Italy’s biggest stadium aside from the San Siro, Rome’s Stadio Olimpico remains one of European football’s most iconic grounds.
While it may seem dated compared to its more modern, swankier counterparts, the Olimpico oozes history. From Italia ‘90 to four European Cup and Champions League finals, and the 1968 and 1980 European Championship, the Olimpico has played host to some of football and sport’s most iconic moments of the past six decades.
It is not just football that has been played out on its stage either, for Rome’s biggest ground was the host venue for the 1960 Olympics, the 1987 Athletics World Championships and has been Italy’s home in the Six Nations for the past 11 years.
Tucked away in Rome’s northwestern corner, the stadium surroundings could hardly be more idyllic as the Olimpico sits within the Foro Italico sports complex, which is enclosed by the river Tiber on one side and a park on the other.
The atmosphere inside the ground, however, is less rural setting and more modern-day Coliseum, particularly when Lazio and Roma face off in the Derby della Capitale, one of the most combustible derbies in Europe.
Almost entirely rebuilt for the 1990 World Cup, the Olimpico last had a face lift in 2007 to keep it eligible to host future Champions League finals.
And yet, for all its history, both Roma and Lazio have for decades expressed a desire to leave the Foro Italico venue to move to smaller stadiums owned by the clubs rather than by the Italian Olympic Committee – the Olimpico’s current landlord.
None of the plans have come to pass yet, with Roma’s proposal for a new stadium dealt another delay in April 2024. For the foreseeable future, the Olimpico will remain the home of football in the Eternal City.
Stadio Olimpico factfile
- Capacity: 70,634
- Clubs: Lazio and Roma
- Opened: 1928 (completed construction in 1953)
- Address: Viale dei Gladiatori, 2, 00135 Roma
How to get to the Stadio Olimpico
The Olimpico is located in northwestern Rome in the Foro Italico sports complex, which houses the tennis complex which annually hosts the Italian Open. The Olimpico is easily reachable both by public transport and by car.
From Rome train stations
The Metro line A is the easiest way to reach the Olimpico from Rome’s main train station, Roma Termini. The train in direction Battistini takes six stops to the Ottaviano stop, followed by a seven-stop ride on the 32 bus towards Saxa Rubra to the DeBosis/Stadio Tennis stop. From there, the Olimpico is a 15-minute walk away.
Alternatively, you can take the Metro line A in the same direction and get off four stops later at the Flaminio stop, then take the 2 tram towards Piazza Mancini and get off at the last stop, which is about 15 minutes away from the ground.
If travelling from Roma Ostiense station take the Metro line B in direction Rebibbia, then get off at Roma Termini after four stops and follow the directions above. Similarly, if travelling from Roma Tiburtina station, take the Metro line B in direction Laurentina and get off at Roma Termini after four stops.
Bus routes 31, 69, 168, 280, 301 and 628 all stop at the Stadio Olimpico. Visit the ATAC Website for more information.
From Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino airports
Take the train or bus to Rome termini station then follow the previous instructions.
How to buy public transport tickets
- You don’t need to buy tickets to use public transport in Rome, simply tap your card on the reader whenever you board a bus, tram or metro train.
How to get to the Stadio Olimpico by car
The Stadio Olimpico is a 15-minute cab journey from Rome Tiburtina and a 30-minute cab ride from Rome Termini train station. If you have a ticket for the De Bosis or Dodi gates, ask to be dropped off at Piazzale Maresciallo Diaz, while if you have a ticket for the Gladiatori or Olimpiadi gates, ask to be dropped off at Piazzale Maresciallo Giardino.
Drop offs and pick-ups are also available at Piazza Gentile da Fabriano, approximately 500m from the stadium across Ponte Della Musica.
If you’re travelling by car from Milan, Florence or Bologna, exit the A1 motorway at the G.R.A. junction (Rome’s ring road) towards Flaminia, then take exit 5 and follow the indications for the Foro Italico complex. If you’re travelling from Pescara, L’Aquila or anywhere east of Rome, exit the A24 motorway at the G.R.A. junction towards the A1 motorway, then take exit 5 and follow the indications for the Foro Italico complex.
Similarly, those driving from Naples and the south of Italy, should leave the A2 motorway at the G.R.A. junction towards the A1 motorway, then take exit 5 and follow the indications for the Foro Italico complex.
How to buy Roma tickets
Match tickets are available online on Roma’s official website.
How to buy Lazio tickets
Match tickets are available online on Lazio’s official website.
