Photos by Stefano Romagnoli, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
Stadio Renato Dall’Ara Via Andrea Costa, 174 Bologna, Italy 40134
Year Opened: 1927 Capacity: 38,279
Home of Bologna FC
Stadio Renato Dall’Ara is the home of Bologna Football Club. Strongly supported by Leandro Arpinati (podestà of Bologna and president of FIGC), it was built between 1925 and 1926 to a design of the engineer Umberto Costanzini, while the tower that dominates the Maratona was designed by the architect Giulio Ulisse Arata and subsequently erected.
The official opening of the stadium took place on May 29, 1927 with a friendly match between the national teams of Italy and Spain, which were the kings of both countries. Italy won 2-0. Over 50,000 spectators filled the stadium on that occasion.
In almost ninety years, the facility has hosted six matches for the FIFA World Championships (Sweden-Argentina and Austria-Hungary in 1934, the United Arab Emirates-Colombia, Yugoslavia-Colombia, Yugoslavia-United Arab Emirates and England-Belgium in 1990); saw the Bologna Football Club win the Italian football championship on six occasions; and changed its name on three occasions (first Littoriale, later Comunale and since 1983 Dall’Ara).
Renato Dall’Ara was the president of the red and blue team from 1934-1964 and died a few days before the victory of the seventh and last championship in the history of Bologna Football Club.
The stadium has undergone major work, specifically at the end of the 1980’s in order to host the 1990 World Cup. Currently, the original building, recognizable by the red brick, is surrounded by a metal frame painted blue and yellow. The facility is composed of a grandstand, two curves and a Maratona.
Behind the Curva San Luca (in one alcove of which there are the fans of the visiting team) there is a large screen that projects the score and time of play during the match, as well as updates from other stadiums of the Serie A. Among the pitch and the stands there is an athletics track with eight lanes.
Finally, according to the Bologna FC website, in Tribuna Centrale there is Terrazza Fulvio Bernardini. It’s “an area of approximately 900sqm, newly built with glass walls, where the presence of a catering service of high-level, private lounges, large bar, vanguard audio and video technology, are some of the elements that provide in the moments of waiting, interval or after the game, an exclusive and refined atmosphere to live the stadium in a completely new way.”
Food & Beverage 3
There is a bar located in Tribuna Centrale. Inside there is the opportunity to purchase hot and cold drinks, hot and cold sandwiches, snacks, and ice cream.
Coffee, water, fruit juices and all other drinks are served in paper cups. With € 5 you’re able to purchase a coffee, water, and a salty snack.
Atmosphere 3
The entrance of the teams takes place by a tunnel that emerges in front of Curva Bulgarelli. The distance between the two stands and the pitch is about 15 meters. The distance between the two curves and the pitch is approximately 30 meters.
The view is great from every section of the stadium.
Neighborhood 4
The facility is located in the Saragozza neighborhood, an area southwest of the city center.
In this part of Bologna there are many restaurants, cafes, and bakeries to stop in before and after matches.
Fans 4
The most passionate fans follow the matches of Bologna Football Club by Curva Bulgarelli. Since 2009 this section of the stadium has been named after former player Giacomo Bulgarelli, midfielder of the team that won their seventh and final championship in 1964.
The match against Fiorentina is most heartfelt, called Derby dell’Appennino, named after the mountain range that separates the territories of Florence and Bologna.
Other rivalries are with Cesena, Modena, Parma, Juventus, Inter and Roma. The supporters of Siena are considered friends due to the common competition with Fiorentina.
Access 4
Getting to Renato Dall’Ara stadium is very simple. If you come from the highway you have to exit at Casalecchio-Borgo Panigale. If you come from the ring road you have to take out 1 or 2.
The railway station is 4 km away and is connected with Dall’Ara by public bus (named ATC).
Finally, the airport of Bologna “Guglielmo Marconi” is located about 8 km from Renato Dall’Ara.
Return on Investment 4
The facility is divided into the following sectors: Poltrona Gold, Tribuna Numerata, Tribuna Laterale, Distinti Centrali, Distinti Laterali, Curva Giacomo Bulgarelli, Curva San Luca, and Curva Ospiti.
Fans can buy tickets online to watch the home matches of Bologna Football Club. The most expensive section is called Poltrona Gold, while the cheapest tickets give access to the two curves.
Before each match it is helpful to read the team website if there are any discounts and special initiatives.
Extras 3
The cuisine of Bologna is considered one of the best in Italy. If you are traveling to Renato Dall’Ara stadium, before or after the match, then you have to make a stop at one of the restaurants in the neighborhood Saragozza. We recommend the lasagna bolognese or tortellini in brodo. For a quick snack there is a piadina with ham, arugula and squacquerone (a typical local cheese).
Must-see attractions in the city center are Piazza Maggiore and Torre degli Asinelli.
Also in Bologna you’ll find the oldest university in the West, the University of Bologna, founded in the late eleventh century (1088).