Stadio Flaminio: The Future Home of S.S. Lazio?

The Laziali

·26 December 2024

Stadio Flaminio: The Future Home of S.S. Lazio?

Lazio President Claudio Lotito presented a pre-feasibility study for the Stadio Flaminio to Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri on December 13th, 2024. The initial response suggests a positive outcome.

We are satisfied, we complimented the quality of the work presented to us. President Lotito and his team showed us the pre-feasibility study for the realization of the redevelopment of the project on the Stadio Flaminio. It is a beautiful project, it will have to be examined in detail but we are happy that it has been announced that the proposal will be formally launched, thus triggering the administrative procedure. Now we will work to examine it in detail. The basic lines of the idea are very nice, both that of redeveloping the Stadio Flaminio in a broader urban regeneration of the area and the design idea of enhancing the structure by helping to conserve it and expanding the capacity. These are procedures that require in-depth study of the papers, but I consider the fundamental points of the presentation positive. Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome

Claudio Lotito’s Vision for the Stadio Flaminio

Lotito envisions developing a state-of-the-art stadium with a capacity of 40,000 to 50,000 spectators and a retractable roof. He has also outlined plans for the comprehensive redevelopment of the surrounding Flaminio district, undoubtedly an ambitious undertaking.

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Our idea is to restructure this city asset which is the only stadium in Rome built for football. We are not just building the stadium for Lazio but for the City of Rome. It means redeveloping it in terms of traffic, acoustics, environment and initiatives for the people who live in the area for an investment of around 400 million euros.

We thought of closing the area with a restricted traffic zone when sporting events take place enabling everyone, especially those people who come from outside Rome, to reach the stadium with exchange car parks. The people who arrive with a ticket for the game will also have parking, so they can leave the car and with a shuttle, in six minutes, arrive inside the stadium. The area can only be reached by scooters and cycle paths. The aim is also to redevelop a bridge that had not been used and was then demolished and of which only the pylons remain. We will try to speed up the process, but it will probably take no less than three years to complete. Now there is a bureaucratic process to respect, we will proceed step by step, and we will present the official request. Claudio Lotito, President of S.S. Lazio

Stadio Flaminio’s Future: A Catalyst for Change

The Stadio Flaminio, currently an eyesore of crumbling concrete and overgrown weeds, desperately needs revitalization. While the city council has repeatedly urged Lotito to act, unclear directives have hindered progress. However, the situation has recently shifted.

The need for a revived Stadio Flaminio aligns with a national trend of modernizing existing locations. Recent examples include Juventus, Atalanta, Udinese, and Frosinone, all of which renovated or replaced outdated structures. This approach is gaining traction, with similar projects underway in Cagliari, Florence, and Bologna.

Stadio Flaminio | Photo Courtesy of Simon Basten From LazioStories.com | December 2024

Building a new stadium from the ground up in Italy presents significant challenges. The immense investment required, encompassing not only the stadium itself but also crucial infrastructure like roads and parking, necessitates strong political support and substantial public funding.

Lazio’s city rivals, Roma, have faced 10 years of setbacks in their stadium pursuit. The Tor di Valle project collapsed, and the proposed Pietralata location faces strong opposition. The potential success of the Stadio Flaminio project could potentially pave the way for a smoother path for Roma’s long-awaited stadium, which is estimated to cost a staggering one billion euros.

The Stadio Olimpico: A History of Shared Dreams & Unfulfilled Ambitions

The pursuit of independent stadiums for Roma and Lazio has a long history, dating back to the 1960s. While the Stadio Olimpico excels in athletics, its design, with the track separating the pitch from the stands, hinders the football experience. This significantly impacts fan engagement, particularly in the cheaper seats, where it’s difficult to clearly see goals scored at the opposite end.

The desire for club-owned stadiums gained traction in the 1990s. Presidents Sergio Cragnotti (Lazio) and Franco Sensi (Roma) proposed joint management or ownership of the Stadio Olimpico with CONI to enhance revenue. However, CONI, as the stadium’s owner, rejected this proposal, recognizing the substantial revenue generated from the current arrangement.

