Genoa and Sampdoria Stadium Guide: Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Few stadiums in Italy are as instantly recognisable as the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, or Marassi as it is known after the area it is located in.

First opened in 1911, the home of Genoa and Sampdoria is named after a former footballer and soldier who died while serving in World War I. With its iconic red walls and white girders it remains one of the greatest sights in Italian football.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of your visit.

What Makes It Special?

It is as easy to identify as the San Siro. For decades Marassi was something of an anomaly in Serie A. In a league dominated by grounds featuring a running track, the Ferraris, which was completely renovated for the 1990 World Cup, stood alone as an example of what Italians describe as a ‘Stadio all’Inglese’ – an English-style ground with stands very close to the pitch. 

It has always been one of the most picturesque stadiums in the country, characterised by its two Gradinate, flights of steps behind each goal rather than the traditional curved stands that are common at most Italian grounds. It all adds up to an electric atmosphere, especially when Genoa and Sampdoria square off in the Derby della Lanterna.

How To Get There

Genoa Brignole train station is a 25-minute walk from the Luigi Ferraris or a 15-minute bus ride, while Piazza Principe train station is a 25-minute bus ride. The ground is a 35-minute stroll from the old town and the Porto Antico area.

Map

Neighbourhood Tips

Roxy Bar is a stone’s throw from the Stadio Luigi Ferraris and is a meeting point for Genoa and Sampdoria fans, who congregate on the steps of the nearby Scalinata Montaldo to sip spritz and beers before the short walk to the ground. A bottle of lager will set you back a modest €3-€4 and if you are in town for an early kick-off, you can always ditch the ale for a double espresso instead.

Bar Sport is a Marassi institution. It is a five-minute walk from the stadium and regularly packed with Sampdoria and Genoa fans on matchdays. There’s a good selection of draught beers and, of course, the Campari spritz. This is also the perfect place to come to watch a game before heading to Marassi as it also has several big screens.

Need To Know

While Sampdoria and Genoa fans occupy both Gradinate during home matches, the Gradinata Sud is home to the Blucerchiati ultras, while the Gradinata Nord is the heartbeat of Rossoblu support.

Genoese are big on music and that is reflected at Marassi. Genoa warm up to You’ll Never Walk Alone and walk on the pitch to the tune of Guasto D’Amore, which roughly translates to ‘a broken heart for love’, written by Italian singer, and die-hard fan, Bresh.

The Blucerchiati have their own anthem written by the De Scalzi Bros, a now disbanded musical duo comprising two Sampdoria-mad brothers.

Tickets

The ticket collection booths are located across the road from the gates leading to the Tribuna – the main stand – on Via Giovanni De Pra. All the information about how and when to buy tickets for Genoa and Sampdoria matches can be found in our guides.