Football
Stadio Luigi Ferraris is a monument to football. Named after the legendary Genoese footballer Luigi Ferraris, this iconic stadium serves as the home ground for both Genoa CFC and UC Sampdoria, two of Italy’s most successful football clubs. With its rich history dating back to its inauguration in 1911, Stadio Luigi Ferraris has hosted memorable matches and moments of the Italian football culture.
Beyond its sporting significance, the stadium’s architectural design and cultural impact make it a regional landmark, drawing fans and visitors from all over the world to experience its unique looks.
Join us as we go through some of the most important moments and curiosities about this building representing the country’s love for sports and football legacy. We will cover all the details you need to know to become an expert on the matter, from essential events the stadium hosted to information about its capacity and construction.
Here’s what you need to know:
Table of Contents
Who Was Luigi Ferraris
The name of this stadium is a tribute to a player named the same who was born and raised in Italy. He was not only a football player but also an engineer and soldier, being an important figure for the city where he lived and the entire Italian nation. Sadly, he died in 1915 during World War I, being only 27 years old.
His football career started in 1902 when he joined the Genoa team. He stayed on the same team his entire career and played for Genoa for nine years, resulting in numerous awards and victories, including the reserve championship against Juventus in 1904.
Location and Construction of Stadio Luigi Ferraris
The arena is in a privileged location, right next to the city centre and just a few steps from the San Giorgio Metro Station. This makes it one of people’s preferred venues for games and events of all kinds. Even though it is not located in Rome, it is fairly easy to travel from there to any part of the country, whether by train or any other means.
It is also next to the famous Bisagno River and close to some of the main tourist attractions Genoa offers. If you’re planning a visit to Italy or live nearby, it is worth visiting the region.
Access is very easy, and you can get it through Principe Station, Piazzale Kennedy, or any other famous spot in the region. You can also use car ride services like Uber if you prefer, as they have pickup and dropoff spots for them as well.
Its construction was finished in January 1911, when it officially opened for games. Through its century of existence, it passed through renovations and improvements in the upper tier chairs, roof, and many other aspects, becoming one of Italy’s most modern arenas despite the classic look from its time.
Curiosities and Facts About Luigi Ferraris Stadium
Now, we will show you some of the main details about this iconic arena and why it plays such an important role in Italian history and the entire football world. Make sure to take a look at each aspect below, and you’ll become an expert on the matter.
From structure details to important matches, we will cover every aspect this international stadium has to offer. Here’s everything about Stadio Luigi Ferraris and its legacy in the football universe:
Arena’s First Match
It is crazy to think that this stadium’s first match happened over a century ago. As one of the oldest football fields in the world, Luigi Ferraris hosted its first match in January 1911. The match was a friendly game between Genova, the city’s team, and Internazionale. The arena hosted 20,000 visitors from all over Europe to enjoy the match that’d be the first of many to happen in one of the country’s most important monuments.
Its first international match didn’t take too long, either. In December 1912, it hosted a friendly game between Italy and Austria. These were the first of many events that would make this venue one of the most important in Italy.
Important Events in Luigi Ferraris Stadium
As expected from such a popular venue, several significant events happen yearly on its grounds. From football games to other sports and concerts, there are no limits to what the area can host.
In 1990, it was the stage for one of the world’s most important competitions twice. The FIFA World Cup organized matches in the arena in 1934 and 1990, hosting games from teams like Brazil, Romania, and many others.
For the second time, the competition happened in the country, the stadium was completely dismantled and rebuilt, including an expanded pitch, new seats around the field, and many new structures to provide the best experience possible for those buying tickets to the events.
Beyond football, the arena also hosted other sports, like the end-of-year rugby union international match against Argentina in 2014. The South American team won the game with a score of 20-18 against the Italian league. Other important events in the stadium include Derby della Lanterna and other competitions that happen throughout the year for various sports.
You Can’t Tour the Stadium
If you ever wanted to visit the pitch and take a closer look at each part of this incredible structure built to represent the Italian power in the sport, you might be a little disappointed to know that there are no options for touring around the stadium. You can walk around the stadium and visit some of the main rooms during match days, but it is closed to visitors throughout the year, unlike other arenas in the country.
Some of the rooms require permission from the staff, so make sure to get informed about these details before trying to walk around the corridors of this fortress. However, even though the stadium itself is not open for group visits or anything like that, you can still visit the museum and shop, where you can find incredible items to see and souvenirs to purchase, like shirts and many other gifts.
Genoa Beyond the Stadium
Even though Genoa is not located right next to Rome and other main attractions and country destinations, it is undoubtedly one of the most unique cities you can visit in the Italian territory. From its unique looks to the beautiful waters ready for you to swim and dive, the variety of options is endless.
Whether you’re planning on going to a game in the city or are looking for a new destination for your vacation, this is a great option. And the best part is that it goes far beyond just the stadium.
The city has excellent tourist attractions, including great restaurants and varied activities that you can do around this charming municipality. For example, after visiting the stadium area, you can go to Genoa’s aquarium to see some of the most unique species of fish in the entire region or plan a dinner at Retrocucina, one of the best restaurants in the country. The possibilities are endless, and you’ll always find something that grabs your attention in this fantastic region.
The 1987 Rebuilding Process
As mentioned earlier, the arena was almost entirely rebuilt for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. This entire process was an enormous investment of time and money, starting in 1987 with a project developed by architect Vittoria Gregotti.
It took over two years to complete, and the entire process was planned so that Genoa CFC and Sampdoria could still play their matches without interference. The entire operation was a success, and today, the total capacity is over 32,000 seats for national and international matches.
During the 1990 World Cup, the stadium received three group matches and one game of the round of 16 between the Republic of Ireland and Romania. The event was a success and marked the stadium as one of the most essential Italian venues to date.
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