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: A detailed view of the corner flag inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 first leg match between SS Lazio and FC Bayern München at Stadio Olimpico on February 14, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

This perspective shifted dramatically with the realization of the lucrative potential of hosting concerts. Rome’s dearth of large outdoor venues, highlighted by the chaotic 1997 U2 concert at Urbe Airport, underscored the Stadio Olimpico’s unique value. Despite initial resistance to using the pitch, the financial incentives led CONI to embrace large-scale concerts.

Currently, the Stadio Olimpico’s concert season is confined to the summer months (excluding August), aligning with the Serie A break. However, a potential model explores a longer concert season, spanning April to October, by removing both Lazio and Roma league matches at the stadium. This shift would prioritize concert revenue while still accommodating major events like the Coppa Italia final and matches for the Italian national team.

History of the Stadio Flaminio

The area currently occupied by the Stadio Flaminio has a rich footballing history. Lazio’s initial home was Campo Rondinella, a stadium inaugurated in 1914. However, the onset of World War I forced the club to convert the pitch into a vegetable garden.

Following the war, Lazio returned to Campo Rondinella until 1931, when they moved to the Stadio Nazionale, the predecessor of the modern-day Flaminio. The Stadio Nazionale, built in 1911 and renovated in 1928 for the 1934 World Cup, also became home to Roma in 1940.

In 1953, both clubs relocated, leaving the Stadio Nazionale largely abandoned until the 1960 Rome Olympics. The existing stadium was demolished to make way for the current Stadio Flaminio, completed in 1957, while the Campo Rondinella became a parking lot.

Stadio Flaminio | Photo Courtesy of Simon Basten From LazioStories.com | December 2024

While Lazio occasionally utilized the Stadio Flaminio during the following decades, the 1990 World Cup renovations at the Stadio Olimpico necessitated a temporary return for both clubs.

Throughout the 1980s, the Stadio Flaminio emerged as a prominent concert venue, hosting iconic acts such as U2, Michael Jackson, Genesis, and the Rolling Stones. However, local opposition due to excessive noise eventually brought an end to these concerts.

From the early 2000s, the Stadio Flaminio served as the primary venue for Italy’s Six Nations rugby matches. However, the growing demand for a larger capacity stadium led to a shift to the Stadio Olimpico in 2012, marking the beginning of the Stadio Flaminio’s gradual decline.

Balancing Heritage & Modernity: The Hurdles of Redevelopment

The Stadio Flaminio has a storied history, but its revival has been plagued by obstacles. Numerous redevelopment attempts have faltered, largely due to the unwavering opposition from the heirs of its renowned architect, Antonio Nervi, who insisted on preserving the stadium’s original form. This stance has consistently hindered any plans for significant demolition and reconstruction.

Lazio, deeply rooted in the Flaminio, has long yearned to return to its historic home, a sentiment echoed by passionate fans. However, modernizing the stadium presents significant challenges. A complete overhaul is necessary, including lowering the structure, incorporating a roof, and providing adequate parking and infrastructure to support year-round usage.

These ambitious goals have been hindered by immense costs and the stringent regulations of the Superintendency of Fine Arts, which recognizes the stadium’s exceptional architectural value. However, a recent shift in the landscape offers renewed hope.

Stadio Flaminio | Photo Courtesy of Simon Basten From LazioStories.com | December 2024

Lotito’s redevelopment plan, presented on December 13, 2024, prioritizes the preservation of the original Nervi structure, a crucial step in gaining the support of the architect’s heirs. Notably, one of the Nervi heirs was present at the presentation and expressed their approval of Lotito’s vision. However, his ambition to redevelop the Stadio Flaminio faces competition from Roma Nuoto, who have proposed an alternative plan.

Roma Nuoto envisions a multi-sport facility, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, padel courts, and a hockey rink. This proposal minimizes the need for extensive infrastructure upgrades, such as new roads, parking, and transportation, making it a less disruptive and more easily implementable option.

The Path Forward

Both Lazio and Roma Nuoto will continue to refine their respective proposals in the coming months. The ultimate decision will rest with the city council, who must weigh the merits of a new football stadium against the proposed multi-sport complex; a new stadium for Lazio would not only benefit the club but also likely accelerate the development of Roma’s new stadium, fostering a broader consensus among stakeholders. One thing is for sure – there is a growing sense of optimism surrounding the future of the Stadio Flaminio.