Stadio Olimpico (Rome) – The Pride of Italy

The Stadio Olimpico is the largest capacity stadium in Rome Italy. It is one of the best sports stadiums in the world and it hosts plenty of sports events within itself. Two of the biggest sports which the Italians love to watch, Football and Rugby are hosted by this stadium regularly. Let us know more about Stadio Olimpico.

Basic Information about Stadio Olimpico

• Name: Stadio Olimpico
• Address: Pizzale del Foro Italico, 00135 Roma Rome, Italy.
• Capacity: 72,698 fans.
• Surface: Grass
• Area: 105 x 68 m
• Construction Broke: 1901
• Completed: 1928
• Opened: 1937
• Renovated: 1953
• Expanded: 1990
• Tenants: Lazio, A. S. Roma, Italian Football Team, Italian Rugby Team.

Major Sporting Events Hosted at Rome Olympic Stadium (Stadio Olimpico)

The Rome Olympic Stadium, also known as Stadio Olimpico, is a major sporting venue located in the Italian capital city. Since it was first built for the 1960 Summer Olympics, the stadium has played host to a variety of major sporting events. In this article, we will take a look at some of the major sporting events that have taken place at the Rome Olympic Stadium since the year 2000.

UEFA Champions League Final

One of the most prestigious events in European club football, the UEFA Champions League Final, has been held at the Rome Olympic Stadium on two occasions. The first was in 2009, when Barcelona defeated Manchester United 2-0 to win their fourth Champions League title. The second was in 2014, when Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra time to lift the trophy.

UEFA European Championship

The Rome Olympic Stadium has also played host to matches during the UEFA European Championship, a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men’s national teams of Europe. In 2000, the stadium was one of the venues for the UEFA European Championship, which was co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. A total of four matches were held at the Rome Olympic Stadium during the tournament, including the quarter-final between Italy and co-hosts the Netherlands, which Italy won 3-0.

Six Nations Rugby Union

The Rome Olympic Stadium has also played host to international rugby union matches, including several fixtures in the Six Nations Championship. The Six Nations is an annual international rugby union competition contested by the national teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Since its inception in 2000, the Rome Olympic Stadium has played host to several Six Nations matches, including Italy’s home fixtures against England, Scotland, and Wales.

Summer Olympics

The Rome Olympic Stadium was originally built for the 1960 Summer Olympics, and it has played host to several other major sporting events since then. In 1987, the stadium hosted the World Championships in Athletics, a biennial athletics event organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). And in 1990, it was the venue for the World Cup Final in Athletics, a biennial international track and field competition.

Other event hosted at The Rome Olympic Stadium

• 1960 Summer Olympics
• 1975 Summer Universiade
• 1977 European Cup Final
• 1984 European Cup Final
• 1987 World Championship of Athletics
• 1990 FIFA World Cup
• 1996 UEFA Champions League Final

The Rome Olympic Stadium, also known as Stadio Olimpico, has played host to a variety of major sporting events since it was first built for the 1960 Summer Olympics. From the UEFA Champions League Final and UEFA European Championship to the Six Nations Rugby Union and the Summer Olympics, the stadium has welcomed athletes and sports fans from around the world.

More about Stadio Olimpico

During its early days, the Stadio Olimpico used to be called Stadio dei Cipressi. It was designed and constructed as part of the Mussolini Forum which was again renamed Foro Italico after the Second World War.

After the War the stadium was reopened in the year 1953 with the new capacity of hosting 100, 000 people, hence the stadium was re-named Stadio dei Centomila. But when the Stadium hosted the 1960 Summer Olympic Games it was finally named Stadio Olimpico, which is its current name as well. In 1990 though the stadium went through reconstruction and a roof was also added to it. In 2007 to meet the UEFA standards to host the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final the stadium was restyled again and it installed high definition LED screens but the stadium was reduced to 73, 261 capacity.

Despite being an Olympic stadium, therefore exclusively dedicated to the sport, musical concerts were also held, in particular, the concert by Claudio Baglioni on 6 June 1998, which still holds the record attendance at the Olimpico with a total of over 90,000 spectators. , thanks to the fact that the stage was located in the centre of the stadium and the public surrounded it, filling all the seats.

Conceived in 1927 and originally known as the Cypress stadium, it was born from a project by Enrico Del Debbio, only to be revived in 1937 by Luigi Moretti and used as a stage backdrop for the games of the fascist period; abandoned during the war and used as a car park by the allied troops, in 1949 it was decided by CONI, its owner, to be completed by Annibale Vitellozzi, who completed it in 1953; at the time known as the Hundred Thousand Stadium due to the capacity that was around 100,000 seats, it was renamed Olympic Stadium after assignment to Rome of the Olympic Games of 1960.

Since the inauguration, which took place on May 17, 1953, it has hosted football competitions, athletics, and other sports, as well as non-sporting events such as concerts and scenic performances. Since 1953, barring very brief interruptions due to renovations, it has hosted the internal meetings of the two major professional football teams in the capital, Rome and Lazio; It also regularly hosts official athletics meetings and competitions, such as the Golden Gala since 1980, the European Athletics Championships in 1974 and the World Championships in 1987.

Moreover, since its opening, it has also hosted, albeit occasionally, international rugby matches at 15, and then definitively became the internal facility of the National Team for the matches of the Six Nations tournament, after the FIR of the Flaminio stadium.

Different Arenas at Stadio Olimpico

Stadio Olimpico, also known as the Rome Olympic Stadium, is a multi-purpose sporting venue that is home to several different arenas. From the main Stadio Olimpico di Roma arena to the smaller Stadio dei Marmi and Palazzetto dello Sport, the stadium has a range of facilities for a variety of sporting events. The Stadio Olimpico Tennis Center is also an important part of the complex, hosting major tennis tournaments throughout the year.

