About stadium

Stadium introduction

Stadio Renato Dall’Ara first opened in 1927 under the name of Stadio Littoriale, and was designed by Leandro Arpinati who would later become the Mayor of Bologna. During the era of Italian Fascism variations of the stadiums name which paid tribute to the political party’s youth wing were popular, and were given to other stadiums such as ones in Palermo and Varese. Visited by Benito Mussolini himself in October 1926, and later on inaugurated on 29th May 1927 by the King of Italy who attended the first ever match between Italy and Spain, Littoriale Stadium initially had a capacity of 50,100. As one of the country’s largest and most modern stadiums at the time it was chosen to host two matches of the 1934 World Cup. After World War 2, Italian stadiums named during the fascist era were changed to politically neutral, and Renato Dall’Ara became Stadio Comunale in 1945. In 1983 it was renamed in to Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in honour of Bologna’s much loved president who served the club for over 30 years between 1934 and 1964. He presided over the club’s most successful period which brought home five Serie A titles. Selected as one of twelve venues for the 1990 World Cup, Stadio Renato Dall’Ara underwent significant renovation work in order to modernise the facilities including a new roof over the grandstand, better floodlights and refurbishment of the exterior façade. In total it hosted four matches including three matches of Group D and a round of 16 between England and Belgium. Now used predominantly to host home matches of Bologna F.C, the ground occasionally hosts rugby matches such as three international test matches in 1995. Despite rumours of the club attempting to build a new stadium, nothing has yet to come to fruition which means Bologna are likely to remain at Renato Dall’Ara for the foreseeable future.

How to get to the Stadium

Via Andrea Costa, 174, 40134 Bologna, Italy