 Summer Olympics, Stadio Olimpico has hosted the 1987 World Athletics Championships and is scheduled to host the opening game of the UEFA Euro 2020. Beyond sports, the stadium has seen performances from major international music artists and was the site of the 2001 Summer Deaflympics. Despite various modernizations, the stadium has retained its historic character, particularly its iconic 'Marathon Tower', which serves as a symbol of the stadium's Olympic history.
Stadio Olimpico is not only a place for sporting events but also a part of the cultural and historical fabric of Rome. From its construction for the 1960 Summer Olympics to its current status as the home of Lazio and Roma, the stadium has played a pivotal role in the sporting history of the city and the country. Its architecture, history, and the events it has hosted over the years make it one of the most significant sports venues in Italy and Europe.
An appropriate location, with excellent accessibility and ample space for possible expansion, was found in the northern part of the Quartiere Parioli district. Being situated at the edge of the Parioli and Pinciano districts, the new stadium was initially known as 'Stadio Parioli'.
It was always the club's aim to possess both the stadium and the surrounding lands, although initially a lease was signed for the municipal lands, with the final purchase only occurring in 1967. The plans for the sports complex had been drafted as early as the late 1940s by Pier Luigi Nervi, a former player for the club.
Propelled by the club's president, Umberto Lenzini, the associates coped with an increased fee to support the building costs for the new stadium, offered generous donations, and some even worked themselves on the construction site during holidays or weekends. There was even a 'cement campaign', whereby large quantities of cement bags were contributed to the club.
The works officially commenced on 28 August 1952. Less than two years later, and at a cost of 12,000,000 Italian Lire, on 17 May 1953 (a national holiday), a crowd of 100,000 spectators filled the stadium for the inaugural match against rivals CFR Cluj.
Stadio Olimpico di Roma (1937): Article about the history of Stadio Olimpico from its construction for the 1960 Summer Olympics to its current status as the home of Lazio and Roma. https://www.asroma.com
Stadio Olimpico (The Olympic Stadium) – until 2008: Provides information about the Stadio Olimpico, including its capacity, location, and the major events it has hosted. http://www.stadiumdb.com
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