Stadio Olimpico di Roma

The Stadio Olimpico di Roma is the main arena at Stadio Olimpico, and it is used for a variety of sporting events, including football, rugby union, and athletics. The arena has a seating capacity of just over 70,000, making it one of the largest sporting venues in Italy. The Stadio Olimpico di Roma is home to two Italian football clubs: Lazio and Roma. It has also played host to several major sporting events, including the UEFA Champions League Final, the UEFA European Championship, and the Six Nations Rugby Union.

Stadio dei Marmi

The Stadio dei Marmi is a smaller arena located within Stadio Olimpico. It is used primarily for athletics and has a seating capacity of just over 6,000. The arena is named after the marble statues of athletes that surround it, which were donated by the Italian Olympic Committee to the city of Rome in 1932. The Stadio dei Marmi has played host to several major athletics events, including the World Championships in Athletics and the World Cup Final in Athletics.

Palazzetto dello Sport

The Palazzetto dello Sport is another arena located within Stadio Olimpico. It is used for indoor sports such as basketball, volleyball, and handball, and has a seating capacity of just over 5,000. The Palazzetto dello Sport has played host to several major sporting events, including the European Basketball Championship and the World Handball Championship.

Stadio Olimpico Tennis Center

The Stadio Olimpico Tennis Center is an outdoor tennis venue located within Stadio Olimpico. It has a seating capacity of just over 5,000 and has played host to several major tennis tournaments, including the Rome Masters, a prestigious ATP Tour event.

Concerts held at the Stadio Olimpico

When it comes to concerts, the Stadio Olimpico has played host to some of the biggest names in music. From rock and pop to hip hop and electronic, the stadium has seen it all. One of the most notable concert series to be held at the Stadio Olimpico was the “Concerti del Cuore” (Concerts of the Heart) series, which was held annually from 2003 to 2012. These concerts featured a variety of artists from all different genres and were organized to raise money for charity.

The Stadio Olimpico has also been the site of one-off concerts by some of the biggest names in the music industry. In 2003, for example, the legendary rock band Queen performed at the stadium as part of their “Queen Rocks” tour. The band was joined on stage by famous Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli. This concert was a great success, with thousands of fans from all over the world coming to Rome to see the band.

Another notable concert held at the Stadio Olimpico was the “Live Earth” concert in 2007. The event was part of a series of concerts that were held around the world to raise awareness about climate change. At the Rome concert, the audience was treated to performances by artists such as Eros Ramazzotti, Anastacia, and Duran Duran.

The stadium has also been a popular destination for big-name pop and electronic acts, In 2016, the electronic group Massive Attack performed at the stadium, showcasing their immersive 3D projections as part of the ‘Mezzanine XX1’ tour. The same year, Australian pop star Kylie Minogue performed a memorable concert, that was praised for being one of the best Kylie’s concert ever.

The Stadio Olimpico’s large seating capacity and excellent acoustics make it the perfect venue for concerts, and it’s no surprise that so many artists have chosen to perform there over the years. The stadium’s central location in Rome also makes it easy for fans to reach, with public transportation and ample parking options available.

When attending a concert at the Stadio Olimpico, fans can expect to enjoy a fantastic view of the stage from anywhere in the stadium. The seating arrangements are also very comfortable, with ample legroom and armrests. There are also a variety of concessions available, including food, drinks, and merchandise, so fans can easily purchase refreshments or souvenirs.

The Stadio Olimpico has been an integral part of Rome’s cultural landscape for many decades and has played host to some of the most memorable concerts in recent history. From rock and pop to electronic and hip-hop, the stadium has seen it all and continues to be a prime destination for music fans. The upcoming events are still to be announced, but the stadium’s fame and reputation promises to bring more of the world’s greatest music acts to its stage.

Cultural or historical sites in the area around Stadio Olimpico that travelers should visit

there are several cultural and historical sites in the area around the Stadio Olimpico that travelers should definitely consider visiting.

One of the most notable sites is the Villa Borghese, a large landscaped park located just north of the stadium. The park is home to several museums and galleries, including the Galleria Borghese, which features works by famous artists such as Bernini, Canova, and Raphael. Visitors can also take a leisurely stroll through the park’s beautiful gardens, which feature sculptures, fountains, and even a lake.

Another nearby cultural site worth visiting is the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia. This museum houses one of the most important collections of Etruscan artifacts in the world, including ceramics, bronzes, and tomb objects.

Another must see is the Foro Italico, which is located next to the Stadio Olimpico. The Foro Italico was built in the 1930s as part of Mussolini’s plans to establish Rome as the center of the fascist movement. Today, the complex is home to several sports facilities, including the Stadio Olimpico, but also a few historical landmarks and sculptures, such as the Arch of the Stadium, inspired by the ancient Roman triumphal arches and it was built to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the March on Rome.

The nearby neighborhood of Piazza del Popolo is also worth visiting for its beautiful architecture, including the famous twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto. This square also features a few lovely fountains, as well as a great place to catch a nice view of the city.

Finally, another great place to visit is the Museo della Civiltà Romana which is located in the nearby EUR district, this is a must-see for anyone interested in Roman history and archaeology, it houses a large collection of artifacts and models that illustrate the development of Roman civilization from the earliest times to the end of the Western Roman Empire.

All of these sites are within a reasonable distance of the Stadio Olimpico and can easily be reached by public transportation or by foot. So, there are many options for people who want to combine their love for sports and entertainment with culture and history.